How to Celebrate Australia Day

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 4, 2021 References

January 26th is Australia Day, a national public holiday that celebrates the nation’s diversity and achievements. The holiday marks the day that the first fleets arrived from Britain.^{[1]
X
Research source} There are tons of ways to celebrate. Show your national pride by whipping up your favorite Australian foods, singing along to patriotic songs with your mates, making Australia-themed crafts, and watching the fireworks. Don’t forget to throw on some Australia Day gear for the festivities!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Celebrating with Food and Drink

1
Grill some meat on the barbie. Nothing says Australia Day like a little BBQ. Grilled sausages and steaks are always a hit. If you want to get really authentic, make indooroo, an Australian dish featuring kangaroo steaks marinated in mango, chili, garam masala, and curry powder.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Host your own BBQ, or head to a friend’s.
2
Pick up a “slab” of beer. A “slab,” or carton of Australian beer, is a refreshing addition to any Australia Day celebration. Store your slabs in a cooler. For really big gatherings, fill your bathtub with ice and pop in a few slabs.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Little Creatures Pale Ale, Coopers, Boag’s, and VB are some Aussie favorites.
Advertisement
3
Try a Tim-Tam slam. Tim Tams, chocolate-covered biscuit treats, are a sweet Australian staple. Grab a hot coffee, nibble the ends of your Tim-Tam, and use it as a straw. When it becomes nice and soft, “slam” it into your mouth and enjoy the moist, chocolatey goodness.^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Make Pavlova. A Pavlova is a giant, fluffy meringue topped with sweet cream and fruit. Although the New Zealanders claim it was their invention, every Aussie knows that Pav is Australian through and through. Buy a Pav, or make your own.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Strawberries, passion fruit, and kiwis make great toppings.
5
Have an Australian cook off. Have friends and family members cook their favorite Aussie dishes. Then, everyone tastes and votes. One rule: no voting for your own dish.
- If you want, you can have a more specialized cook-off. Have friends compete to make the best Australian desert or grilled kangaroo.
- Give the winner a patriotic prize, like an Australian flag apron or a case of Australian beer!
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Celebrating with Activities

1
Head to a community event. Most Australian communities will put on a few public events for Australia Day. They may have festivals, concerts, sports matches, and parades. Check your community’s event calendar for a run down of the local festivities.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you’re feeling adventurous, take a trip to a major Australian city to participate in their community events. Sydney is known for its boat races, while Melbourne has a huge street parade.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
2
Watch the fireworks. Many cities and towns have fireworks in the evening. Grab a blanket, a picnic basket, and some snacks, and head out at a reasonable hour to get a good view. Some radio stations have music that is timed to the fireworks, so bring along a radio if you want.
3
Have a picnic at the beach. If you live in Australia, you know that Australia Day is always hot, hot, hot. Ocean water provides cool relief from the sizzling sun. Don’t forget to bring a speaker to blast your favorite Aussie tunes.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- The beach is a great place to have an Australia Day BBQ!
4
Make Australia-themed crafts. Crafts are sure to be a hit with the kiddos. Decorate paper boomerangs, or make a mini didgeridoo out of a long cardboard tube and bright paints.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Create a paper visor hat using gold cardstock for the band and green cardstock for the visor. Attach them to each other with tape, and glue a picture of an Australian flag on the front of the visor. Now you have homemade, patriotic protection from the hot Australian sun!
- Print out blank versions of local Australian flags and color them in. You can find blank templates here: http://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/flags-of-australia-state-flag-of-western-australia/news-story/29d2bd8e54812dc64fc15788d59c1271?ref=collection_view,australia-day
5
Have a cricket or touch footy tournament in your backyard. Aussies love their sports, so join in a backyard tournament or host one of your own! You can also throw around a frisbee for some spirited Australian fun.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Use rubbish bins or buckets for the cricket stumps.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
6
Decorate your house with Australian flags and themed decorations. Buy tons of Australian flags and put them everywhere to showcase your Aussie love. Use other Australia-themed decorations, like tablecloths, towels, posters, magnets, and balloons to turn your home into an Australian wonderland.
- Hang Australian flags from your car windows to pimp your patriotic ride.
7
Get decked out in Australian gear. This is your chance to wear things you would normally never wear. Don’t be afraid to go overboard with the patriotism. Wear a crazy Aussie singlet, an Australian flag bucket hat, wacky sunglasses, and Aussie-themed necklaces.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you want a more milder look, just wear Australian colors. Red, white and blue or yellow and green are both patriotic color schemes.
- Wear an Australian flag apron when you’re whipping up lunch on the barbie.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Celebrating with Music and Movies

