6 great celebration ideas for Australia Day
Australia Day is one of the most celebrated days down under, with festivities happening all over our great land. This memorable day has been called Australia Day since 1935, but it was only in 1994 that it started to be celebrated as a public holiday. Its historical background dates way back to 1788 as a commemoration of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 British convict ships at Port Jackson NSW.
But today, Australia Day is a celebration of everything that’s great about being Australian and living in this amazing country. It's a day of BBQ’s, picnics, concerts and fireworks - so if you’re planning an Australia Day event this year, here are 6 great celebration ideas to help you and your mates celebrate it in style.
1. Dress up as a famous Aussie
Dressing up like famous Australians may not be traditional, but it’s a great way to celebrate Australia Day and an excellent opportunity to teach your kids about the Australian lifestyle. Think Bob Hawke, Dame Edna, Olivia N-J, Kylie, Hugh Jackman or Nicole Kidman. Get your guests to dress up and have fun guessing which famous Australian they are.
An alternative to dressing up as a famous Aussie is to dress up as – well, an Aussie. This means lots of green and gold, shorts and singlets, thongs (mandatory of course) and an Australiana face tattoo. If they turn up at your door and they don’t look like an Aussie, don’t let them in!
2. Stock up on the snags, shrimps, and lamb
What better way would it be to celebrate Australia Day than having lots of yummy tucker at your party? The celebrations usually start in the mid-morning and will finish late at night so plenty of food is mandatory - and you’ll need it to counter the liquid refreshments that will be flowing throughout the day. Make sure you have copious amounts of snags, shrimps, and lamb for the barbie. A good selection of salads and breads or damper, potatoes, and a few roast chooks will be great too! You just have to stock up to make sure there’s enough for everyone.
3. Provide entertainment
When you’re hosting a party on Australia Day, it comes with the responsibility to provide entertainment for your guests. The good thing is that Australia has its very own entertainment package – in the form of backyard cricket. Have a section of your backyard ready for the cricket pitch and mow the grass a little shorter on the pitch. Don’t forget to keep the coldies close during the game! Another great entertainment option on this special day is to fill the swimming pool with inflatable toys such as thongs, the Australian flag and kangaroos.
Music is a must on the big day and of course it must be Australian, so break out the Aussie playlist and make sure it includes the classics like Cold Chisel, AC/DC, John Williamson and John Farnham.
4. Party at the beach
If hosting a party at your place isn’t your thing, then celebrate in the true-blue Aussie way. Head to the beach and hit the sun, sand, and surf with your trusty cricket set and volleyball – and don’t forget the obligatory thongs for the thong toss.
5. Enjoy some free activities or a concert
Don’t forget to check with your local council as most will have some events organised to celebrate the big day. Whether it’s breakfast in the park, a pool party or a concert, there will be some awesome things happening nearby, so make sure you and your family or mates grab your spot early. Don’t forget to check the awesome restaurants around the venue too.
6. Throw a street party
One of the best things about being an Australian is coming together with the local community. This is a great day to get to know your neighbours a little better by organising a street party. Kick it off in the late afternoon and get everyone to bring some Aussie favourites to share – vegemite sandwiches, meat pies, sausage rolls, tim tams and pavs. Set up some trestle tables, bring out the portable speakers, get everyone to BYO chair and tipple, and your party is bound to be a success!
Want to go all out?
Which ever way you’re planning to celebrate Australia Day this year, make sure it’s a day to remember. If you want to go all out with the celebrations this year but your bank balance is looking a bit depleted, we’re here to help. Just check out our flexible mini-loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start thinking about how to make your Australia Day extra special this year!