Top 10 Things To Do On Australia Day (2018)

Australia Day is not just another break from work or school, it's about heading out to collectively celebrate national pride, regardless of whichever part of the country you are! This year is looking to be one for the books with an amazing mix of activities you can join over the Australia Day weekend. What are you waiting for? Round up your Australia Day crew and get ready to yell, oi, oi, oi!

The Monster (Jan 26-28, Melbourne)

The Monster / Via themonsterau.com

Imagine 30 obstacles spread over 270 metres of adult bouncy castle madness because The Monster is coming to Melbourne right on time for Australia Day weekend! Run, jump, and boogie your way through the course, scored by the tunes of live DJs, or the onsite sound and lighting show. Even better? There'll be mouth-watering street food, craft beer, and cocktails to keep you company! This is one epic summer event that you cannot miss.

2)Williamstown Food Truck Fiesta (Jan 25-28, Melbourne)

The Urban List / Via theurbanlist.com

The famed Food Truck Fiesta (alliteration not intended) makes its final summer stop in Williamstown Seaworks as it brings together the biggest names in Melbourne’s food truck scene: Mr Burger, Billy Van Creamy, St. Gerry’s, Pasta Face, Nem n’ Nem, Roadrunner Fried Chicken, Gorilla Grill, and Sliders On Tyres – just to name a few! Even better? Expect a Triple J Hottest 100 session on January 27th, and a Pupper Appreciation Party! That’s right. Enjoy all the noms, and play with puppers to your heart’s content. A gastronomic trip paired with some puppy love – what could be better?

3)The 53rd Victorian Hot Rod & Cool Rides Show (Jan 26-28, Melbourne)

Museum Victoria / Via museumsvictoria.com.au

The name says it all! Hot rods and cool rides, all under one roof. Get up close and personal with hundreds of the country's coolest hot rods, customers, street machines, and motorcycles, all in their polished, gleaming glory, as they compete for a huge prize pool of over $50,000 in prizes and trophies. Added attractions? A stunning display of old drag cars, celebrity machines, and some fun activities for kids! It's testosterone-filled fun for the whole family.

4)Wugulora Morning Ceremony (Jan 26, Sydney)

ABC News / Via abc.net.au

Kick off Australia Day festivities by celebrating the world’s oldest surviving culture. Watch a special performance by Indigenous dancers and singers at Barangaroo. Sing along with the choral performance of the Budjari Gunyalungalung Baraya-la, which translates to “Let’s Sing Good Dreaming” taught as part of the Sydney Festival’s Bayala program. Listen as the national anthem is sung in English and Aboriginal language Dharawal, before the Aboriginal and Australian flags are raised on the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the start of Australia Day.

5)Parramatta All-Day Australia Day Party (Jan 26, Parramatta)

Australia Day Parramatta / Via ausdayparramatta.com.au

They don't call it the All-Day festival for nothing! Expect a massive 15-hour Australia Day celebration featuring non-stop entertainment, live music and family-friendly fun. Festivities begin at 6am with the popular Aerial hot-air balloon display, followed by a Grand BBQ, an iconic CARnivale display featuring hundreds of classic vintage vehicles, entertainment and rides, workshops, activities, live music and more! Parramatta’s annual Parravision talent competition will likewise host its grand final showdown where three best acts and groups will be announced winners. The festival culminates in a 15-minute fireworks finale at 9pm. Break out those Red Bulls!

6)Australia Day Fireworks Dinner Cruise (Jan 26, Sydney)

Sydney Princess Cruises / Via sydneyprincesscruises.com.au

Celebrate Australia Day by night and see the spectacular Darling Harbour fireworks display up close. Really close. Several operators offering a Dinner and Fireworks cruise for Australia Day will give you a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and a magical firework show, all whilst enjoying fantastic food and hospitality!

7)Australia Day at South Bank (Jan 26, Brisbane)

Brisbane Kids / Via brisbanekids.com.au

Celebrate Australia Day in the great outdoors! Bring along a picnic and enjoy live music from celebrated acts until Brisbane’s biggest Australia Day fireworks light up the sky at 7:30pm. The fireworks spectacular on the river will be the perfect way to end Australia Day celebrations for the whole family. Pro-tip: the best vantage point to see the fireworks is along Clem Jones Promenade.

8)Bentspoke Beer Festival (Jan 26-28, Canberra)

BentSpoke Beer on Twitter / Via Twitter: @BentSpokeBeer

Canberra-based BentSpoke Brewing Co. has an Australia Day activity just for you! What better way to celebrate Australia Day than counting down the Top 100 Australia craft beers? Even better: join their promotion and get a chance to win a year’s worth of beer! Sweet.

On Australia Day weekend, BentSpoke will be launching a new version of Ned's Ale, with Draughters Members each receiving a small ale on the house! The Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers countdown kicks off at Saturday, to which you can buy sweep tickets and make predictions for BentSpoke's results. Expect a feverish day of beer give-aways, beer drinking, fun, and celebrations.

Australia Day in the City (Jan 26, Adelaide)

MIX 102.3 / Via mix1023.com.au

Australia Day in the City – Parade, Concert & Fireworks is SA’s largest Australia Day celebration held in the heart of Adelaide at Elder Park. Think over 40,000 people coming together to celebrate what it means to be Australian! The event begins with one of the country's largest Australia Day parades, which will include over 150 community groups, vintage cars, horses, marching bands, a giant echidna, floats, giant characters, and an appearance by an F-18 Hornet. This will be followed by a huge free family concert featuring Ricki-Lee and Cris Sebastian, and will end with an awesome fireworks show!

Skyworks and Laser Show (Jan 26, Perth)

Weekend Notes / Via weekendnotes.com

Enjoy one of the largest Australia Day festivities in the country by celebrating the 34th City of Perth Skyworks and Laser Show. Head down with family or friends and enjoy a picnic while revelling at the beauty of the Perth skyline. Expect an event of full of music, dance, art and food, as the Birak Concert celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities. Secure your spot on the foreshore by night's end to watch the spectacular fireworks display. The amazing fireworks show will commence at 8pm, capping off a day of celebrations.