Celebrated on 26th January every year, Australia Day is one of the biggest celebrations Down Under and the locals really know how to throw a good party. With celebrations happening all over the world, it’s a great excuse to get all your friends and family together, and you can get in on the action whether you’re partying in Sydney or just trying to forget the cold of a British winter. Here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate Australia Day like a true Aussie.
Light Up a Barbie
Australians famously love a good BBQ, so celebrating the birth of their country is a great excuse to get the lighters at the ready.
Traditional favourites such as snags (sausages) and T-bone steaks are still popular, but an influx of immigrants over the last few years means that the Aussies have become a little more creative. Beef Teriyaki Skewers, African Lemon Chicken and BBQ Salmon with Tequila, Chilli and Lime always go down a treat!
Or, if you want to be really multicultural, try Hindooroo – kangaroo steaks marinated in curry powder, chilli, mango and a tablespoon of garam masala. Leave it for two hours or the ‘three beers minimum’ policy before cooking to get the maximum flavour.
Watch the Cricket
Australia is crazy about cricket, so it’s pretty much the law to watch the Australia Day Test on TV, especially when the Aussies are winning!
Even if you don’t watch it, it’s great to have on in the background while you enjoy the party. Just listen out for cheers from the crowds and exciting cries from the commentators when the wicket falls, a catch is made or the ball hits the boundary.
Crack Open a Slab
A ‘slab’ is a crate of 24 cans of beer and you should definitely pick one of these up from the ‘Bottlo’ (bottle shop) before the celebrations begin. Crack open a can and throw the rest into a bath or large tub filled with ice to keep then chilled.
If you’re celebrating in the UK it’s tempting to grab a cheap crate of Fosters from the supermarket, but Coopers, Boag’s or Little Creatures Pale Ale are a much better bet.
Crank Up the Volume
It wouldn’t be a party without some music, so crank up the volume and tune into the annual Triple J Hottest 100. It’s the country’s national ‘youth’ radio network and each year it counts down the top 100 songs of the previous year, as voted by listeners.
Throwing a Hottest 100 party has become something of a tradition amongst students and hipsters, and you can find Triple J celebrations everywhere from Doha to Brazil. However, if you want the authentic Triple J experience, you’d best head over to Australia; check out www.cheapflights.co.uk/Australia/.
Triple J listeners are renowned for picking up on all the big hits before the rest of the world, and Nirvana were already embarking on a big tour of Australia as the rest of the world finally started taking notice. You’ll also get a chance to hear some of the best underrated Aussie bands including Angus & Julia, Birds of Tokyo, Gotye and Cut Copy.
