Your guide to the Australia Day long weekend
Looking for an Australia Day event? Unsure if your bottle shop will be open? Want to delight the kids with fireworks? We have everything you need to know about what’s open and what you can do over the Australia Day long weekend.
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Australians are in for a “bonza” weekend with plenty of celebrations planned across Victoria this weekend.
As Australia Day falls on a Saturday this year, Monday the 28th will be an observed holiday, meaning a long weekend for some.
In the city, there will be an official flag-raising ceremony, followed by a parade starting at Swanston St.
If you’re keen to see fireworks, go down to the Docklands, where from 6pm there will be plenty to keep the family entertained, with roaming artists, entertainment and markets, and the display set to blast off at 9pm.
If you need to grab supplies for a party, most supermarkets and bottle shops will be operating to normal hours on both days.
Additionally, all major shopping centres will be open on both days, but will trade to amended hours.
On Monday, public transport will mostly run to a Saturday timetable, but some services may be altered or will not run.
If you’re a sports junkie, Geelong is the place to be with the Festival of Sails and the Cadel Evans road race both happening across the weekend.
Weather-wise, it’s shaping up to be perfect conditions with a top of 27 degrees expected on Australia Day and 25 degrees on Sunday, before warming up to 29 degrees on Monday.
To take the hassle out of your Australia Day weekend, we have everything you need to know about what’s open and what you can do over the long weekend.
WHERE TO WATCH THE HERALD SUN TOUR
OUR GUIDE TO CADEL EVAN’S ROAD RACE
WHERE TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL IN MELBOURNE
SUPERMARKETS OPEN IN MELBOURNE ON AUSTRALIA DAY
Woolworths: Weekend hours will be the same as regular trading hours. All Victorian stores will be open on Australia Day Public Holiday, Monday 28th January 2019, except Bourke Street and Collins Square will be closed. Check for your store’s revised opening hours.
Coles: All stores will be open their normal hours.
Aldi: Victorian trading hours will vary over the long weekend, so it’s best to check your local store’s hours online.
Bottle shops: Most Liquorland, BWS will be operating to normal hours. Most Dan Murphy’s stores will be operating to normal trading hours over the weekend, then 9am to 7pm on Monday.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Trains: Trains will run to a Saturday timetable. Night Network services will not run.
Trams: Trams will operate to a Saturday frequency, with the last tram one hour earlier than the normal timetabled service. Times may also differ slightly from the Saturday timetable.
Night Network services will not run.
Buses: Most services will run to a Saturday timetable, but some services may be altered or will not run.
Regional trains: Services will run to an altered Saturday timetable.
Regional buses: Services will run to an altered Saturday timetable.
Use PTV’s journey planner to help you get to your destination.
SHOPPING CENTRES OPEN ON AUSTRALIA DAY
Chadstone — January 26: 10am — 6pm. January 28: 10am — 6pm
Highpoint: January 26: 10am — 6pm. January 28: 10am — 5pm
Melbourne Central: January 26: 10am — 7pm. January 28: 10am — 6pm
Melbourne Emporium: January 26: 10am — 7pm. January 28: 10am — 6pm
Doncaster: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Knox: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Southland: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Geelong: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Plenty Valley: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Airport West: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Fountain Gate: January 28: 10am — 5pm
Bayside: January 26: 9pm — 5pm. January 28: 10am — 5pm
Eastland: January 26: 9am — 7pm. January 28: 10am — 5pm
The Glen: January 26: 9am — 5pm. January 28 : 10am — 5pm
Northland: January 26: 9am — 5pm. January 28 : 10am — 5pm
Pacific Epping: January 26: 9am — 5pm. January 28 : 10am — 5pm
Pacific Werribee: January 26: 9am — 6pm. January 28: 10am — 5pm
Watergardens: January 26: 9am — 5pm. January 28 : 10am — 5pm
Myer Bourke Street store: January 26: 9.30am — 7.30pm. January 28: 10am — 7pm
David Jones Bourke Street store: January 26: 9am — 7pm. January 28: 10am — 7pm
ATTRACTIONS
NGV: 10am-5pm
ACMI at Fed Square: 10am-5pm
Eu reka Skydeck: 10am-10pm
F ederation Square: Open 24 hours
Melbourne Museum: 10am-5pm
Luna Park: 11am-11pm
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel: 11am-10pm
Melbourne Zoo: Open 9am — 5pm
Healesville Sanctuary: Open 9am — 5pm
Werribee Open Range Zoo: Open 9am — 5pm
Royal Botanical Gardens: Open 7.30am to sunset
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium: Open 9:30am — 6pm (Last entry at 5pm)
Shrine of Remembrance: 10am — 5pm
S tate Library of Victoria: 10am-6pm
Old Melbourne Gaol: 9.30am — 5.00pm
Melbourne Sports Museum: 10am-5pm
FESTIVITIES
Official flag raising ceremony
Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne — Saturday January 26, 2019, 10.30am — 11am
The Official Flag Raising Ceremony marks the beginning of Melbourne’s Australia Day celebration. Hosted by the Premier of Victoria and attended by the Governor of Victoria, the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne and other dignitaries, the Official Flag Raising ceremony features an inspection of the Tri-Service Royal Guard of Honour, the Australia Day Affirmation and the singing of the Australian National Anthem.
