All the Best Things to Do on Australia Day 2015

It takes a truly talented band to reach the heights of international stardom without a drummer, but New Zealand eight-piece Fat Freddy’s Drop make it look a cinch. They’ve been touring for well over 15 years now, their inimitable horn-based sound, bringing together a soul, dub, reggae fusion that sends audiences loco. Now, they’re bringing their brass, bass and organic melody and lyricism to Australia for a nationwide tour, including the Sydney Opera House on Australia Day.

Celebrate the way of the flip-flop this Australia Day with the annual Thong Challenge down at North Bondi Beach and help break the world record for the longest line of giant inflatable Havaianas in open water.  Further creating a thong-lovin’ environment, Havaianas have organised numerous events throughout the day, such as a Tug-O-War, Thong Toss and Thong Grab, all with prizes to be won. Online registration is $30, which includes a $10 donation to North Bondi SLSC’s Nippers program as well as your necessary giant Havaianas inflatable.

Roll into The Courthouse this Australia Day in your best bogan attire and thongs for a celebration befitting Australia’s national holiday, featuring a Bogan Pageant hosted by Dinni and followed by the very competitive Thong Toss Competition. As if this event could be any more Aussie, the Courthouse will be streaming Triple J’s Hottest 100 all day long, and will also feature (what else?) an Aussie BBQ. Representing Australia’s best side, throughout the day $1 from every VB Tinnie purchased will go towards supporting beyondblue.

The Vic is always a great place to spend a public holiday, this Australia Day in particular for all those Dappled Cities lovers out there. With Big White and Flowertruck rounding out the lineup, it’s a day of free live music conducive to a long, boozy hang with your mates — the party’s on from 10am till 1am. Expect a tonne of tinnies, a special sponsored drink and bar on the day (TBA) and, of course, the Triple J Hottest 100 playing all day.

In celebration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture held on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in Sydney, Koori Radio 93.7FM presents the annual Yabun Festival. The largest one-day celebration of its kind, the festival seeks to showcase some of the best Indigenous music, speakers and creative talent in the country. Get cultured in traditional dance as performers kick up the dust; wander the market stalls of Corroboree Ground; or be enlightened by some of Australia’s leading artists, authors and thinkers at the SpeakOut Tent.

Drag your wig, feather boas and heels out of the closet this Australia Day and feel like royalty alongside your favourite queen, Priscilla, with a special 21st birthday screening of The Adventures of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert at St George Openair Cinema at Mrs Macquaries Point. With Sydney Harbour as a backdrop, this is a quieter, more chilled way to celebrate Australia Day, enjoying a film and a landscape that make our country stand out. Wine and dine at the pop-up precinct as the sun sets, before settling in as the enormous 350 square metre screen rises from the water.

Head down to The Rocks this Australia Day, not only to get nostalgic among Sydney’s oldest buildings but also to feast on the latest in local musical talent while sipping craft beer, playing croquet, picking up a unique handmade piece or two at the markets, and helping Triple J to countdown the Hottest 100. All for free.

The Watsons Bay Hotel is bringing an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch our way for the summer public holidays. For hours on end, you’ll be able to indulge while soaking up waterfront views and recovering from whatever shindiggery you’ve been up to the evening before. Whipped up by executive chef John Pye, the menu is no ordinary buffet production but features the likes of house-made granola trifles layered with summer berries and vanilla yoghurt; hand-carved, glazed Kurobuta ham and cranberry sauce sliders and Belgian waffles with crispy American-style bacon and maple syrup. For drinks, a bespoke Bloody Mary bar will have you covered, and there’s also the option of bubbles, fresh mimosas and home-made watermelon lemonade.

If cracking open a VB and throwing a few snags on the barbie doesn’t tickle your fancy this Australia Day, this burger bash just might. From 10am, the crew from the Keg & Brew will be celebrating the best beers and beats of 2014. Dubbed the ‘Hoppiest 100 Burger Bash’, the event will see the heritage pub counting down and serving the year’s hottest 100 craft beers as voted by their loyal patrons. With a live stream of Triple J’s top tracks of the year, you’ll have plenty of entertainment on the road to No.1.

This Australia Day, the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, in conjunction with WATTSUP Stand Up Paddling, present an event both your pooch and you will be pumped for: The Every Man and His Dog stand-up paddle race. Also open to those without a paddleboard (it can be hired on the day) or a four-legged friend (can’t hire, go without), the race offers something for everyone, with different categories including long distance, sprint and kids’ races. Kick on at the hotel afterwards with the Bay Brunch and other outdoor shenanigans.

There is nothing, nothing more purely joyous as hurtling down an epic plastic lane covered in soap bubbles and hose water. Slip ‘N’ Slides have pride of place in some of our Paddle Pop-dotted, sunburn-ridden backyard memories, but all is not lost to the slippery realms of memory. This year, a giant Slide ‘N’ Slide is coming to your city, with Nova’s Slidestreet confirmed for Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne this summer. With its successful Perth run under its belt, the 315 metre-long Slidestreet is heading to Sydney’s Centennial Park on Australia Day.