From Sunday 6 April, the end of day light saving, new opening hours will be implemented to ensure there is clear and consistent public access.

To improve understanding, consistency and to make access times simple for everybody to understand, set times for access will be implemented as:

Daylight Saving Period (October – March):              6.30am opening to 8pm closing

Non-Daylight Saving Period (April – September):    7am opening to 5.30pm closing

This will replace the current “sunrise to sunset” arrangements which require the opening and closing hours to change constantly.

This will also ensure that there are clear and consistent opening hours for people to plan and use the Reserve and will also ensure all users safely exit the Reserve before dark.

In addition to the more consistent opening hours, the track will no longer close in the days leading up to a race day. This is a significant improvement that will result in all entrances to the Reserve, including Queens Avenue and Glen Huntly Gates being open for over 330 days of the year.

Track closures will occur on race days and during training such as jumpouts, gallops and trials.  The Trust will work with MRC to improve public access while also maintaining safety of everyone as a priority.

The opening hours will increase during the spring and summer months in line with day light savings, which will occur on Sunday 5 October 2025.

Importantly, these changes will avoid the confusion of sunset and daylight hours and users having to predict how much longer the Reserve will be open for and what time it will open.