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We've put together a list of events taking place on Australia Day throughout the country - but Aussie is a big place! If we missed something exciting going on in your area, make sure and let other readers know by mentioning it in the comment box below. Now, here's what's on in...
...New South Wales
Australia Day 2013 Breakfast on the Beach
Where: Bert Payne Reserve next to Newport Beach,Barrenjoey Road, Newport
When: 7am-11am, Saturday 26th
Cost: Free
What: Enjoy a traditional BBQ breakfast from 7am with live music. Try your hand at thong throwing and enter the sack races on the beach.
There will also be roving entertainment, amusement rides and face painting for the kids. Meet Pittwater's Australia Day Ambassador and welcome 40 brand new citizens at the citizenship ceremony at 8am.
Sample Sydney - Sydney Opera House
Where: The Sydney Opera House
When: Saturday, 26th
Cost: Free
What: On Australia Day, the Sydney Opera House will be home to delicious pop-up food stalls, live music and DJ entertainment, free activities for kids, tours, entertaining shows and a discount box office offering $25 same day performance tickets.
Highlights include: family shows Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat and ImaginOcean, Opera Australia’s II Trovatore, and the cheeky and clever My First Time and La Soiree.
...Victoria
Australia Day Cider Festival
Where: Brunswick Street Cider House, 386-388 Brunswick St Fitzroy
When: 12pm-1am, Saturday, 26th
Cost: $25 for the cider tasting session (12 noon - 4pm).
What: Meet the creative genius behind the Australian market’s leading ciders. Some of the ciders on show include traditional-method French cider, commercial grade and traditional apple ciders, fortified cider, apple & fruit wine infused ciders and barrel-aged cider. Tickets Include:
Australia Day Picnic and Vehicle Display
Where: Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne
When: 11am-4pm, Saturday, 26th
Cost: Free
What: Kings Domain Gardens hosts free family activities, including arts, crafts, sporting activities, entertainment, displays, food stalls - and over 450 vintage and classic vehicles.
Among the stars on the stage will be legendary jazz trumpeter James Morrison (12 noon – 2pm) and an aerobatic display by the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes will take place (approximately 2pm and subject to operational demands and weather conditions).
Festival of Sails
Where: Geelong Waterfront
When: 10am-9pm, Saturday, 26th to Monday, 28th
Cost: Free
What: Held over the Australia Day Long Weekend, the 169th Festival of Sails is historically linked to a sailing regatta and the Geelong Waterfront comes alive with a free community festival for all the family.
The event features live music acts across three stages; kids rides; animal petting zoo; face painting; roving performers and street performers; an on-water and much more. Bob the Builder will be making an appearance on Monday, while Saturday will see the skies light up with the Bay FM Fireworks Spectacular at sunset.
...Northern Territories
Australia Day fun at the Territory Wildlife Park
Where: Territory Wildlife Park, Berry Springs
When: 11:30am to 1:30pm, Saturday, 26th
Cost: Regular entrance fee ($26 adult, $13 child, under-fives free)
What: The Territory Wildlife Park is set within 400 hectares of natural bush land including wetlands, monsoon forest and a crystal clear spring. Australia Day celebrations will include animal encounters, giveaways and prizes, a water slide and a sausage sizzle BBQ in the picnic area.
...Western Australia
The Havaianas 2013 Australia Day Challenge Perth
Where: Cottesloe Beach, Cottesloe
When: All day, Saturday 26th
Cost: Registration is $30 at the venue or $25 on the website
What: Australia's favourite summer event will be hitting five beaches nation-wide as the country attempts to set a new world record for the longest line of giant inflatable havaianas thongs joined in the water.
Now in its eighth year, the Havaianas Australia Day Challenge continues to raise funds for charity with $10 from every registration going to the local Nippers club at each state's beach.
...Canberra
Australian Citizenship Ceremony
Where: Rond Terrace, Commonwealth Park
When: 9am-10am, Saturday, 26th
Cost: Free
What: Chair of the National Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist, will be the host officer at the Australia Day National Flag Raising and Citizenship Ceremony.
