Our national day of celebration and pride is right around the corner, with Australia Day falling on next Monday. It may feel a bit different in Sydney with Big Day Out no longer taking place (this year anyway), but there's still a load of great events happening around the city to ensure there's still as much reason to party and do all those things that are stereotyped as Australian, you know like throw Shrimps on barbies and hand people vegemite sandwiches (whilst smiling of course, can't forget the smile). Here's a few events happening around Sydney - with one Melbourne and Brisbane listing each, just in case - that you may want to pay attention to; they all sound like fine ways to spend your Australia Day Weekend.
FAT FREDDY'S DROP FREE INTIMATE SHOW AT THE SODA FACTORY (SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY)
The Soda Factory is over the moon to announce, off the back of their appearance at Sydney Opera House, a truly special, intimate DJ set from the fantastic Fat Freddy’s Drop. Expect brilliantly eclectic musical selections from Wellington’s finest dub’n’disco dons. Featuring: DJ Fitchie, Chopper Reeds & MC Slave.
It's all going down for FREE on Australia Day Eve, 25th Jan from 7pm until 3am.
AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND AT THE ARGYLE (THE ROCKS, SYDNEY)
Aside from celebrating their new resident monthly party Hed Kandi, The Argyle will be spending all four days delivering a massive program of entertainment.
Guests can revel in all things summer with international DJs, live acoustic music and snags-a-plenty with a sausage sizzle in the courtyard all weekend. What’s more, in salute to the annual national day, enjoy the Aussie Snake Bite special, a blend of apple cider, beer and blackcurrant in a cocktail sling for just $15.
Friday 23rd January - Hed Kandi Launch party
The world’s most glamorous clubbing brand officially lands at The Argyle to kick off the long weekend celebrations. From London to New York, Paris to Tokyo, Rio to Ibiza and beyond, Hed Kandi is known as THE party event and will now take over one of Sydney’s favourite venues every month. Expect nothing less than extravagant productions and performers. Melbourne favourite Piero will be headlining the proceedings, together with Adrian Benedek, Tass, The Owl, and Chivalry.
Entry free before 10pm, door charge after.
Saturday 24th January - Argyle Saturdays - live music and DJs
Argyle Saturdays will keep day two of the party pumping with live music from Sydney favourites Erin Marshall and Arrnott Ollssen Trio. For those with the stamina to stay late, house favourites Tass, Lavida, and Liam Sampras will spin on into the early hours.
Sunday 25th January - Sunday Live
What better way to celebrate a Monday off than by spending all day at The Argyle’s classic Sunday Live event. Enjoy live acoustic music from some of Sydney’s best talent including Gemma Lyon and Erin Marshall together with Arrnott Ollssen Sound System. Spinning again into the early hours will be Argyle resident DJ Lavida who is joined by fellow She-Jay Minx.
Monday 26th January - Australia Day Triple J Hottest 100
Soak up the rays in The Argyle’s infamous courtyard and enjoy a true-blue Australia Day with friends listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown. The Martini Club will also be armed with their horns, percussion, sassy vocals and a discerning DJ, for interspersed live sets throughout the afternoon. From noon, a great Aussie BBQ will fire up, serving burgers, shrimps and snags. Following the top spot announcement, a DJ set from Hip-Hop favourite DJ Crazy Caz will continue the festivities, delivering dance-floor party mayhem.
ROYAL RANDWICK'S AUSTRALIA DAY CUP (RANDWICK, SYDNEY)
On Saturday 24th January those who flow into Royal Randwick will be able to experience a day of all things Australian featuring a bush band, a seven race program, and for the daring - the famous Vili's Pies eating competition. The winner will win their weight in Vili's Pies (one pie per kg), plus all racegoers will have the chance to score a free pie for themselves in the Aussie Silks race book competition. If a jockey wearing Australia Day silks wins a race between races 1-7, patrons can redeem their race book coupon for a free Vili's Pie from any retail outlet on track before the end of the day.
For those looking for a family-friendly activity over the long weekend, trackside will offer everything from pony rides to face painting. Combined with the latest in racing technology, new bars and restaurants, pristine lawns and great hospitality, Royal Randwick is the place to be this Australia Day long weekend.