Australia Day Parade
Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD — Saturday January 26, 2019, 11am — 11.45am
Immediately following the Official Flag Raising Ceremony, spectators will be treated to a vibrant public display of our diverse community with more than 1,000 participants from over 80 community and cultural groups taking part in Melbourne’s annual Australia Day Parade.
RACV Australia Day festival
Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne — Saturday January 26, 2019, 11am — 4pm
There will be displays from a broad range of community groups and the 2019 RACV Australia Day Heritage Vehicle Showcase. Foodies will enjoy vibrant street food and a festive atmosphere in our Food Truck Park, and families will love the main stage program complete with kids yoga, bands and our headline act, Justice League. Take advantage of the fantastic view of the Roulettes flyover at 12.30pm.
Fireworks at Docklands
Harbour Esplanade, Docklands — Saturday January 26, 2019, 6pm — 9.30pm. Fireworks at 9pm.
Finish your day at our fireworks spectacular down at Docklands! Located along Harbour Esplanade, with plenty happening to keep the family entertained with roaming artists, entertainment and markets.
Dandenong Australia Day Festival
Dandenong Park, corner of Pultney and Foster streets on Saturday January 26, 2019, from 3pm to 9.30pm.
This family friendly, alcohol free event will feature free activities, rides, market stalls, a dedicated food court, roaming performers and live entertainment before concluding with fireworks at 9.25pm.
Hastings foreshore festival
Hastings Foreshore, Marine Parade — 9am-2pm
An awesome one day event filled to the brim with FREE family fun! Designed to bring the community together, it includes a free breakfast, kids activities, amusements, workshops, demonstrations, face-painting and live music. It also showcases a curated selection of the very best Untold Event Co market stall holders sprawled around the picturesque lawns of the foreshore.
Australia Day Salute
Shrine of Remembrance, Corner St Kilda Road and Domain Road, Melbourne — 12pm
The Royal Australian Artillery commemorates Australia Day each year with a 21 gun salute fired from Shrine’s Lower Forecourt by the Royal Australian Artillery. Note: The salute is extremely loud and it is recommended that visitors with small children or pets maintain an appropriate distance from the guns.
Government House
Government House Drive, Melbourne — 9:30am-3:30pm (House tours 10am-3pm)
Pack a picnic and bring the family to explore Government House, one of Victoria’s most grandiose buildings. There will be plenty of activities run by community groups and live entertainment; the house will also be open for self guided tours. One of our top picks for celebrating Australia Day, be sure to check the website for a full guide.
Festival of the Sails
25 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong — Friday January 26 to Sunday January 28
The Festival of Sails is one of Australia’s oldest sporting events and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest keelboat regatta with more than 3,000 competitors annually. Those not competing can experience the free accompanying Shoreside Festival on the Geelong waterfront with food vans, market stalls, live entertainment and fireworks.
Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Geelong — January 24 to January 27.
The Cadel Evans road race is set to take the picturesque Great Ocean Road for the fifth year running. The UCI World Tour event has become a staple on the Australian racing calendar and is growing in popularity each year. Five different races will be taking place over the four days of competition from January 24 to January 27. The Elite Women’s Race will compete on Saturday, before the Elite Men’s event on Sunday.
CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO THE CADEL EVANS ROAD RACE.
BARS AND PUBS OPEN ON AUSTRALIA DAY IN MELBOURNE
The Langham
3/1 Southgate Ave, Southbank
The Langham’s Melba restaurant has tweaked their delicious menu to hero some of Australia’s ingredients and dishes. From the humble pavlova, to freshly baked lamingtons and straight out of the oven damper and even roast beef with a Vegemite Glaze there will be something for everyone. And of course, there will be plenty of Aussie wine and beer on offer.
400 Gradi — Essendon, Brunswick, Eastland
Indulge in the latest ‘Bottomless Margherita’ offering, with two hours of endless cocktails, beer, wine and Gradi’s renowned Margherita pizza. From 4 — 6pm, all for a mere $45.
If you’re searching for something a little more refreshing, Zero Gradi is conveniently located right next door to the Brunswick venture. It’s the only way you can prevent yourself from melting away in the heat with a heavenly mouthful of creamy, authentic Italian gelato.
Galah
216 High Street, Windsor
Galah, Windsor’s freshest watering hole is serving up Galah — no, not a bird — a delicious grapefruit margarita in homage to Australia’s favourite native bird. And the bird themed drinks don’t stop there, with the Cockatoo, Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeet all to be honoured with a bespoke cocktail. And if you feel guilty about ditching your mate’s backyard, rest easy because Galah will be donating $1 for each of the four cocktails sold to conservation group Bird Life Australia.
Tokosan
142 Greville St, Prahran
Instead of having left over snags and coleslaw, head to Tokosan on Sunday 27th instead. The team will be hosting a free BBQ from midday (free with the purchase of a drink). There will be crowd favourites grilled yakitori skewers with a teriyaki and sichimi sauce and grilled pork skewers with a chilli miso. Stick around until 6pm to have a crack at their karaoke (we say, the more Dutch courage the better!)
Cannings Free Range Butchers
If you’ve left your BBQ prep to the last minute, you have no need to worry. Cannings has joined Deliveroo to offer a ‘Butcher-to-BBQ’ service, where customers can order a range of free range meats, meat packs, condiments and dessert straight to their door. And for this weekend only Deliveroo are offering half-price meat packs to make sure none of your guest will be talking about your BBQ game for years to come. But get it quick number are li-meat-ed.
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