Sydney’s Ten Best Australia Day Long Weekend Events in 2014

Whether you spend January 26 pumping the Hottest 100 and wading in an ankle-deep paddling pool in your mate's backyard, knocking back tinnies and listening to live music, lazing on the beach or taking the opportunity to wear your favourite bucket hat un-ironically, Australia Day means different things to different people — and that's just fine. It's a day for doing stuff that's uniquely Australian, and no matter what your preference (and yo' price range) we have something for everyone this Aussie Day. 'Strayaaa!

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

There are some pretty epic events on offer over the upcoming Australia Day long weekend. But no schedule is quite as epic as that of Watsons Bay Hotel. With a line-up set to stretch over three days, gear up for beach volleyball, crab racing, beach cricket, stand-up paddle board races, live DJ sets and an Aussie BBQ featuring the special 'Watsons Bay Sausage'. And okay, we're not really sure what an 'epic water trampoline' is, but we know it is running all weekend and sounds really, really rad. Those keen on the stand up paddle races will need to register online here.

January 25, 26 & 27 from 7am; Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, 1 Military Road, Watsons Bay.

The Rocks

There's nothing Aussies like more than a freebie. And Australia Day at The Rocks will be no exception. A fusion of music, arts and activities, the event will stretch across George Street, The Rocks Square and First Fleet Park — uniting Sydneysiders in the very place our nation began. With an unapologetically good musical bill including the uber-popular indie unit Cloud Control, visual art-freestyle rap fusionist Sketch the Rhyme and killer up-and-comers Jones Jnr, this totally free celebration will kick off from 12 noon. Check out George Street for pop-up bars, installations, karaoke stages and paddling pools.

January 26; free; 12 noon-6pm.

Yabun Festival

January 26 is also vital in that it marks the annual Yabun Festival, a showcase of the very best in Indigenous artwork and music, Australia-wide. The biggest of its kind in the country, Yabun will this year celebrate its 12th at Camperdown's Victoria Park and completely free of charge. Emphasising the 2014 theme, 'Survive', come performances from Bart Willoughby Band, Leah Flanagan, King Brown and many more. Then boogie on into the evening with the Yabun After Party at Marrickville's The Factory Theatre. Featured are some of the biggest names in Aussie hip hop, including MC Sky'High and Native Rhyme.

January 26; 10am-6pm; Victoria Park, City Road, Camperdown.

Old School Bakery Pop-Up at Adriano Zumbo

Thought the days you could buy finger buns — with their iconic pink icing and coconut shavings — with the silver scraped from the bottom of your bag were gone? Not quite (you might need more than just silver). Adriano Zumbo is transforming his Rozelle and Waverley patisseries into 'Fluffy's Aussie Bakery' as a creative homage to Australia Day. For ten days Zumbo's will be the classic Aussie bakery with kitsch decor, vintage chalkboard art and baked goods. Among the treats on offer from tomorrow until January 26 are finger buns, neenish tarts, cream buns and lamingtons. All that's missing is a milkshake and sausage roll.

January 17-26; 114 Terry Street, Rozelle and 24 Arden Street, Waverley.

Great Sydney Swim, Sydney Harbour

For many people, Australia Day means donning your saggiest Speedo and getting amongst some sun and saltwater. Beginning at the doorstep of the Opera House, The Great Sydney Swim incorporates all of this Aussie goodness. And the 2.2km swim across Sydney Harbour doesn't even have to be as strenuous as it sounds; there's a variety of swims for every skill (or effort) level. Distances include 300 to 700 metres, as well as the whole 2.2km shebang. Australia Day marks the final swim in January 2014, with prizes up for grabs and every participant receiving a race pack.

January 26; 6.30am-noon; Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour.

Son of a Beach at The Bank Hotel

If you live in the Inner West you probably claim that the only thing the I-dub is lacking in is beaches. But fear not this Australia Day, with The Bank Hotel Newtown bringing the beach west side. We’re talking sand, beach volleyball, DJs, thong-throwing comps — even lifeguards. Sausage sambos and slow-roasted lamb rolls will be available all day, along with Australia’s own Vale Ale and a tequila cart (for those a little confused of their location). And when the sun goes down, head Upstairs at the Bank for live music and cocktails. Son of a Beach will run from 11am till reaaaal late.

January 26; The Bank Hotel, 324 King St, Newtown.

Ben and Jerry's Openair Cinemas Sundae Session

Need another excuse to spend this Australia Day by the beach? The Ben and Jerry's Openair Cinema returns in January, bringing with it a regular stream of summer tunes by day, and killer flicks by night — held beachside at Sydney's iconic Bondi. In celebration of January 26 comes the Australian comedy classic Crocodile Dundee, as well as a fully licensed bar, lawn games and free ice cream all day long. Not feeling like a Paul Hogan fix but still in the mood for an al fresco movie experience on Aus Day? The Castle will be screening at Moonlight Cinema on January 26, and Muriel's Wedding on January 27 (and for free!) at The Beresford.

January 26; $17-40; Dolphin Lawn, Bondi Beach.

Symphony in the Domain

For an Australia Day that's a little less reminiscent of stubbies and cheap Straya paraphernalia (made everywhere but Australia), Sydney Festival's annual Symphony in the Domain offers something a li'l more refined. The free event welcomes you, your hamper, a blanket and friends to settle in under the stars. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will perform Gustav Holst's The Planets — an astrological journey through the solar system — along with readings from Bell Shakespeare's John Bell and fireworks to finish off the night. Performances kick off at 8pm, but many set up camp at The Domain throughout the day.

January 26 at 8pm; free; The Domain, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

Camping

Australia Day is the perfect time to appreciate all that our great southland has to offer — beautiful beaches, endless bushland and summer weather not to be rivalled. So why not spend an Aus Day taking it all in and camping under the stars. The abundance of coastal beaches and inland lakes in New South Wales means you can close your eyes, point to a map and end up in a place that possesses its own unique beauty. Alternatively, check out our own list of ten killer camping getaways, all within easy driving distance of Sydney.

Whenever/wherever ya bloody want!

Australia Day Colour Dash, Darling Harbour

The Good Samaritans of Australia (which, um, is probably what the day is 'sposed to be all about: remember that good ol' Aussie spirit thing?) will be spending the 26th raising money for the 23,000 who live with multiple sclerosis. The MS Colour Dash is a non-competitive 5km run (or skip/walk/dance) along Darling Harbour as volunteers shower you with natural rainbow dust. Participants reach the finish line covered in colour and then dabble in the range of live music, food and drinks on offer. An even better idea might be volunteering — which means throwing stuff at strangers and not getting arrested for it.

January 26; Darling Harbour.

By Mairead Armstrong and Rachel Eddie.