January 30, 2020 ivandreaollero

8 Things You Can Do on Australia Day 2020

Miscellaneous, Travel

Australia Day is a national day where Aussies come together as a nation to commemorate what’s amazing about Australia and being Australian. It’s the perfect time to accumulatively reflect on what Australia has attained and what they’re proud of as a nation and entrust to making Australia an even significant country for future generations. 

 

Every January 26th, Sydney city turns on a huge show to celebrate this national day. If this is your first time to observe and celebrate Australia Day in Sydney, we will share with a list of the highlights to help you determine how to join the celebrations. A visitor to Sydney must make sure that s/he is down at the harbour for the Tall ships race. It’s definitely a lovely highlight! 

 

Celebrating Australia Day 

 

Australia Day officially recognized the founding of the colony of Sydney on the 26 January 1788 when the ships of the first fleet arrived. But not everyone agrees that this is the proper choice for a national day as it also constitutes the day that the indigenous peoples of Sydney’s world changed in the worst way possible. 

 

Nevertheless, this date marks the anniversary of a particular event, modern-day Australia Day celebrations reflect contemporary Australia such as various communities, cultures, society and landscape. 

 

Things and Activities to Do on Australia Day 

 

Now, where should you head to unite in the celebrations? There are a lot of choices, and it’s possible to cover all if you want a big day out. Here’s a rundown of the most popular city-based options but along with these almost every local council runs their own celebrations. 

 

1. Ferrython, Throughout Sydney 

During Australia Day, there’s an annual free ferrython that will bring tiny and big boat lovers in their element. It kicks off at 10:45 am until 11:30 am which you shouldn’t miss out on! This is perfect if you have your kids with you because you can sit back with a picnic from one of the picturesque waterfront vantage points and gravitate your eyes on the sea of ferries as they race from Circular Quay to Shark Island, prior to looping back to Sydney Harbour Bridge for a fantastic finish. Key viewpoints are Blues Point, Hickson Road Reserve, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Bradfield Park and Sydney Opera House. 

 

2.  Picnic at Barangaroo 

 

Barangaroo offers the ideal spot for an Australia Day picnic with a picturesque view. For something uniquely Australian, you may begin the day at Barangaroo with an indigenous smoking ceremony at 7:45 am and the WulgulOra Morning Ceremony at 8 am. 

 

You will witness wonderful performances by the Kori Choir, and the Koomurri Aboriginal Dance Troupe that celebrates Australia’s traditional landowners and ends with the raising of the Aboriginal and Australian flags on the harbour bridge. Aside from that, Barangaroo provides a remarkable vantage point to watch the finish of the Sydney Harbour Ferrython.

 

3.  Beach Day at Q Station, Manly 

One of the best ways to celebrate Australia Day is on the beach. Q Station Australian Day Celebrations kick off at 9 am on Sunday 26th January from the Wharf Precinct. You may want to look at the Thong Throwing Competition at 9:30 am, followed by the Inflatable Boat Race at 10:30 am. The fun doesn’t stop there, it continues over at the Quarantine Beach Sandcastle Competition and the Jump & Splash Castle. Entry and competitions are all free and amazing prizes up for snatches. 

 

If you want to escape a little from the big busy crowd, there are plenty of romantic getaway spots in Australia because of its pristine beaches and oceans. 

 

4. Musical Performances, Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House 

 

A grand day of celebration requires an epic finale and “Australia Day Live 2020” will do that. The spectacular maritime, musical and pyrotechnic exhibitions will showcase a parade of performing jet-skis, dancing yachts, fly-borders. You can also enjoy watching Australian musical legends rock out on the Sydney Opera House as you look to the sky for a brilliant fireworks display. 

 

5. BBQ by the Bridge at Bradfield Park 

 

Celebrating Australia Day at Bradfield Park offers superb views of the harbour action. You’ll get to celebrate their multiculturalism with bbq cuisine from across the globe. You will taste specialities from America, South America, Korea, Europe, India, The Philippines, Middle East, Brazil, and Spain. 

 

They also have live music from local bands and DJs, a jumping castle, face painting and circus activities to keep the kids amused, and a scale of free entertainment. If you prefer to buy your lunch, don’t worry because there will be plenty of food vans. 

 

This event gives amazing harbour views for the Ferrython and Regatta and lots of family-friendly fun; you can even bring your dog. The event runs from 10 am-4 pm. 

 

6. Children’s Festival at Darling Harbour 

This event is the centrepiece of the Australia Day celebrations for families bringing a large children’s festival. The children’s amusement kicks off at 11 am, music and dance performances will continue in Tumbalong Park until 3 pm. After 3 pm, it’s the perfect time for the grown-ups program with DJs and live performances. Also, there will also be a firework show that runs from 9-9:15 pm. 

 

7. Simple Day in Maroubra 

 

This event is where everyone’s committed to not missing it. Located at the Maroubra Beach Australia Day Celebrations every 26th January, you are free to hang ten with free surf lessons, grab a snag at the BBQ on the beach, spoil yourself with free ice cream, learn tarp surfing and a have a day of fun in the sun with loads of amusements. 

 

8. Jam-packed Day in Parramatta 

 

From 6 am to 9 pm, you can enjoy a brimful day of entertainment, celebrate a fun Australia Day at Parramatta Park starting with Sydney’s biggest hot air balloon display. The kids can enjoy roaming circus entertainment, rides, face painting and workshops that will keep them happy for hours. Car lovers shouldn’t miss out on the Carnivale classic car display. 

 

If you and your family get hungry, consider exploring family-friendly food stalls offer, the BIG BBQ (10 am – 3:30 pm) a specific highlight, and don’t miss show-stopping fireworks finale at 9 pm. 

                                                                                                              

Author Bio: Ivandrea Ollero is a writer for Kims Romantic Getaways Sydney, one of Australia’s beach retreat places immersed in subtropical rainforest offering a cluster of lavish individual timber bungalows and spa villas on the beach. She is also a content crafter who researches and writes custom content about travel, fashion, finance, business, home improvements, health, and beauty in order to provide helpful information and tips for her readers. Ivandrea graduated from St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2016.