10 exciting ways to celebrate Australia Day this year
First, there was Christmas, then the New Year, and now, Australia Day is just around the corner! Our land down under is full of festivities at this time of year but 26th January is extra special - as this is the day we celebrate and acknowledge our rich and diverse history.
If you’re wondering what to do to make Australia Day memorable this year, here are 10 time-honoured traditions to help you celebrate in true Australian style.
1. Throw a thong
Topping our list is the Aussie sport of thong-throwing, and no Australia Day is complete without it. If you’ve never played before, it’s a traditional Australian game involving throwing a thong as far as you can while you stand behind a line, and whoever throws the furtherest, wins. Enjoy some friendly competition with family and mates in your backyard, at the beach or in the park. The location doesn’t matter as long as you have a thong and of course a few coldies.
2. Throw some prawns on the barbie
There’s nothing quite like the quintessential prawn on the barbie but you can literally throw anything on the grill that takes your fancy - steak, burgers, lamb chops, chicken wings, and don’t forget those snags! You’ll well and truly celebrate Australia Day with a sizzling BBQ and some summer salads.
3. Cockroach races
Ok so if you’re a little roach-phobic (guilty!) then this one may not be for you, but cockroach racing is an extremely popular Australia Day tradition. You don’t have to try catching the scurrying little critters yourself – many local pubs have cockroach racing events, so head on down and have a little flutter on the winner.
4. Play backyard cricket
It has been said that you haven’t really celebrated Australia Day unless you’ve played backyard cricket. It’s almost like the traditional cricket played everywhere else except that the rules are more flexible. You can play it anywhere, and you only need a bat, a ball, and a wicket. Cold beverages are optional but will certainly help with the merriment.
5. Enjoy a few drinks
Australia Day is a day of celebration, and most of us will be enjoying a few cold drinks during the day. If you want to try something a bit different this year, why not try swapping the beer and wine for some delicious and refreshing Australia Day cocktails, such as a Lamington Cocktail, Aussie Mint Julep, Lemon Myrtle Punch or Mango and Basil Bellini. Here are the recipes for these and a whole heap more.
6. Brush up on your Aussie slang
If there’s ever a day in the year to roll out the Aussie slang, it’s 26th January. So go all out ridgy didge "Strine" with your cobbers, grab some bevvies from the bottle-o and have a bonza arvie barbie!
7. Add some temporary tattoos
If you really want to get into the spirit of things this Australia Day, then adorn yourself with temporary tattoos featuring the Aussie flag or map, Southern Cross, kangaroos, or koalas. Temporary tattoos are very budget friendly so you can go wild and cover yourself from head to toe!
8. Attend community events
The country will be swarming with exciting community events to commemorate Australia Day. There will be plenty of concerts, festivals, parades, games, competitions, sports matches, and just about everything in between to make 26 January the most fun day of the year. Check with your local Council, as well as pubs and clubs to see what events are planned in your area.
9. Head to the beach
Make the most of summer and head to the beach for Australia Day. For many of us, this day means sun, surf, and sand. So, pack your best beachwear and get ready to catch some waves. Nothing beats a day off work when you can spend it at the beach and enjoy a cool dip in the sea.
10. Stay cool at home
If you don’t feel like going out, but still want to celebrate Australia Day, there are still many other exciting ways to get into the spirit of things. We all know it’s probably going to be pretty hot, so stay at home and keep cool in the swimming pool or run around the sprinklers with family and friends in between drinking, eating, and celebrating our great country.
We wish you a happy Australia Day
Australia Day is all about applauding the lucky country in which we live. So, be merry and celebrate in style. And if you need some additional funds to make this Australia Day extra memorable, we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans up to $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours – to ensure you’ll have a truly happy Australia Day.