1
Put cricket on the TV while you celebrate. Cricket is a classic Aussie sport. You don’t have to sit huddled around the screen during the game--unless you want to, of course. Just have it playing in the background for a festive feel.^{[13]
X
Research source}
2
Turn on the Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown. Triple J is an Australian radio network. Tune in to Triple J on Australia Day to hear them countdown the top 100 songs from the past year.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Some Aussies even throw Hottest 100 parties on Australia Day.
3
Watch an Australian movie. What better way to end your celebration than with a great work of Aussie cinema? You can pick a recent hit, or go for a classic like Mad Max, Strictly Ballroom, or Muriel’s Wedding.^{[15]
X
Research source}
4
Sing along to your favorite patriotic tunes. Belt out your love for your country with your mates. Sing patriotic ballads like the national anthem, Down Under, or True Blue. If you’re a homesick Aussie abroad, you can bet Peter Allen’s I Still Call Australia Home will produce a tear or two.

Advertisement

Community Q&A

Question

What colors are symbolic of Australia Day?

Community Answer

Green and gold are colors that symbolize Australia Day.
Question

Do the indigenous people have a special way they celebrate Australia Day?

Community Answer

Many indigenous people don't celebrate Australia Day because they believe it marks the invasion of their land and the abuse of their people. Some indigenous groups celebrate Survival Day instead, where they honor their people's resilience and achievements.
Question

Do people outside of Australia celebrate Australia Day, and if they do, how?

Community Answer

I am Australian but have lived overseas for a few years now. I always celebrate with all my non-Aussie mates, and we have a blast. I invite them all over for a BBQ, put up a few decorations, play some drinking games, have Aussie music in the background and watch their surprise when they find out how many great singers/bands we have. Part of Australia Day is about having a good time with your mates and that's what I do. Simple.
Question

Why do we have Anzac Day?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

Anzac Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) is in honor of all the Australian and New Zealanders who died in WW1 in Gallipoli, 1915. It is celebrated on April 25, and is very similar to occasions like Veteran's Day. After WW2, Anzac Day has been marked to honor all Australians and New Zealanders whose lives were lost in all military operations.
Question

What food is traditional?

Community Answer

There are tons of traditional Australian foods. Grilled kangaroo, vegemite on toast, crocodile, meat pies, and barbecued snags (sausages) are all favorites. If you're looking for something sweeter, try pavolva, Tim-Tams, lamington cake, and fairy bread.
Question

Are there any other countries that also celebrate this holiday?

Community Answer

Canada, Japan, China, as well as the US and the UK all celebrate Australia Day.
Question

When is Australia Day?

HumanBeing

Top Answerer

January 26th is Australia Day, a national public holiday that celebrates the nation’s diversity and achievements.

Warnings

Drink responsibly - alcohol and driving do not mix. Leave the car at home or get sober friends who are of age to drive.

Thanks!
Helpful 27 Not Helpful 7
Expect reduced store hours and heavy traffic.

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Make sure Australia Day is an inclusive day. Australia is a country of great cultural diversity, including Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, varied European, Pacific and Asian backgrounds and newly arrived immigrants from all around the world. If your community lacks this recognition, speak up and be ready to help make sure all Australian voices are included.

Thanks!
Helpful 35 Not Helpful 23