Top 8 Events to Celebrate Australia Day in Melbourne
Australia Day is on
Thursday, 26 January 2012 and there are over 50 events occurring in and around the city of Melbourne to commemorate this special day; so we thought we would do the hard work for you and select eight of the very best events to head to.
www.australiaday.vic.gov.au
So, let's get straight to it;
Australia Day in Altona
www.visitaltona.com.au/AustraliaDay
Head to this event if you want
free family fun. This special event, which will run from 10am to 5pm, will be held at Logan Reserve, Weaver Reserve and Altona Beach. There are several special events; Western Suburbs Triathlon Club - Triathlon Series, Australia Day Junior Triathlon, an Altona Beach Market, Altona Community Bank Family Sand Sculpting Challenge, Cobb & Co and Cinderella Coach Rides, The SES Aussie BBQ and much, much more; including a live entertainment program running from 11am. And yes, it is all
free.
This event is sure to be quite popular this Australia Day; for more information, head to the
Visit Altona website.
The Australia Day Woodchop
Image Credit: Fairv8 (Wikimedia Commons)
This next Australia Day event is also
free, but it is a little bit different. It will be held at Alexandra Gardens from 10am and the day will consist of a program of competitive wood chopping events featuring some of the finest male and female competitors. Events include Hot Chainsaw Race, Double Handed Sawing, Boys Chop 250mm Underhand and Butchers Block 400mm Underhand. I told you it was different. So if you want to support this unique sporting event, just head on down to Alexandra Gardens (adjacent to the Richmond Rowing Club) between 10am and 4pm.
For more information on this exciting event, please see the
Central Victorian Axemen's Association website or
Australia Day website.
RACV Big Brekkie
RACV BIG Brekkie (Aussie Farmers Direct Facebook Profile)
The RACV Big Brekkie is our third pick. Held at Alexandra Gardens, this annual event is always quite popular. Running from 8am to 10am, this event is all about having a good breakfast and celebrating Australia Day with friends and family.
You can pack a picnic basket or purchase breakfast from one of the many stalls. This year, the entertainment program will feature
The Charcoal Club,
Kavisha Mazzella and Tommy the Noodle Man.
For more information on this event, please see the
Australia Day website.
Click here to see photos from last year's event.
Australia Day at Docklands
Image Credit: John O'Neill (Wikimedia Commons)
Australia Day at Docklands is another major event in the Melbourne Australia Day program. This is another all day event, kicking off at 11am and running until 4pm.
The main attraction will be the Docklands Fishing Experience; rods, tackle and bait will be available for loan and fishing experts will be on hand to assist and advise.
Plus the kids can help Australia's champion pavement artist, Jenny McCracken, create a 3D chalk art installation. There will also be workshops and specialist chalk artists on hand to guide children.
This event is
free.
You can find out more about this event by heading to the
Docklands website or
Australia Day website.
Federation Story @ Federation Square
www.fedsquare.com/culture/the-federation-story/
Federation Story is just one part of the program of events to be held at
Federation Square on Australia Day.
In addition to the Australia Day Book Market,
Australian Open Live Site, Australia Day Meditation Sessions and the
Fed Square Live Presented by The Push 2011/2012 live music program, the Federation Story exhibition is another unique Australia Day event.
This interactive permanent exhibition, located in the Atrium Balcony, offers all Melburnians the chance to celebrate what Australia means to them. You are even welcome to add your own story and photos to the exhibition
through the website.
For more on this exhibition, please see the
Federation Story website and
Federation Square website.
Australia Day Movie Marathon @ ACMI
If you would rather stay indoors on Australia Day, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image has the entertainment sorted; a special film program celebrating the best of Australian cinema. This event will kick off at 11am and will run until 8pm and will include back to back screenings of
Strictly Ballroom, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Muriel's Wedding and more.
Tickets are priced at $8 per film.
For more information on this event, head to the
ACMI website or
Australia Day website.
Government House Open Day
Image Credit: Greg O'Beirne (Wikimedia Commons)
Government House will once again be open to the public on Australia Day. From 10am to 3pm, all are welcome to tour the state rooms and gardens and grounds. You are even welcome to have a picnic. Refreshments will be available to purchase and there will be live music performances and children's entertainment on the grounds and inside the house.
This family friendly event is free and for more information head to the
Government House website or
Australia Day website.
Australia Day Concert – What's In Your Suitcase?
www.australiaday.vic.gov.au
This is our final pick, the annual Australia Day Concert, which is
free and will be held at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Kicking off from 7pm, expect performances from Sergei Golovko, the Australian Percussion Academy, Burundian Drummers, the Brass Fanfare Team, Mahindra Bali, Sounds of Polynesia, Fuefukuro, the Lopit Cultural Group, Kud Dukat , Russian Kossack Dancers, Manasis Dance, Melbourne Tap Dance and much, much more.
This will be a great spot to see the
Australia Day Fireworks at 9:15pm.
For more information on this exciting event, please see the
Australia Day website.
If you know of any other Australia Day events in Melbourne, please leave a comment below.
We look forward to your feedback.
