The round up: where to celebrate Australia Day on the Gold Coast
Okay mates, it’s that time of year again – Australia Day is upon us. Now, this year it’s on a Thursday, which kind of throws us working folk into a mid-week spin, but hey – it’s that one day of the year where we can ditch work and really glow with national pride. Some of us like to celebrate with a Milton mango in hand, others dust off the Akubra’s and head to the beach. However you roll, we’ve put together a bloody handy list of events across the Gold Coast where you can celebrate Australia Day in 2017.
Garden Kitchen & Bar: Spend your Australia Day on the Garden Bar lawn – there will be a slow-cooked barbecue feast, ice-cold tap beers and live music on the deck. There’s a special Summer Pav cocktail on the menu for the day, so get one (or two) of these in your hand and kick back on the grass. This will be all-time, cobbers!
The Broadwater Parklands: City of Gold Coast has a huge twilight event planned at the Broadwater – you can feast on tasty food truck nosh, or do it ‘Straya-style with a snag from the long Aussie barbecue. The dessert queens from Reid Street Kitchen will be there with their famous giant lamingtons (bigger than your head), so you can munch away to the sounds of local musos, including Juzzie Smith. It’ll all go off with a bang with a massive fireworks display planned come sundown.
Currumbin RSL: There’s no better place to be than creekside on a warm summers day – the Currumbin RSL has a cracker day planned with totem tennis set up by the creek (an inventive take on the Australian Open – this could get competitive). You’ll be able to refuel with lamingtons and pavlova at The Deck, there will be Aussie tucker from Alleys and La Bocca Pizza will be serving up bacon and egg pizzas from midday. The rissole has it covered. So much #straya.
The Advancetown Hotel: Celebrate Australia Day at a true country pub, the Advancetown Hotel, with some good Aussie tucker and loads of family-friendly fun. Expect plenty of meat pies, cold beers, a live rock show, and … wait for it … pig races. That’s right, pig races. All proceeds go to the Rural Fire Brigade, so get along and have some old-fashioned fun. Oink.
Cabana Bar & Lounge: Sit back in the open-air cabanas in style on Australia Day, with The Hottest 100 broadcasting live, as you indulge in some pretty fancy Australia Day cocktails – The Lamington and The Pavlova concoctions will get you into the spirit. You’ll get a free sausage from the sizzle with every drink purchase – so enjoy a cold one and a snag in style.
SoPo Dining Room: The popular Southport eatery is putting on The Big Aussie Tennis Open … played on Wii Sport! There will Australian beers on tap, Aussie-inspired bites, live entertainment and, in true form, the Triple J Hottest 100 will be blasting.
Helm Bar: This, pals, is where you’ll find live crab races. Plus, there will be plenty of Fosters and VB, a lamb on the spit and cool live tunes. Doors open from 10:00 am for breakfast beers.
Burleigh Beach: We all know that Burleigh is the iconic spot for Gold Coast folk to hang on Australia Day. Get into the fun early though – the Burleigh Swim Run will kick off at first light, and then head straight to The Point where you’ll be able to soak up the sunshine with the first day of the Flight Centre Burleigh Pro surf comp. So, it’s safe to say Burleigh will be a hot-spot from the crack of dawn – there’s no better way to start your Australia Day than in (or at least near) the surf.
Coolangatta Sands Hotel: The southern folk can get on down to the new-look Coolangatta Sands Hotel with live music from The Average Joes (don’t let the name fool you) and then the real cracker – a pie eating competition. Yep, win that one and not only will you make your mother proud, you’ll also get a $50 bar tab to wash it all down with.
The Island: Celebrate in style and head up to the rooftop for a solid afternoon of Triple J Hottest 100 sounds, cocktails and DJ beats well into the night. You’d best have the Friday off too.
Glass Dining and Lounge Bar: This whole Australia Day on a Thursday business has us all out of sorts – but it’s also the perfect excuse to get by the waterside with a glass of Australian bubbles – Marina Mirage will do just fine. The team at Glass will be serving up a few Australia Day specials, including a delicious braised kangaroo potted pie with wattle seed, stewed vegetables and housemade tomato sauce. That food, that view – we’re in.
QT Gold Coast: If you’re planning a long weekend, then QT is where you want to be on Sunday January 29 – the Australia Day festivities are continuing at its popular Calypso Sundays with a Pin-Up Pool Party. You’ll be taken back to the 50s and 60s for the ultimate vintage bash – there will will be kitsch bathers, pin-up curls (and girls), inflatable pool toys and lots of old-fashioned fun!
Australia Fair Metro: Head to the new alfresco dining precinct for tasty food specials and free street entertainment all afternoon, including live sounds by Regan Sharp and upbeat duo Parker Rose & Benji. Perfect spot to soak up the foodie vibes.
Kirra Sports Club: Have you always wanted to compete in a gumboot toss? Well, here’s your chance. Don your best green and yellow threads for a day of beers, barbecue feasts and fun. Along with the gumboot toss there will be sack races and an ironman event. Come prepared to eat, drink and win, folks.
If you’re planning to head to Brisbane for Australia Day, here’s everything you need to know.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
