The top spots to celebrate Australia Day on the northern beaches
WHETHER you’re looking for family fun, a spot with a view or simply a cold, celebratory beer, there are plenty of options on January 26
Manly
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THURSDAY is a day of celebration, and there’s plenty to do on the beaches.
Start the day with an Aussie breakfast and family fun at one of four council-run barbecue brekkie events by the water.
Camels will arrive at Dee Why beach offering rides, and kids will be endlessly amused with water slides, rides, face painting, stage entertainment and a thong-throwing competition — and of course a barbecue brekkie — from 7am-noon at the beaches’ biggest annual Australia Day event.
Dee Why will also host a car show including modern, vintage and classic cars, along with bikes and hot rods, as well as an address by Australia Day ambassador, veteran singer Kamahl.
Newport Beach will hold a similar family-friendly event. From 7.30-11.30am, Bert Payne Park (394 Barrenjoey Rd) will host breakfast, amusement rides, beach activities and food stalls, and, as at Dee Why, an Australia Day address will be made by Kamahl.
Lakeside Park in North Narrabeen will feature an Australia Day Big Breakfast with amusements and water rides, lawn games, face painting and a thong-throwing contest from 8am until noon.
At the Aquatic Centre in Frenchs Forest (Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest), you’ll be able to get in to the spirit of the day at an Australia Day pool party, featuring a barbecue, giant inflatable slide, with a DJ aqua disco, thong race and painting from 9am to noon. Entry is by gold coin donation.
Freshwater Beach will play host to the annual SLSC Open Surfboat carnival, where iconic Aussie surfboats will battle it out for glory in the waves.
The event starts with an 8am gun and goes through to 1pm. At midday, the national anthem will be sung and oars will be put to attention on the shoreline.
Hotels and eateries will also be marking the day. From 1pm to 4pm, The Belrose Hotel (5 Hews Pde, Belrose), will host a $15 pie and beer combo as well as kids’ colouring contest and temporary tattoo station from 1-3pm.
Harbord Diggers at Freshwater (80 Evans St, Freshwater) is going all out for families with a Family Fun Day, starting at noon.
Kids can enjoy a jumping castle, animal farm, face painters and snow cones from noon to 4pm, plus live entertainment from 3pm. Little ones can also play in the garden, while adults enjoy views of Freshwater and Curl Curl beaches. The Diggers’ Gio Rooftop Bar will also offer steak and sausage sandwiches with cocktails and live music for those seeking a more “grown-up” celebration.
Manly Wharf Bar at Manly Wharf, which opens at 11am, will host a barbecue on the jetty, along with a cheese and vegemite pizza special.
Four Pines Brew Pub (29/43-45 East Esplanade), Manly, and sister bar 4 Pines Public House (313 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport) will offer beers with a view, hosting the a countdown of 100 Aussie craft beers.
The Newport (2 Kalinya St, Newport) will feature music by The Bamboos and Winston Surfshirt, 10am-12am.
Coogee Pavilion’s Rooftop (169 Dolphin St) will feature music in the form of Luke Million and his electro-funk, with support from DJ Dro Carey. The venue will be open from noon to 12am.
Lending a more serious bent to the day will be the Australia Day citizenship ceremony at 2pm at Manly council forecourt, against a backdrop of Manly Wharf.
The ceremony, which welcomes new citizens to the beaches, will include an address by Australia Day ambassador Lisa Darmanin.
Darmanin made her Olympic debut at Rio, winning silver in sailing after earning her stripes from the age of nine at Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club.
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