The Australia Day weekend is one of the busiest on the national social calendar. Here are some suggestions for local activities:
The Star
Celebrate our sophisticated Aussie palate with three days of feasting opportunity at The Star.
Their award-winning restaurants are offering special Australia Day menus that range across all tastes. Try the gourmet Seafood Pie at Balla or a grilled Angus fillet and lobster tail duet at Black Bar & Grill. If you prefer a different crustacean, how about grilled Morton Bay Bug topped with caviar and a glass of ale at Sokyo. If you want to get real dinkum sit down in front of the giant screen in the Sports Bar and enjoy some Vegemite chicken wings while watching tennis, cricket and soccer. Not sure what you feel like? Try a bit of everything from the Australian themed selection at Harvest Buffet. For those who’d prefer to chill out in the open, come up to Sky Terrace for some tasty BBQ, icy frose and a view of the best harbour under the sun.
Party into Australia Day at Marquee on Thursday 25th and ease back out at Rock Lilly on Australia Day evening.
More info: The Star – Australia Day
Harbourside
With the fourth one day international between Australia and England being played in Adelaide on Australia day, you can still be part of the crowd right in the heart of Sydney. Harbourside will be installing a giant screen in their Ampitheatre so you can watch the game with other die-hards while a DJ plays mood tunes and Darling Harbour glistens in the background. There will be ample seating, shady umbrellas, and cool mist spritzing from the Cool Zone. Grab some free green and gold zinc and a discount voucher for Harbourside restaurants and food court. With oversized games available to play and the amenities of Darling Harbour all around, it’s the perfect outing for sports and non-sports fans.
PLUS
Get into the spirit and dress up to celebrate Australia Day for your chance to win one of two $150 Harbourside gift vouchers! Simply post a photo of you at Harbourside on Australia Day and tag #loveharbourside to win! Winners will be contacted on the day to give them something to celebrate!
Harbourside – Australia Day events
Yabun Festival
Yabun Festival is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures held on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people. The festival is being held in Victoria Park with some of Australia’s best indigenous music artists performing on stage and ancient dances being presented on the Corroboree Ground..
Be enlightened at the SpeakOut Tent by some of Australia’s leading artists, authors, and thinkers.
Yabun Festival is brought to you by Koori Radio 93.7FM. Tune in for updates and music from the festival!
For more information: www.yabun.org.au
Sydney Fish Market
The Sydney Fish Market (SFM) will be open from 7am on Australia Day so you can go down early and stock up for the obligatory barbecue. Or you can ditch the tongs and sit by the harbour sipping beer or wine, feasting on fresh seafood and nodding in time to familiar Aussie classics played by live band Oz Rock.
7am – 4pm
Live music from 12pm – 3pm
SFM – Australia Day
Tour Wild Oats XI at ANMM
The most successful yacht to ever compete in the grilling Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Wild Oats XI, will be docked at the Australian National Maritime Museum from Jan 26 − 28 and visitors to the museum will get a chance to climb on board and explore the mighty maxi. Guided tours will run from 10am – 12pm and 1 – 4pm. Numbers will be limited to 10 people on board at a time so queues may be likely. For safety Wild Oats XI will only be open to visitors 10 years old and above.
Access to the yacht is included with the museum’s Big Ticket entry.
For more info visit ANMM – Wild Oats 11
Circular Quay
Circular Quay will be the focus of Australia Day activities this year, with highlights including the fabulous Ferrython, a unique ‘boat ballet’, a concert on the Opera House forecourt, food and family fun and of course a magnificent fireworks finale.
For full Australia Day program, visit: www.australiaday.com.au