Australia's Federation Guard will raise the Australian national flag in the presence of the Governor-General and Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will conduct the Australian Citizenship Ceremony and welcome Canberra's newest Australian citizens.
...South Australia
Wilmington Night Rodeo
Where: Wilmington Rodeo Grounds, Main North Rd, Wilmington
When: 7pm-11pm, Saturday, 26th
Cost: $20 Adult / $6 Children under 15 / $15, 15 – 18 years / $50 Family (2 adults, 3 children)
What: Bring your chairs and grab a spot on the lawn early because a crowd of around 2,000 people is expected to arrive in time for the 7pm start. Settle in, crack out the picnic basket or grab some food or a drink from the many available outlets, and get ready for a fun-filled night.
Riders from around the country will tackle bulls and saddle bronco. There will be open bareback competitions, rope-and-tie challenges, barrel racing and plenty more entertainment. If you want to look the part, there will even be clothing stall and a live band will play until 2.00am
...Tasmania
Henley-on-Mersey
Where: Bells Parade, Latrobe
When: 9am-4pm, Saturday, 26th
Cost: Free
What: Celebrate the uniqueness of Australian culture at Henley-on-Mersey as you try your hand at a different take on activities that scream Aussie: Ferret Racing and Ferret Chocolate Wheel, Betta Boat Race, Aqua Roller Racing, Archery, Whip Cracking, Egg Throwing, Sheaf Tossing, Spud Picking, Triathlon, Great Aussie Cherry Spit, Remote Control Boats, Historic Machinery Exhibition, Helicopter Rides, Gumboot Throwing, Hurdy Gurdy, Art Exhibition, Cooking Demonstration, Wood Chopping, Veteran Car Exhibition, Little Athletics; Vegetable Figurine Competition, Nearest the Pin, Basketball, Cricket, Visions of Australia, Tasmanian Navy Band - plus a cornucopia of food and refreshments available throughout the day.
...Queensland
Australia Day Great Aussie Meat Pie Challenge
Where: Cazalys Cairns, 344 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt
When: 12pm-6pm
Cost: Free
What: The day kicks off with family fun in the Allen Aylett room. The Bopstars will be entertaining during the day and there will also be face painting, a giant jumping castle and slide.
The 'Great Aussie Meat Pie Challenge' is also back. Once again, man will verse stomach in a battle to win $1,000 cash from 12:30pm. If you think you’ve got what it takes to lead your stomach to victory, then give it a go. It's all about the fastest time, so if your friends and family are always telling you to “chew your food” this could be the sport for you.
Fish, Fun and Aussie Sun
Where: Suttons Beach, Marine Parade, Redcliffe
When: 10am-4pm, Saturday, 26th
Cost: Free
What: Featured events include a DJ and dance arena, beach games, mud crab races, ice-cream eating competitions, roving entertainment and amusement rides.
And finally,
You know you're Australian when...
1. You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto etc.
2. You know that there is a universal place called “woop woop” located in the middle of nowhere… no matter where you actually are.
3. You know that while we call our friends ‘mates’, we don’t use terms like ‘sheila’ and ‘shrimp on the barbie’, contrary to popular belief.
4. You know that none of us actually drink Fosters beer, because it tastes like crap. But we let the world think we do. Because we can.
5. You have at some time in your life slept with Aeroguard on in the summer. Maybe even as perfume.
6. You have the ability to compress several words into one – ie ‘g’day’ and ‘d’reckn?’. This allows more space for profanities.
7. You’ve used the words – tops, ripper, sick, mad, rad, sweet – to mean good. And then you place ‘bloody’ in front of it when you REALLY mean it.
8. You know the first verse to the national anthem, but still don’t know what “girt” means. And you’re ok with that.
9. You know that backyard cricket is a nice way to bond with family and the rubbish bin. And the ‘one bounce, one hand’ rule always applies.
10.You know Australia IS the best bloody place on earth. Bar none
