5 best places to spend Australia Day
Mark our national day in style.
1. Bondi Beach, Sydney
Join the crowds and head for Sydney’s most famous beach. Thousands of people – locals and tourists alike – spend Australia Day at Bondi, setting up on the sand with picnics and music from the early morning. There’s a festive atmosphere all day and you’ll probably make lots of new friends. As the sun sets, retreat to the pub to toast the nation with a beer or two.
2. Brisbane Waterfront
Australia Day celebrations in Brisbane centre around the river. You can start the day with a kayak along the river, stopping off at one of the many parks for a good old fashioned sausage sizzle. From 7.30pm there’s a stunning fireworks display held at South Bank Parklands. Entry is free, but you’ll need to get there early to secure a good vantage point.
3. Kingston Beach, Tasmania
Kingston is on the outskirts of Hobart and on Australia Day the local beach regatta club is hosting A Day on the Beach. It’s a whole day of entertainment, activities, celebrations and more. Watch surf lifesaving displays and surf boat races, join in the tug o war or sand castle building competitions, and eat at one of the many food stalls or barbecues. The highlight of the day is the huge inflatable thong race in the ocean.
4. Regatta Point, Canberra
Regatta Point, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, is the place to be for Australia Day in the ACT. From 4pm there’s a huge Australia Day Concert, which starts with a traditional Welcome to County ceremony, followed by performances by local choirs and big Aussie bands. It all culminates with a fireworks display over the water.
5. Langley Park, Perth
The whole of Langley Park in East Perth becomes an entertainment zone for Australia Day. There’s carnival rides, petting zoos, market stalls, sausage sizzles, adventurous activities, and death defying stunts from BMX and motocross riders. The Skyworks pyrotechnic display starts from 8pm with fireworks to be set off from points all around the river.
Have you been to any of these places? What are your plans for Australia Day this year? Let us know in the comments section.