2007-01-09 04:13:13 · 13 answers · asked by Jakarta Worker 6 in Travel ➔ Australia ➔ Sydney
It depends on where in the country you are. Many people outside Sydney see Australia Day as a Sydney thing, since it celebrates the day Sydney was founded - January 26, 1788.
Consequently, as its also Sydney's birthday, the celebrations in Sydney are massive. The streets in the city centre are closed for the day and there are many events held throughout the city. There is a display of classic cars that take up a lot of the streets, and there are free open-air concerts everywhere ... country and western at The Rocks (the 'Old Town'), rock concert at Circular Quay, Jazz concert in Macquarie Street near Parliment House etc.
The centrepiece of the day is the Harbour. There is a race between all the Harbour ferries in the morning, an event that has been going on for over 20 years now. At mid-day there is a parade of 'tall ships', old sailing ships that come to Sydney from all over the world for this day. (In honour of the First Fleet that sailed from Britain in 1788.) The Royal Australian Air Force performs an aerobatic show over the Harbour and the Bridge and Opera house in the afternoon, which is really spectacular.
All the historic buildings, museums and galleries are opened to the public and are free for the day. Its a good time to see as much as possible, since many of the buildings are only opened on this one day.
The climax is at Darling Harbour, a small cove off Sydney Harbour surrounded by hotels and restaurants. At sunset a parade of the ships and boats that work on the Harbour cruises around the cove, and at 9:00pm there is a magnificent fireworks display that goes for 20 - 30 mins, some years a choir performs on a floating platform in the middle of the bay.
Just about every community has some kind of celebration on the day, but I have only experienced the Sydney celebrations. Perhaps other people can tell you what happens in other parts of the country.
2007-01-09 11:18:37 · answer #1 · answered by alienaviator 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with the previous answer (sorry mate!) I am from Central Queensland and we all love Australia and have never felt like it was a 'Sydney' thing. Most Australia Days I head to the beach where there are plenty of bbqs, markets and concerts (followed by a few drinks at the pub).
This year, I will be having an all-day party in my backyard. All my friends are coming over for a bbq, swim and drinks. We are only serving 'Aussie' food.
Happy Australia Day to you!!
2007-01-09 17:50:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I can't belive I'm the first to write, this, for the las12-13 years Australia Day in Sydney has mean the Big Day Out (althought this year it's the day before for some odd reason) Australias premiere music festival, can't wait!!!!!
2007-01-16 13:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by Kate A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BBQ with Friends, kids pets anything with a hart beat takes part in it.
We hit the beach's rivers pools and parks for a swimm or chill under the shade of a tree or sit back and relax after a great roast Lamb and vegies with gravy and then Pavlova !
With beers to throw all that down !
not to forget the FireWorks in Darling Habour !
Ava G1
2007-01-12 12:45:55 · answer #4 · answered by scratch_n_sniff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well being an Aussie living in the UK we'll be having our 4th Australia Day party here with folk from all over the world. Its a bit of a tradition over here to get a load of Kangaroo, Emu and Crocodile meat imported and to chuck on the bbq which is about as scrummy as food gets. We also drink proper Australian beer/wine and spend a fortune on imported Aussie snacks and sweets from London. Top it off with Australian music and best Aussie costume competition (not to mention the last Ashes series on the TV!) and its about as close to home as you can get when its 2 degrees C outside in January!
2007-01-10 11:10:33 · answer #5 · answered by garethej 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well like any other national holiday in summer, a game of backyard cricket, a bbq and a few brews with family and friends, the bonus is this year that the weekend is straight after so you dont have to work the next day!! whoo hoo
2007-01-10 08:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I celebrate Canada Day!
2016-05-22 22:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
most people have a bbq or a picnic.
there are heaps of citizenship ceremonies conducted.
some towns have celebration things - sydney has stuff on the harbour for eg.
2007-01-09 10:22:21 · answer #8 · answered by Minerva 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go to a pub at Darling Harbour in the city (Sydney) for a drink with friends.
2007-01-16 23:48:24 · answer #9 · answered by Meek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its celebrated the same way as you guys would celebrate the 4th of July....just not as big as scale....
most have BBQ's...we get a public holiday and there are a number of activities in the city to participate in.....
2007-01-11 15:52:49 · answer #10 · answered by askaway 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