For thousands of Victorians, the only way to welcome in 2018 was to be a part of the Hanging Rock race meeting.
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In fact, for over 150 years, Hanging Rock has hosted hundreds of thousands of racegoers to its unique track in the shadows of the famous feature.
Racegoers queued from early on New Year's Day to find a spot close to the running rails. At the same time the local pony club managed to keep 500 kangaroos at bay, allowing one of Australia's most well-known race meetings to proceed.
With only six races on the card, the crowd swelled to nearly 7000. With talk that Peter Weir's famous movie, Picnic At Hanging Rock, was going to be re-shot, it excited locals and visitors.
"It's not Flemington or Royal Ascot, it's Hanging Rock and we love it. A cold beer, slow horses and catching up with old friends is what a day at the Rock is all about," one veteran punter said.
A large sign next to the lake inside the racecourse says "DANGER NO SWIMMING. DEEP WATER". Another reminds racegoers: "Beware! Snakes located around this location."
However, brave New Year's Day racegoers are not concerned by such warnings, with many diving in after the running of the final event.