Plus, Australian Turf Club Members on course at Royal Randwick will be in the running for a $14,000 cash prize! All ATC Members are automatically entered into the draw.
100 BURGER BASH AT DOVE & OLIVE + KEG & BREW HOTEL (SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY)
Celebrate this Australia Day at The Dove & Olive’s Hoppiest 100 Burger Bash, which is held concurrently at the nearby Keg & Brew Hotel.
On Monday 26th January, both venues in Surry Hills will be hosting the ultimate Hoppiest 100 Burger Bash with a journey of discovery into some of Australia’s top beers, burgers and beats from 10am.
Running live all day, the Triple J Hottest 100 will get the party started before craft beer fans can join in the Hottest 100 Craft Beer Countdown from 12.30pm. 10 of Australia’s hottest craft beers of 2014, as voted by you, will be announced and tapped live from 3.30pm with a series of epic burgers available all day to tempt any appetite.
The event will be slightly different at each venue.
Dove & Olive: The Burger Fest features a line up including the Roo Burger, Tripple Decka Cheeseburger, Lobster Tail, Peri Peri Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Veggie. All burgers are served in a brioche bun with shoestring fries, salad, tomato chutney and pickles. The Dove & Olive’s famous sweet potato wedges and special BBQ Whisky wings will also be on the menu, along with vegan stuffed bell peppers and a selection of pub classics so there really is something for everyone.
Drink specials throughout the day include $5 craft beer schooners and The Alt-Jug, an exclusive Australia Day Cocktail Jug for $25 with a refreshing combination of apple cider, St Germain, Malibu, lemon and passion fruit.
Tradition dictates that guests of the Dove & Olive’s Hottest 100 Party attend in cabana-wear and Hawaiian shirts, so dust off those tropical prints and join the fun, with a slab of coopers given away to the tackiest Hawaiian shirt on the day!
To help celebrate, Coopers are giving away a Deluxe Twin Grill Gas BBQ valued at over $400. To go in the draw, simply make a purchase in-house between 9-26 January or enter online at www.doveandolive.com.au/australiaday. The winner will be drawn and announced on Australia Day from 5pm.
Keg & Brew: Burgers will include the Aussie, Lobster Tail, Lamb, Pulled Pork, Vegetarian Portobello Mushroom and the Diablo Chicken featuring the Keg & Brew’s famous Kentucky Buttermilk Fried Chicken, all $15 and served with French fries. The special $15 menu will be running throughout the day featuring some pub classics, as well as vegan and gluten free options so there really will be something for everyone. To wash it all down, amongst the 33 different Aussie beers and ciders on tap, $5 schooners of craft beer will be available all day long.
Tradition dictates that the Keg & Brew will be playing the cricket on the big screens – so donning the green and gold is essential.
Those feeling lucky can enter the competition to win a limited edition Deluxe Coopers solid wood ice chest full of pale ale by making a purchase in venue from 9 to 26 January or entering online at www.kegandbrew.com.au/australiaday. The prize will be drawn from 4pm on Monday 26 January.
FRANKIE'S PIZZA BY THE SLICE (CBD, SYDNEY)
Frankie's will be closed on Australia Day but that doesn't mean they won't be getting in on the celebrations. Their annual Vulgar Display of Pizza event will go down on Aussie Day Eve, Jan 25th. It will be a night of metallic goodness with a public holiday to look forward to the following day! Now THAT'S a Ned Kelly approved manoeuvre right there Aussies!
Bands playing on the night include: Bastardizer, Arteries, Sumeru, Rise of Avernus, Gutter Tactic, and more.
Open til' 3am. Doors from 4pm. FREE entry.
EUGENES AUSTRALIA DAY FEAST (BRONTE, SYDNEY)
Bronte café, Eugene’s, will be making it easy to get into the spirit this Australia Day with a range of Aussie fare to pick up and take to a barbie, the beach or the cricket.
Perfect for any Aussie Day celebration, Eugene’s legendary pies have developed cult status among Bronte locals. With a twist on the traditional Aussie beef pie, his slow-cooked beef and mushroom is sure to satisfy the blokes. Or for something different there’s the Roast chicken, corn and fresh tarragon all encased in Eugene’s house made short crust pastry with a flaky puff top.
