Crowds numbers at the Melbourne Cup carnival have improved for the first time in 10 years.

With a bumper crowd coming to Stakes Day on Saturday despite the chilly and windy weather, the carnival's total attendance over the four days was 318,854.

Although numbers had been continuously decreasing since the 2006 high of 418,069, that's about 5000 more than last year.

Crowds for Derby and Oaks Day were higher this year but the Cup Day crowd dipped below 100,000 for the first time since 2004.

Stakes Day saw 70,351 come through the turnstiles for the traditional family day, making it the third best attended day of the carnival.

Children under the age of 16 were also granted free entry on Saturday.