HAWAIIAN shirts, surfboards and wetsuits might not be typical race day attire but all could be spotted at the Bendigo racecourse on Saturday.

About 4000 punters filled the track for the annual Bendigo Jockey Club Crust Pizza Beach Party, to watch the Caulfield Cup on a giant super screen.

Bendigo Jockey Club chief executive Ian Hart said the beach party theme had been running for a number of years and was wholeheartedly embraced by attendees.

He said the best costumes included people dressed as lifesavers, bananas in pyjamas and one person who came as a horse.

"We've had a very big day with glorious weather and lots of people coming from outside of Bendigo," he said.

"We've had this theme going back for two or three years and people love it."

He said a  $500 shoot-out with members of the Australian Netball Diamonds was a hit.

"It was great having the Australian Diamonds here to add a bit of colour," he said.

He said while everyone had been "having a flutter" on bets and enjoying several alcoholic beverages, the crowd had been well behaved.

He said Bendigo band Switch got people in the party mood. He said the party was a terrific prelude to the 2014 Bendigo Cup, to take place on October 29.

To see more photos of the day, click here.