To make catering for your barbie quick and easy, you can pre-order Eugene’s salads which are available to purchase by the litre. Inspired by Eugene’s weekly market finds, the list is ever changing, but you can be sure to find best sellers like Carrot, quinoa, kale, almonds and tarragon; Char-grilled kipfler potato, beans, snow peas, sugar snaps and mint; and Asparagus, baby fennel, orange, endive and hazelnut on the menu.
If you’re heading to the cricket or the beach, pop in and grab some of Eugene’s classic sangas including Roasted pork spiced with caraway and cumin, balsamic onions, radicchio and parmesan or the Poached Ora Salmon with pickled cucumber, parsley and capers.
From a recipe handed down to Eugene’s true blue Aussie partner by her great grandmother, lamingtons will be available as a limited edition all Australia Day week.
In the café, the evening menu, which is available from Thursday to Saturday, will also feature an Aussie special of Spiced king prawns, pomelo, cucumber and Thai herb salad that combines the love of a good old Aussie shrimp with modern day Asian ingredients.
Order now and pick up any time before noon on Sunday 25 January. To order, call (02) 9369 1110 or email catering@eugenes.com
69 Macpherson Street, Bronte, NSW 2024
CRAB-TASTIC AUSTRALIA DAY FUN AT THE COLLAROY HOTEL (COLLAROY, NSW)
As the starters gun cracks, the cry goes out: “#7 Sir-Crabalot claws his way to the outside, while Big Mumma pulls out all the tricks taking the outside track to the edge with Big Red and Crusty close behind her and gaining ground….”
And the Australia Day crab races at the Collaroy are off and running!
Set to be the best fun on the Peninsular, five hotly contested crab races will mark The Collaroy’s first Australia Day celebrations this January 26. Running between 2pm and 6pm downstairs at The Collaroy, up to 20 crabs per race will claw their way to a win.
Race goers will have the opportunity to purchase and name their very own ‘crab-lete’, then cheer on their 6 legged star while it scurries and side steps its way around a large 2 x 2 metre table - with the first crab to reach an edge taking out the win.
“The crab race will be a lot of crazy fun, and we’ll have great prizes on the day for all those who back a winner,” says Alistair Flower, GM of The Collaroy.
Combine the crab race with a Triple J Hottest 100 party, Roy’s Burgers and other menu options all on offer downstairs, the Collaroy is the perfect place to beach yourself for a day full of good Aussie fun.
“There’s nothing more Australian than spending Australia Day in the summer heat at the beach. We can’t wait to host our first ever Australia Day, and have a stack of great food and fun activities planned to ring in our national day of celebration,” adds Alistair Flower.
Catering to all tastes, upstairs will have live music - with stunning views and the beach inspired surrounds the Collaroy is already renowned for taking centre stage. The full menu will remain on offer with Australia Day drinks specials also available upstairs at The Collaroy.
While out on the sand at Collaroy Beach, the Pavilion Café will offer the regular café menu and Roy’s Burgers at one of Sydney’s ultimate “sand between your toes” venues.
The Collaroy gives foodies, locals and sun kissed beach lovers even more reason to drop in this Australia Day.
1064 Pittwater Street, Collaroy
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE ROCKS (THE ROCKS, SYDNEY)
The Rocks precinct will be transformed into a lively place of celebration for Australia Day 2015, with free musical performances featuring some of Australia’s best bands and entertainers.
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is very proud to play a key role in Australia Day 2015, with a day of special events planned for Australia’s premier tourist and historic precinct, The Rocks.
From midday, George Street South will be closed to traffic and transformed into “The Common” - a relaxation zone, complete with Astro turf, greenery, performances and street party games. Join us for a game of Croquet as we count down Triple J’s Hottest 100.
There will be something for everyone to enjoy, with unique and entertaining musical performances, including the musical ‘Sound Garden’.
