Alice Noble

Hi

Just a quick one: my partner and I, if things go to plan, are going to be arriving in Sydney, from the UK, on Australia Day. What stuff will be happening? I heard there will be fireworks etc, but wasn't sure how it was celebrated by everyone.

It will be our first time ever in Australia (and we are going to staying for three years so I hope we like it!) so any suggestions as to what we should do, where we should go etc?

Thanks
Alice

swissfabs

Hi Alice, well normally they do have fireworks but i dont think they had some last year because of the draught and bushfires!!! Apart from that, heaps of people go for a drink but nothing major!!! I cannot remember the shops being closed in Qld, I dont know about SYD though!!!
Enjoy!
fabie

Alice Noble

Thanks Swissfabs - I hadn't even considered that the shops might not be open!

Donut

Hey,

If you're anything like me, you'll be asleep after about a few hours of arriving....the flight is a killer....so my advice is don't plan anything for your arrival day!

SJ

worzel

We happened to be in Townsville on Anzac Day 2003. We walked into town to have a beer and nowhere at all was open. It was like one of those films where the main actor wakes up and finds he is the only person left alive on the planet. Having said that we went back the following day and it wasn't much different

Peanuts100

Hi Guys

If you think Townsville is bad, try Childers!!!! Bloody 1970's ghost town!!!!

Alice Noble

Well, if there IS a party to be had we will be there. Even if I am tired I hope I will be able to stay up so that I can get my body clock in order as soon as possible!

bondipom

Generally Aussie day is celebrated by eating damper bread, raising flags, fireworks and drink driving deaths. The Sydney fireworks are worth seeing.

NickyC

There's usually something happening down near the Harbour and around the Quay area. There's a traditional Ferry Boat Race (one always ends up hitting a wharf or another ferry) and things going on around Hyde Park. The fireworks at night are always good value. It's a public holiday so some shops will be closed, but the touristy areas will be open for business. Best thing to do is take a walk around the Rocks, Circular Quay etc and see what's happening. But will you really feel like doing much, if you've just stepped off a long flight?

This is the day where they hold heaps of Citizenship ceremonies in the parks and some people have Aussie BBQ's with damper etc - well that's if they do anything at all. Majority just treat it as another day off work.

JAJ

Australia Day does generally mark the end of the summer holiday period, schools go back to start the new year shortly afterwards.

Jeremy

renth

It's a good job you're not coming to Perth.

It's the people of Perth's last chance to behave for the Australia day fireworks on the Swan river.

If, like last year, it turns in to a booze fuelled, brawling and rioting session they are going to cancel it for good, apparently.

Pollyana

Going back to Anzac day - some pubs and shops open after midday but most stay shut all day. Whatever you do, don't criticise it though! I said it was daft to be shut till lunchtime, why not do a couple of hours and have the rest of the day off to relax.......ouch, fend off the thunderbolts! "Its not for relaxing, its for remembering, places should all be shut all day......I had to take cover in the shed before God (or the family) smote me dead!

(no disrespect intended, I know the reasons for Anzqc Day, it was just a bit of an extreme shock!)

Siren & Brian

Exactly.... OZ day is for celebrating the kids going back to school in 5 days time

rapitts

Best to catch a ferry around about the time the boats come around the harbour/opera house.

If you sleep on the flight over then you should OK, it is best to sleep on the plane since you will arrive in Sydney around 6-7am, hopefully adjusting straight away to the time zone

OzTennis

Like someone said, cancelled in Sydney because of the draught (drought)

OzTennis