4 Family-Friendly Australia Day Activities to Enjoy

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Jan 24

What are your plans for this week?

It’s always a bit of an odd one for us here in Sunny Queensland. If you have a young family then you know school often returns….and then no sooner have you got them settled in, they get a day off (thanks to the Australia Day public holiday) and then they’re back at school, and then they’re not…..get my drift ;). Although often there's a record amount of ‘sickies’ pulled to make it a long weekend (in true Aussie fashion some may say).

However we are blessed with a long weekend this time around SO my question is:

What do YOU do on Australia Day?

a) Throw a Barbie with the mates (or family).

b) Get involved in a community event.

c) Enjoy a chill day.

d) Work!! Don’t worry, I was one of the ‘lucky ones’ (NOT!!) thanks to being involved with Hospitality & Tourism…(I guess someone has to do it but my workplace used to be the GBR so I wasn’t too upset to be honest).

WHATEVER your plans I thought I’d ADD my suggestions for family-friendly Australia Day Activities…

1. STOCK UP on SEAFOOD!!!!

Or failing that go to a very good Seafood Restaurant on the day…if you’re lucky enough to be in TNQ here’s my HOT TIPS:

Pick up some fresh LOCAL seafood from the PrawnStar to throw on a FREE barbie on the Esplanade. Click HERE for more details.

**Enjoy a Seafood Barbie on the Cairns Esplanade (thanks to the Prawn Star)**

Get a Bucket of Prawns and a couple of drinks at the 'Best Seafood Restaurant in Australia' - 2 Fish Port Douglas. Click HERE for more info.

**Charlie lovin’ the prawns from this spot (that’s why they’re all gone!!!)**

2. Enjoy your BACKYARD

Now you’re probably thinking I’m talking about hosting a barbie or party in your backyard (which has its qualities) BUT if you’re planning on some games (ie. cricket being the obvious choice) then you might want to find a big enough patch of grass, so try the neighbourhood park) or a beach close by.

**Throw a snag on the barbie will ya….**

Personally, I’m planning on taking the family to a freshwater creek nearby and inviting some mates because right now in Cairns it’s HOT, damn HOT & it’s also the ‘GREEN season’ (as the tourism operators like to call it ;) ) and we may actually get some rain on Australia Day – which is fine by us locals ‘cause it might actually cool things down!!

**How’s this for a place to spend Australia Day!!**

So if you’re like me and a freshwater swimming hole/creek sounds like the best option then here’s a reminder of what’s close to Cairns -> Freshwater Escapes - Cairns favourite swimming holes. Just get there early and don’t forget to bring the lilos!

Of course, If you are hosting an OZ Day party then you may want to try some of these FUN activities to remind friends & families of their ‘Aussieness’:

Cricket (I’ll be totally honest it’s the only time I have interest in the game).
Thong Throwing competition (pretty easy to set up ‘cause most people will be wearing a pair).
Cane Toad racing (suited to the Far North and best to catch the critters the night before).
The Great Aussie Quiz (click HERE to download)
Lamington eating (not sure about the rules but sounds yummy).

3. Join an Event!!

Not sure what’s on near you? There’s a great ‘Australia Day’ website that lists what’s happening in different locations. Check it out HERE >> Australia Day Events.

Australia Day Locals Discounts @adventuremumma.jpg

Australia Day Kuranda Scenic Train Locals Discount @adventuremumma.jpg

If you’re in Cairns then check out some of these options:

Cairns Esplanade are holding an event on the Esplanade starting from 10pm which includes local restaurants selling bite size tasting plates.
Often the local tour operators have 50% deals for locals so keep an eye out for them......Note: these are from a few years back
Yorkeys Knob Breakfast along Sims Esplanade from 7am
Australia Day at Sugarworld, Edmonton free BBQ & kids activities

4. Overseas Option

If you’re not in OZ and you’re planning on celebrating then I hope you’ve been stockpiling all your vegemite (cause yaaaayyyyy it’s owned by Aussie’s again), Fosters (kidding….who drinks that @#$% anyway), and sourcing some very good ‘shrimps’ (kidding again) to throw on the barbie.

So however you do it, ENJOY!! I’d love to know what your plans are OR what you did on the day so please SHARE - leave a comment below, send me an email OR SHARE a Photo on FACEBOOK (click HERE to go to my Adventure Mumma page).

AND FINALLY, I haven't quite made it on the Australian of the Year nomination list yet ;) BUT I did make it on this LIST!!!