Sydney Eat Street: Where to celebrate Australia Day
Enjoy the Australia Day long weekend with some true-blue Aussie food — from traditional sausage sandwiches and burgers, to Aussie-inspired cuisine like kangaroo and emu meat pizzas, or even some special cocktails showcasing native ingredients and flavours.
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THE SQUIRE’S LANDING
Circular Quay will be abuzz come Australia Day with live music, parades, games and even a reptile show at this harbourside hotspot.
To fit it all in though you’ll be flat out like a lizard drinking, which is all the more reason to take some time out for a beer and backyard BBQ at The Squire’s Landing.
This restaurant and brewhouse is named after Australia’s first brewer, James Squire — a convict sent out on the First Fleet who not long after arriving had another brush with the law.
His crime this time was for nicking “herbal medicines” he sheepishly knew replicated the flavour of hops.
He was caught but as he had been secretly brewing beer for a number of ranking soldiers, he avoided death and was sentenced instead to 150 lashes … and two barrels of beer.
It’s quite a tale and one told over a meal of Aussie classics such as lamb off the spit, prawn skewers, beef burgers complete with fried egg and beetroot; and sausage and steak sandwiches with grilled onions.
“They’re just some of the foods I remember as a kid. Stuff we grew up on,” head chef Ed Burgess says.
“We’d go out on Australia Day and there would be portable BBQs all around. Adults would get a steak and us kids would get a snag on a piece of white bread.”
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In addition to the picnic fare, there will also be a James Squire beer-battered fish and chips on order which Burgess makes sure is a regular on the menu.
“If you haven’t had fish and chips on the harbour then you haven’t been to Sydney,” he says.
— Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks; thesquireslanding.com.au
THE AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE HOTEL
When you’re looking for an iconic watering hole to celebrate Australia Day, there’s no turning your back on this 100-year old pub known locally as “The Aussie”.
Its unique two-level corner location still retains many of the original fixings and true to its name, unabashedly embraces all things Aussie.
There’s even a kangaroo and emu meat pizza, the Coat of Arms pizza, a nod to two native creatures that physically cannot retreat, as well one to represent the Top End, a crocodile pizza with white sauce.
Over the long weekend, a few more quirky renditions of the classic will be on offer including a kanga sanga, crocodile egg rolls, and a Caramello Koala chocolate cheesecake.
Speaking of classics, tinnies of VB and Hawke’s Beer, named after the gregarious former prime minister, Bob Hawke will sell for $2 but only for 15 minutes after a bell is rung.
There’ll also be a national beer paddle with a brew from every state, PIMM’s on tap and a Bloody Mary bar on Monday.
There’ll be live music and the Australian Open up on outdoor screens and for Australia Day itself, they’ll be playing the annual Triple J Hottest 100. Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi!
— 100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks; australianheritagehotel.com
BEERHAÜS
Is there anything more Australian than a chicken schnitty? Nope, there really isn’t so it’s almost your patriotic duty to head down to Beerhaüs for their limited edition loaded schnitzel — classic crumbed chicken topped with bacon, Australian cheddar cheese and … a fried egg.
“Australia is a vibrant, multicultural country. I wanted to showcase this by combining traditional Australian ingredients with the traditional German dishes found at Munich Beerhaüs, The Bavarian and Beerhaüs to create a delicious and culturally harmonious Australia Day menu,” Rockpool Dining Group’s culinary director for casual brands, Don Lama, says.
Equally Aussie would be the giant Bunnings-inspired sausage sandwich made with a hearty bratwurst, grilled onions, cheddar cheese and tomato sauce or opt for an Aussie cheeseburger with a big ol’ slice of beetroot. Wash that down with $7 schooners of Australian craft beer.
While you’re there take in some entertainment with free arcade games, table tennis and other competitions with Triple J Hottest 100 playing throughout Australia Day itself. (Menu available at Beerhaüs, Munich Beerhaüs and The Bavarian locations.)
— Barangaroo, York St and Kotara locations; thebeerhaus.com.au
AUSTRALIA DAY ROUNDUP
Streets all around Sydney will be alive with great fun things to do on Australia Day, not to mention the dozens of citizenship ceremonies taking place. Here are just some of the places you can eat, drink and be merry:
Liverpool Australia Day: Woodward Park, Liverpool
George’s River Council Australia Day: Carrs Park
Australia Day in Darling Harbour, Children’s Festival: Tumbalong Park
Parramatta Park: Pitt and Macquarie streets, Parramatta
Shark Island Picnic: Captain Cook Cruises
Australia Day in Blacktown: Rooty Hill Historic site, Rooty Hill
Cronulla Beach: 22 R/38 Gerral St, Cronulla
OPERA BAR
Sitting adjacent to the Opera House with a view over the water to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera Bar is a favourite destination for locals and visitors alike, but it really takes top billing when fireworks are alight along the harbour.