The Green at First Fleet Park will host some of Australia’s best contemporary performers, including the nine-piece, R&B-inspired group Saskwatch and indie folk singer Dustin Tebbutt. Fresh from a string of sell-out shows, Thelma Plum will bring her expansive soundscape to the stage. And don’t miss the fun, funky beats of The Bombay Royale or Benny Walker’s blues, roots and acoustic soul.
The Laneway at Atherden Street will showcase the harmonies of female folk trio Little May, the electronic beats of Fishing featuring special guest Al from Cloud Control, and Central Coast folk duo Winterbourne. Kicking off the Laneway – Atherden Street lineup are Sydney bluegrass boys The Morrisons, and pop ‘n’ rollers The Lulu Raes.
Australia Day at The Rocks attracted more than 105,000 visitors between midday and 6pm in 2014.
WHEN: Monday 26 January 2015
TIME: Noon – 6pm
WHERE: The Rocks.
COST: FREE
AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS AT THE STAR (PYRMONT, SYDNEY)
Sydney’s premiere entertainment destination, The Star will help Sydneysiders celebrate everything there is to love about being Australian this Australia Day long weekend with a range of dining and entertainment offerings.
Get a dose of Australiana with live performances from Shannon Noll and Mahalia Barnes at Rock Lily, take in the view of Sydney Harbour from Sky Terrace, or choose from a range of special dining offers at some of The Star’s signature restaurants and casual eateries.
Rock Lily
Rock Lily is celebrating Australia Day with $14 Rum Rebel and The First Fleet cocktails, $10 slushie cocktails, $8 Convict Juice and $8 schooners of James Squire 150 Lashes pale ale and Tooheys New. During the Australia Day long weekend, Rock Lily will also play host to a range of FREE live music acts including Mahalia Barnes (25th Jan) and Shannon Noll (26 Jan).
Sky Terrace
Enjoy an Australia Day BBQ atop The Star’s rooftop bar, Sky Terrace. Take in the views of Sydney Harbour and enjoy the sounds of DJ KLEVAKUTZ and DJ ALAN T whilst sipping your favourite drink. Sky Terrace will be offering $6 Aussie beers and $15 Pavan and Midori jugs.
Australia Day BBQ menu:
- Sizzling pork and fennel sausage in a baguette with sauerkraut, grilled onions and provolone cheese - $8
- BBQ steak sandwich with bush tomato relish - $8
- Home-made beef pies with mushy peas and gravy - $8
- Nachos with guacamole and pico de gallo - $8
- Mövenpick ice-cream cart - 2 scoops $5: chocolate, carmelita, espresso, straciatella, raspberry sorbet and mango sorbet
24/7 Sports Bar
24/7 Sports Bar will broadcast all of the action of the Australian Open across its mega screens. On Australia Day, enjoy $15 Bundy spiced rum cocktails, $8 schooners of James Squire 150 Lashes pale ale and crumbed lamb cutlets with ‘bad boy chips’ and rosemary jus for $17.
Ferrython
The Ferrython is an Australian tradition and highlight of Australia Day. The Star is proud to have their own ferry and will go head-to-head: racing from Circular Quay to Shark Island and back to a glorious finish at the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Soak up the Australia Day atmosphere and head to Sydney Harbour to cheer on your favourite ferry.
When: Australia Day (Monday 26 January), 11am
Where: Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay
Sokyo
Enjoy Japanese dining with a twist at Sokyo. Choose from Sokyo’s à la carte menu or enjoy one of their Australia Day long weekend dinner specials (23-26 Jan):
- Robata: Grilled Wagyu T-bone, 650g served with Sokyo dipping sauces - $95
- Green tea lamington with white chocolate and coconut sorbet - $17
Balla
From 12-26 January 2015, Balla presents ‘The Big Aussie Barbecue’, prepared over Balla’s famous wood grill. These Australia Day inspired specials will feature some of Australia’s best seafood dishes such as South Australian calamari, giant tiger prawns and Moreton Bay bugs, alongside Aussie favourites such as barbecued lamb and dry-aged beef rib eye.
