Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Australian. January 26 marks the day that the First Fleet arrived on these shores back in 1788. While the date itself has been the source of debate, what Australians do agree on is celebrating and acknowledging the contribution that every single Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation.
If Australia Day is about celebrating Australia and its people, the public holiday opens up a whole day to build an itinerary of quintessentially ‘Aussie’ moments – whether it’s indulging in a lamington (or two) or taking in a sunset from your nearest beach.
Celebrating Australia Day
The perfect Australia Day should celebrate the laid back way of life that everyone loves about Australia and its people. With that in mind, here are 6 ways to celebrate Australia Day.
1. Head to the beach
Australians have been blessed to live surrounded by glorious beaches. As Australia Day falls in the summer months, one of the perfect ways to celebrate is by heading to the beach. Soak up the warm weather while also enjoying the landscape that we are so lucky to have in our backyard.
Now, it’s not a beach day without some fun in the sand. Instead of going home to watch the cricket, why not take part in some beach cricket? It’s a great activity for family and friends alike. A trip to the beach and some beach sports is an epic, yet a stress-free way to mark Australia Day.
2. Attend a music festival
Australia and the Gold Coast, in particular, are quite fortunate to play host to some amazing music festivals. In 2020, a huge festival is hitting the Gold Coast on the Saturday of the Australia Day Weekend.
Sounds of Sunday is an all new live music mini festival taking place each month at Cooly Hotel. Presented by Soundsofficialco, the festival will see a number of soloists, bands and DJs brining the best tunes to Cooly’s Band Room. The first session, taking place Sunday 26 Jan from 2pm, will see King Coaster, Bronte Eve, Matty Rogers, and others, take stage. It’ll be an Aus Day well spent!
Send It Festival 2020, is going to feel like one huge party. Featuring Australia’s biggest DJ Acts such as Will Sparks, Joel Fletcher and Brynny, this festival is sure to have you up on your feet, making attending this festival the perfect way to celebrate Australia and its homegrown talent.
3. Take in the fireworks
Yet another thing Australia does well is fireworks. There is something about watching the sky come to life through bursts of colour that is simply mesmerising. Watching the fireworks is a great way to take in the beauty of this country.
Beaches throughout Queensland will come to life when the fireworks kick off on Australia Day. Ending the day with an experience that has you believing in wonder and awe will be the perfect way to celebrate.
4. Host a BBQ
Firing up the barbecue may seem cliche to some, but it is a tradition nonetheless. Australians love to hang around the BBQ, chatting with friends and family and tucking into some of the world-class produce that Australia has to offer.
By hosting a BBQ, you can easily celebrate this holiday with friends and family without the pressures of a normal dinner party. Throw some sausages and steak on the BBQ and guests will undoubtedly be pleased.
When hosting a BBQ, there are so many ways that you can get into the Australia Day spirit. With many retailers selling Australia Day merchandise in the forms of thongs, singlets and face paint, adults and kids can have a lot of fun. Plus, what a great way to enjoy the public holiday and our country by donning the famous green and gold or the Australian flag.
5. Turn up the tunes
Australia has provided the world with some great musicians like Sia and Kylie Minogue. We have an ear for music, so what better day to indulge in our passions than on Australia Day?
The annual Triple J Hottest 100 countdown will fulfil all your music needs. It counts down the Top 100 songs of the previous year, as voted by listeners. So, individuals can lounge by the pool or cook a BBQ with this countdown playing in the background. At Cooly Hotel, we’ll be broadcasting the countdown live and loud from 11am on Saturday 25 Jan in Icon thanks to our friends at Eumundi Ginger Beer. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a cold bev and join us for another year of epic tunes!
6. Indulge in some classic desserts
For any big celebration, you won’t go past an Aussie with a certain pride for our iconic desserts. From lamingtons and Tim tams to the stalwart that is the pavlova, you could spend all of Australia Day just grazing at the dessert table.
What better way to celebrate this special day than by trying your hand at a pavlova recipe or even indulging in a packet of Tim tams purchased at the local supermarket?
Australia Day on the Gold Coast
There are countless ways for you to have an epic Australia Day on the Gold Coast in 2020. Whether you want to go all out at a festival celebrating local acts or hang out at the beach and play a bit of beach cricket, the Australian landscape will kindly oblige.
Are you ready to have an epic Australia Day? If not, don’t stress, check out what’s on at The Coolangatta Hotel for top quality food, drinks and entertainment all year round.