This Australia Day, to secure pole position to all the festivities, you can pre-purchase a $25 ticket that will also give you access to a private bar plus and if you’re one of the first 200 people to do so, you get to take home an Opera Bar tote filled with Aussie cult classics, including Tim Tams, 4 Pines merchandise and much more.
The party isn’t just for one day though as all weekend they’ll be offering Aussie-inspired cocktails including the ‘Breakfast of Champions’ — a cocktail made with local distiller Archie Rose’s ‘Archie Mite Buttered Toast Spirit’ lemon myrtle, tomato water, soda and topped with a mini cheese toastie.
You’ll need more than that little bite to eat so try their Aussie beef burger and chips deal for just $22; classic fisherman’s basket with prawns, calamari, beer battered fish bites and chips for $30; or opt for some beloved seafood such as fresh rock oysters.
There’ll be live music with surf tunes and a giant Jenga game for entertainment. Plus in the spirit of mateship, the chefs have created a concoction of breakfast and dessert with a salted caramel Vegemite slice served with a mini koala, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to WIRES.
— Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House, Sydney; operabar.com.au
THE ROCKS – SYDNEY STREET PARTY
It’s all happening down on George St in The Rocks, the place where European settlement all started.
Along Australia’s original ‘High St’ (later changed to George St in honour of King George), the road will be closed off and turned into one huge party complete with giant games, chill-out zones, live entertainment and pop-up bars.
Sydney’s oldest pub, the Fortune of War, will take its brews and BBQ down to First Fleet Park where there’ll also be live music and DJs.
The Rocks Markets will also get in on the action with additional food vendors and stallholders selling Australian made products.
Throughout the long weekend there’ll be plenty of places with Aussie-inspired items on the menu such as El Camino Cantina’s vanilla-flavoured, fairy bread margarita or a garden BBQ with free lamingtons at The Argyle.
After all that eating, you’ll be grateful for a rest so find yourself a spot to sit and enjoy the fireworks.
BBQ BY THE BRIDGE
Culinary delights from around the world will land at Bradfield Park, Milsons Point this Australia Day from 10am-4pm at the annual BBQ by the Bridge.
Grab some lunch from a selection of stalls featuring traditional foods from Korea, South America, Brazil and more.
Find a spot on the sloping grass hill, an ideal vantage point to catch all the action on the water with the Ferrython, Tall Ship Races and Australia Day Regatta.
There’ll also be plenty of family-friendly games and entertainment as well as live music from party band, Jelly Bean Jam that will keep your toes tapping throughout the day.
AUSTRALIA DAY IN LIVERPOOL
Liverpool will celebrate its diverse community this Australia Day from 5-10pm with an array of live entertainment, carnival rides, games, showbags and international cuisines.
Gates open at 4pm with festivities commencing at 5pm, followed by an impressive fireworks show at 9pm
— Woodward Park, Hoxton Park Rd, Liverpool; liverpool.nsw.gov.au
TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD
Australian produce gets a bit of Latin American flare with this six-dish Australia Day share banquet that starts off with a ‘Green and Gold’ margarita on arrival.
From there it’s a selection that includes ceviche taco, grilled Freemantle octopus, mixed mushroom tacos, guacamole, fried kipfler potatoes and the Charcoal Chicken a la Brassa, which coincidentally (or not) just happens to have a bit of green and gold of its own. ($70pp, sittings 12-2.45pm; 5.30-8pm)
— 6 Heeley St, Paddington; tequila-mockingbird.com.au
EMPLOYEES ONLY
One of the founders of the uber-cool New York bar, Employees Only, has brought his mojo to Sydney, opening up an equally hip basemen level bar and restaurant.
Known for its world-class cocktails on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, they’ll be making four different Australian-inspired cocktails with 100 per cent of proceeds going to NSW RFS.
Just imagine what will be produced when their elite mixologist blend Appleton VX dark rum, quince brandy, orange sherbet and yellow chartreuse together and set it before you in tall wine glass. Delish.
— 9A Barrack St, Sydney; employeesonlysyd.com
BUCKLEY’S
There’s not a Buckley’s chance that you’ll want to miss this stop on your Australia Day travails, Northern Beaches brewers, Modus Operandi will be taking over the tap in the courtyard from 12pm.
Hang around for live music and peruse the specials board for some limited-edition Aussie
— 18/7 Macquarie St, Sydney; buckleyssydney.com.au
AND MORE...
Above 319 Vibe Hotel, Darling Harbour: January 26, 12-6pm. Rooftop bar and restaurant, gourmet hot dogs, Aussie beer buckets, fish & chips and music from DJ Missy.
