The 26th of January is a date ingrained in Australian history and marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.
Today, it’s a time to celebrate everything beaut about being Aussie.
From the beach to the bush, the 26th is a day to don the flag, tuck into a pie with dead horse, head to the beach and throw back a few cold ones.
Here’s a round-up of what’s happening this Australia Day in Sydney - there’s something for every larrikin. It’s bound to be a rip-snorter of a day!
The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney
The Australian Heritage Hotel has been serving the good people of Sydney since 1824 and this Australia day a backyard BBQ is going down at this true, blue Aussie pub in the Rocks. With a VB bar to quench your thirst, a sausage sizzle and lamingtons to satisfy your stomach, and Australian map-shaped pizzas in three tasty flavours - kangaroo, crocodile and emu. Now that’s good tucker!
The Royal, Leichhardt
A juicy burger and VB for $24 - how’s that for an Aussie combo? Pretty fair dinkum we think! The tunes and amber fluid will be flowing at the Royal Leichhardt on the 26th of January.
The Bank Hotel, Newtown
All the fun happens in the Bank Hotel’s backyard beer garden. Get involved in backyard Olympics, drink Willie The Boatman’s limited edition beer ‘Alby Mangels Aussie Ale’ and get stuck into a classic Aussie steak sanga.
The Glenmore, The Rocks, Sydney
What’s better than sinking cold beers and gazing out to two great Aussie icons - the Harbour Bridge and Opera House? We think that’s as good as it gets on Australia Day. Sounds like a pretty scenic slice of Sydney to us. The Glenmore’s rooftop party kicks off at 10am It’s also the perfect viewing point to see the ferry and tall ship race from Circular Quay across the harbour.
Opera Bar, Sydney
The best pozzy on the harbour, Opera Bar is serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner with a side of uninterrupted views of the Coathanger and Opera House. Opera Bar’s garden oasis will be open from 8am, with live entertainment from 2.30pm and offers front row seats for Australia Day Sydney Harbour entertainment including the great Sydney swim, Sydney’s Ferrython and tug and yacht ballet.
The Green’s, North Sydney
Sydney Harbour views, live music and a backyard BBQ menu that will keep the whole mob happy! We’re talking wattle smoked lamb sandwiches, Queensland tiger prawns and sausage sangas for the kids, and to top it all off lamington donuts, passionfruit pavlova and “timtammisu”.
The Keg & Brew, Surry Hills
Hop into the Keg & Brew this Australia Day for the Hoppiest 100 Beach Party. Countdown the year’s hottest 100 craft beers to the soundtrack of Triple J’s Hottest 100. Come dressed to impress in your best Aussie get-up for there’s bar tabs and eskys on the line! If that doesn’t get you grinning like a shot fox then hear this - $5 tinnies and an Aussie BBQ menu.
The Courthouse, Newtown
Showcase your Aussie pride in your best ‘Straya outfit in the bogan pageant and take part in the Courty Thong Toss at this Newtown watering hole. 10am kick off, Young Henry’s tinnies and some good, canteen tucker.
The Welcome Hotel, Rozelle
Craft beers, Triple J’s Hottest 100, a Ping Pong Championship and prizes! What more could you want on Australia Day? Winners of the Best Pub Food in 2015, you are guaranteed a great feed, good tunes and a good ol’ time at The Welcome Hotel. There’s limited spots available, so register soon to secure your spot on the Ping Pong table.
Dove and Olive, Surry Hills
Good beers, good tunes and good times is what the Dove and Olive are promising on the 26th of January. Voted Time Out’s ‘Pub of the Year’ 2015, we think their Australia Day Pool Party sounds pretty beaut. Same deal as the Keg & Brew - $5 beers, classic, BBQ menu, Triple J tunes and a craft beer countdown.
The Tudor, Redfern
Chow down on a Kanga Banga or Roo burger and throw back $5 tinnies at The Tudor in Redfern. Within a cooee of Sydney this rooftop terrace will be host to good tunes and good times.
The Erko, Erskineville
The Erko has been bringing an American barbeque revolution to the Inner West and now Sydney siders are catching on. Priding itself on American style smoked meats and veggies, the Erko has us drooling at its Australia Day menu - Yoder smoked Kangaroo, chiko rolls and Aussie burgers. Wash it all down with Willie The Boatman’s limited edition beer ‘Alby Mangels Aussie Ale’.
Public House, Petersham
Young Henry’s tinnies, a carpark party featuring paddling pool and volleyball, Aussie pizzas and Triple J’s countdown will see the Public House pumping this Australia Day. You may even be lucky enough to nab yourself a Young Henry’s limited edition Australia Day tee, printed on-site.
Sackville Hotel, Rozelle
The Sacky carpark ain’t for parking this Australia Day! It’s for live music, a gourmet Aussie BBQ and VB tinnies. How ‘straya can you get?!
Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel, Watson’s Bay
Australia Day is always a stinker so why not spend it by the beach?! Grab your best mate for the annual Every Man and His Dog stand up paddle boarding event with great prizes to be won and a Dash for Cash, you better dust off your SUP. For those wanting to stay dry a $45 beach BBQ is on offer while live DJ’s will be spinning Aussie classics all day long.
The Sheaf, Double Bay
Croc on a spit? Yes, it’s a thing and apparently tastes like chicken! Sample that and the sounds of the Sheaf Supergroup pumping out Aussie rock and pop classics on the 26th of January. Open from 10am, the Sheaf is a hot-spot for some Australia day fun and DJs will have you dancing late into the night.
The Buena Vista Hotel, Mosman
How about a big, Aussie BBQ with your family, mates and community at the Buena? Have a yarn, sip on a cold beer, or glass of cab sav and enjoy a sausage sizzle and steaks cooked to juicy perfection.
Manly Wharf Hotel, Manly
Cheese and vegemite pizza, a BBQ on the jetty and beers under the Sydney sun - Manly Wharf bar is bringing you the best Aussie combos on Australia Day. Featuring summer, seaside vibes and Dj Devola on the decks.
The Collaroy, Collaroy
What could be better than Australia Day by the beach? Crab racing, cocktails and live music at the Collaroy by the beach! An Aussie combination not to be missed - go for a swim, wash the sand off your feet and kick back with a cold drink at this seaside venue. Keep the kids happy with crab racing and sausage sambos.
The Sands, Narrabeen
The Sands Hotel’s Annual Beer Pong competition is back this Australia Day. Watch the fun or take part while quenching your thirst with $5 Aussie day cocktails and busting moves to Triple J’s Hottest 100.
Seabreeze Beach Hotel, South West Rocks
Heading even further North? Make sure you stop by The Seabreeze Hotel to release your competitive streak. Crab racing, a prawn peeling competition, lamb shank pies, live music and face painting and lucky dips for the kids.
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