Actress and fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker marks her first visit to Melbourne with a whirlwind of activities and excitement.

The Hollywood rstar landed in Sydney Monday amidst much fuss over the escalating Qantas airline crisis. Switching flights from Qantas to Emirates last minute further delayed her arrival.

Reports say the style diva made a beeline for her hotel suite at the Crown Plaza as soon as she arrived. Best known for her extravagant couture wardrobe in the hit television series "Sex and the City," Parker emerged from the plane dressed casually in a long-sleeved cotton tee and a wool wrap. She stopped just long enough to sign DVDs for eager fans waiting.

Her husband Matthew Broderick and children are nowhere to be seen, but the diminutive actress is accompanied by an entourage of seven that includes her long-time personal stylist Tracy Cox.

Parker, 46, will be presenting the Crown Oaks trophy at the Melbourn Cup carnival on Thursday. There will also be a press conference for her new film, "I Don't Know How She Does It" on Wednesday.

The Douglas McGrath romantic comedy features Parker with Pierce Brosnan and Kelsey Grammer. It chronicles the ups and downs of a female finance executive who is the breadwinner of her family.

Other celebrities are slated to make an appearance at the Melbourne Cup festivities.

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese has already made rounds on opening day, having landed in Oz the previous week.

Von Teese is in good company among other fashion-forward guests

Kim Kardashian, with sister Khloe, will be flying in from New York tonight. Hopefully, the reality duo will touch base in time to catch an exclusive party in King's Cross on Wednesday night.

Golden Globe winner Joan Collins, former Home and Away actress Sharni Vinson and rock group Kings of Leon are also expected to attend.

New York Hollywood Qantas Golden Globe