— 319-325 Sussex St, Sydney; tfehotels.com/en/hotels/vibe-hotels/sydney-darling-harbour/rooftop-bar/
Braza Churrascaria: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 25-27. Traditional Brazilian BBQ with whole lamb of the spit, BBQ octopus and brisket ($59pp)
— Shop 18 & 19, 1-25 Harbour St, Sydney; braza.com.au/australia-day-2020/
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL: Australia Day Weekend, January 25-26. $1 lamingtons, Triple J Hottest 100, Live Music, Aussie Lamb Roast.
— 20-26 Canterbury Rd, Hurlstone Park; chprsl.com.au
Coogee Bay Hotel: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 24-27. Aussie treats, Ping-Pong, pop-ups, games and more.
— 253 Coogee Bay Rd; Coogee; coogeebayhotel.com.au
Cruise Bar: January 26. Front row seat to Australia Day festivities on the Harbour from 12-4.30pm for ferry race ($39pp); 5-10pm for fireworks, ($49pp)
— Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks; facebook.com/CruiseBarSydney/
Fratelli Fresh: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 25-27. Australian-inspired pizza including bacon & egg, Vegemite & cheese, sausage & caramelised onion and ham & pineapple plus steak sangas plus Milo and lamington flavoured gelato.
— For locations, fratellifresh.com.au/reservations/
Harbour Bar & Kitchen: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 24-27. Fish & Chips with schooner of Aussie beer $25, Triple J Hottest 100, waterfront views.
— 447 Harbourside shopping centre, Level 2, 2-10 Darling Dr, Darling Harbour; facebook.com/harbourbarandkitchen/
Hotel Steyne Manly: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 24-27. Friday, meat raffle; Saturday, DJs and free sausage sizzle from 5pm; Sunday, True Blue Aussie Bogan Party with prizes for best dressed, live music; Monday, Triple J Hottest 100
— 75 The Corso, Manly; facebook.com/Hotelsteynemanly/
Kirribilli Hotel: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 24-27. Live music, Triple J Hottest 100, pie eating competitions, craft beer takeovers, gourmet Aussie pie & burger menu and prizes.
Through to January 31, $2 from the purchase of a Brigade Burger & Themed Cocktail will be donated to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
— 37 Broughton St, Milsons Point; kirribillihotel.com.au
Manly Wharf Bar “Wharfy’s”: Australia Day, January 26, 11am till late. BBQ on the Jetty, waterfront views and Aussie classic cheese and Vegemite pizza
— East Esplanade, Manly; facebook.com/mwhotel/
Planar Restaurant: Australia Day Weekend, January 26. Aussie beef burger & chips with schooner of Aussie beer $25, Triple J Hottest 100.
— Ground Floor, International Convention Centre Tenancy C08 / 1A Harbour St, Darling Harbour; facebook.com/Planarrestaurant/
Robertson Public House and Kitchen: Australia Day, January 26, 11am. Pie eating competition, Keg Toss, $10 house-made sausage rolls and a schooner and Aussie Bistro Food.
— 89 Hoddle St, Robertson; facebook.com/robertsonpublichouse/
The Argyle: Australia Day, January 26, 11am to late. Large outdoor courtyard BBQ plus gourmet meat pies, laminations, smashed avo, Tim Tam margaritas, live music and Sydney’s best DJs.
— 18 Argyle St, The Rocks, facebook.com/TheArgyleRocks/
The Glenmore: Australia Day Long Weekend Rooftop Party, January 25-27. Australian menu & drinks all weekend; Saturday - Tripe J Hottest 100; Sunday- Live music, view of the ferry faces and fireworks; Sunday – live music and $12 Bloody Marys.
— 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks; facebook.com/theglenmore/
The Greens North Sydney: Australia Long Weekend, January 25-27. View of Sydney Harbour, live music, DJs and Aussie food favourites.
— 50 Ridge St, North Sydney; thegreensnorthsydney.com.au
The Royal Hotel: Bottomless Brunch, $85 Aussie-themed food and cocktails, January 25 and 26.
— 237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington; royalhotel.com.au
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel: Australia Day, January 26. Sounds like Summer beachside party featuring international and local artist. Tickets from $69pp.
— 1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay; watsonsbayhotel.com.au
Woollahra Hotel: Australia Day Long Weekend, January 25-27. Tinnies and food specials throughout the long weekend. Saturday – Triple J Hottest 100, Sunday – DJs from 4pm, Monday – acoustic session and Bloody Marys.
— 116 Queen St, Woollahra; woollahrahotel.com.au
Woolwich Pier Hotel: Australia Day, January 26. Aussie classic tunes from 2-9pm. Australia Day menu including Aussie Burger, steak sandwich and Pavlova with 50 per cent of proceeds going to bushfire relief.
— 2 Gale St, Woolwich; woolwichpierhotel.com.au/whats-on/
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Where to celebrate Australia Day