The Big Aussie BBQ menu:
- Wild tiger prawns with chilli mayonnaise - $40
- South Australian calamari with tomato and almond sauce - $45
- Moreton Bay bugs with garlic butter - $44
- Dry-aged grass-fed beef rib eye with anchovy butter - $52
- Lamb cutlets with roast garlic dressing - $38
- Premium kangaroo loin fillet with black peppercorn sauce - $36
Fat Noodle
Visit Fat Noodle and choose from their regular menu, or feast on their Australia Day long weekend special available for dinner on Friday, 23 January and lunch and dinner for the rest of the long weekend; Vietnamese beer battered half lobster served with Asian mushroom sauce, Jasmin rice and English broccoli. Enjoy with a glass of sparkling wine for $39.
Food Quarter
Food Quarter is offering a range of Australian inspired menu items especially for Australia Day (26 January):
- Lamb roast served with roast vegetables - $18.50
- Chilli bug spaghetti - $18
- Seafood pizza - $13.50
- Lamb pie - $7
- Lamington - $4.50
Garden Buffet
Visit Garden Buffet this Australia Day long weekend (24-26 January 2015) and enjoy fresh seafood, delicious pastas, salads and more as well as an Australian themed menu with live stations featuring Aussie classics.
Lunch price:
Sat-Sun - $39.90 (Adult) / $17.90 (Child)
Mon (Australia Day) - $41.90 (Adult) / $19.90 (Child)
Dinner price:
Sat-Sun - $46.90 (Adult) / $17.90 (Child)
Mon (Australia Day) - $47.90 (Adult) / $19.90 (Child)
CITY CIDER GARDEN AT BRUNSWICK STREET CIDER HOUSE (BRUNSWICK, MELBOURNE)
Melbourne's premiere dedicated cider venue, the Brunswick Street Cider House, will be popping up a backyard cider garden in time for Australia Day celebrations. The Brunswick Street bar was forced to turn away hundreds of people from its AusFest celebrations last year, and founder Ben Day vowed this year would be different, launching a new garden bar.
“We’ve completely redeveloped a vacant concrete space at the back of our cider house into a beautifully grassed garden bar with white picket fences, French provincial seating, traditional English hedging and old pallets transformed into a herb garden which line the back wall.”
AusFest 2015 will see visitors get their own personal stein, a good ole slow cooked pork roll (or vegan option), traditional Apple Crumble with calvados creme anglaise and vanilla ice cream and access to the new cider garden.
Practically everything served on the day is made on site from scratch in the Cider House, which prides itself on the next evolution of pub dining, serving quality food which caters for all dietary requirements, including its cider, which is gluten free.
The cider house has 17 ciders on tap, including ciders poured from traditional English engine pumps, and Kelly Brothers farmhouse cider served fresh from a French Oak Barrel, which is mixed on site.
There are also 40 bottled cider varieties from local and international producers, including traditional methode champagnoise ciders, boutique wines and craft beer.
www.theciderhouse.com.au/events
THE TRIFFID'S HOTTEST 100 PARTY (NEWSTEAD, BRISBANE)
This Brisbane venue will be transforming their beer garden into the ultimate backyard soiree for Brisbane's official Triple J Hottest 100 Party, featuring all the wonderful and expected fare like a backyard BBQ and cold brews. The party will feature live music from Brisbane four-piece Millions. Kicking off at 10am, The Triffid’s new Craft Beer Bar will be stocked with a tasty selection of boutique beers and Howzat Burgers by Philip Johnson will be on the grill!
In addition there's the following pre-Aus Day events over the weekend.
Friday 23 January
THE GROWLERS with BABE RAINBOW & DONNY LOVE
After showcasing their ‘Beach Goth’ at sold-out shows across Australia earlier this year, California’s The Growlers returned home to California to bring you ‘Chinese Fountain’, a new full-length album of reverb-heavy surf-guitar, Bakersfield-style honky-tonk, and ‘80s post-punk that fans have come to expect, but this time with a whole mix of new sounds.
7pm – 12pm
Saturday 24 January
TRIFFID PRESENTS: A MOSMAN ALDER CURATED EVENT
Featuring Soviet X-Ray Record Club, Big Bad Echo, Smoke, Nonsemble, Teva Upclock and a stripped back Mosman Alder. That's a whole lot of music for your long weekend!
