The Gold Coast’s top spots to celebrate this Australia Day
It’s no coincidence that our money is waterproof or that the wine cask is an Australian invention. As a nation, we’re fairly fond of a party and our national day is just about the biggest one of the year. If simply throwing a shrimp on the barbecue at home won’t cut it this Australia Day, we’ve round up some of the city’s top spots to celebrate.
Squeeze the most out of your Australia Day long weekend and start the celebrations on Saturday with OZ FEST at Miami Tavern on Saturday. The epic line-up is almost hotter than the weather forecast. Possibly the best thing about a public holiday falling on a Monday is the chance to indulge in a completely guilt-free Sunday session. Hit up QT’s Australia Day Eve Party at Stingray or Komune Resort’s Straya Day Eve Mini Festival.
For the day itself, as well as being one of national celebration it’s also Triple J’s Hottest 100 day and if you can manage to get past the fact that Taylor Swift was almost tipped to win, the Mermaid Beach Tavern and Miami Tavern are hosting countdown parties. Kick-on after the countdown at Miami Tavern’s Straya Day celebrations and rock out to live music by local lads Yes Sir Noceur, Donny Love, Wax head and Electric Zebra. If work on Tuesday isn’t high on the agenda, head along to The Island of Sin’s Australia Day Boat Party that promises guest appearances from Kaz James, Raye Antonelli, Eddie Thomas, Taglo and The Uglies.
If you’re in the mood for indulging in some genuine Aussie tucker, Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino is putting on an Aussie Affair Australia Day Buffet complete with damper, pumpkin scones, barbeque baby back ribs, shrimp salad and of course pavlova and lamingtons for dessert. The Wattle Hotel is throwing an Aussie Day barbecue on the terrace from noon, complete with Cane Toad races in the sports bar from 2:00 pm. If Cane Toad racing isn’t your thing, head along to Fisherman’s Wharf for a spot of crab racing from 1:00 pm.
For those with little humans to consider, there’s a range of wholesome family activities around the city. Head on down to Evandale Parklands in Bundall for a choreographed BMX and Freestyle Moto X show as well as activities for the kids, cooking demonstrations, live music and wood chopping or mosey on down to the Ed Hardy Park in Burleigh Heads for food stalls, music and games. Don’t forget to chuck in an umbrella as the weather forecast is predicting a chance of afternoon showers.
After all of that, if you’re keen to just chill out this Australia Day, pack a picnic and head down to the beach to watch the waves roll in and truly appreciate this amazing place that we call home.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
