WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO FIND THE BEST AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS THIS YEAR
Celebrated annually on January 26, Australia Day is one of the country’s most significant holidays – where Australians from all backgrounds gather together with pride to honour their national day. The date marks the commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain, exhibiting the cultural diversity of the nation, as well as its past and future accomplishments.
Since Australia Day 2016 is an appointed public holiday, Aussies celebrate everything that’s fun and special about being Australian with hundreds of remarkable and glorifying events and activities happening across the nation.
VroomVroomVroom has gathered the most popular and exciting festivities and events to celebrate this year’s Australia Day for some family time.
1. Deemed as a relaxed day best enjoyed with family and friends, there are lots of activities you can do during Australia Day, including organising a picnic or barbecue in the park with friends and family, chilling by the pool or going to the beach, watching the Australian Open, cricket and other sports events, attending music festivals, and enjoying spectacular fireworks display.
Australia Day in Canberra
2. In Canberra, the annual Australian of the Year awards takes place in a ceremony at the lawn of Parliament House. Four awards are given to people for their outstanding achievements and significant contributions. The award categories are: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero. These award recipients get an opportunity to enjoy tea with the Prime Minister and lunch with the Governor General.
Australia Day in Sydney
3. In Sydney, the event usually kicks off as early as 7:30 am at the harbour, with a flag raising of the Aboriginal and Australian flags on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The prestigious event begins with the lighting of an honorary fire at the Sydney Opera House, which is carried to the Tribal Warrior, an Aboriginal vessel. The ship is used to train indigenous skippers and maritime workers, and offers cultural cruises, in its usual working week.
4. Also celebrated in Australia Day Sydney is the annual Ferrython spectacle, which begins at 11 am. Cheer on your favourite ferry as they vacate Circular Quay for Shark Island and make their final dash again to Sydney Harbour Bridge.
5. Gather up your friends and head down to the Harbour at 12 pm at the Bradford Park to witness the famous 21-gun salute, plus an aerial flyover of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) jets.
6. Join the fun with some of Sydney’s most exemplary vessels, which come in all shapes and sizes flaunting around the harbour. If you are a boatie, head down to Athol Bay and chill out whilst waiting for a special visit from the Cruising Concert.
7. Have a grand time, sizzle in the summer sun and watch concerts and outdoor performances. There are two free concerts scheduled at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Australia Day 2016. Wiggle and sing with The Wiggles alongside Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword, and Dorothy the Dinosaur from 10.00 am – 11.00 am, while singer Jessica Mauboy, Justice Crew and Australia’s best talent are scheduled to perform from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm. Since Australia Day also falls during the Sydney Festival. You may want to visit their official website to get a list of the cool performances scheduled on January 26.
Australia Day in Melbourne
8. In Melbourne, go and celebrate the colourful parade, which takes place on Swanston Street, then crosses Princess Bridge and moves forward into Kings Domain. Be one with the appreciative crowd of spectators lined up in the streets, waving flags and banners, and cheering on the participants.
9. Also worth visiting during the Australia Day in Melbourne is the Kings Domain Gardens, which hosts a classic car show with more than 450 classic vintage cars on display in the gardens from 10 am. At 3:30 pm, the cars leave the gardens and parade through the streets. And if that’s not enough for you and you dig a day of celebration, then be at the Docklands in the New Quay Piazza to enjoy special performances, live music and other fun activities. You can shop and feast till you drop. Wrapping up the fun is a spectacular fireworks display.
Australia Day in Brisbane
10. In Brisbane, the Parklands at South Bank is an ideal place to bring your family and friends for a day of music, swimming, interactive art installations, and watch the breathtaking evening fireworks display.
Australia Day in Perth
11. In Perth, drive down to the Langley Park overlooking the Swan River to witness the state’s biggest annual fireworks display. Not to be missed is the pony and camel ride, as well as the laser and water show.
12. Australian citizenship ceremonies are also held in selected towns and cities. A very large number of people become Australian citizens on Australia Day every year.
There are plenty of events to see on Australia Day and majority of them are family-friendly. Make your Australia Day 2016 celebration an event worth remembering and a hassle-free holiday by renting a car so you can catch up with your friends, family or kids anytime, anywhere. Let VroomVromVroom assist you in booking a car hire – whether you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, or Brisbane – we’ve got you covered.
