Australia Day on the Gold Coast

Australia Day on the Gold Coast

Gold Coasters have a huge range of free and exciting activities on offer this Australia Day, with the highlight likely to be the 35th annual celebration at Evandale Parklands.

The iconic event on Tuesday 26 January 2016 runs from 9am to 3pm and offers traditional favourites such as sheep shearing, pig racing and dozens of other uniquely Aussie favourites. For a chance to win a family pass to the Australian Outback Spectacular, visit City of Gold Coast’s Facebook event page and click ‘Going’ to be entered into the draw. More details including terms and conditions can be found at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/australiaday.

The City of Gold Coast stage will feature entertainment from Juzzie Smith, Walrus and the Carpenter, Jake Whittaker Band, Cook Island Dancers and the Big Kitty Band. At the Aussie Stage you can cheer on contestants and chefs at the Aussie Ready Steady Cook-Off or have a laugh with the Magic Comedy Show. The thrill of the day will be the Wheel of Death stunt show involving daredevil acrobatic skills.

Activities in the Kids’ Zone include animal nursery, pony rides, craft, face painting, circus workshops and carnival rides along with shows. On the Bush Track, you’ll find wood turners, spinners and weavers, automobile restoration, the Wasp Creek Rural Fire Brigade, Wild Rangers wildlife encounters and camel rides.

The JJ Richards Woodchop Arena will play host to Australia’s oldest sport, where Queensland’s finest axemen will show the youngsters how it’s done. You can even bring your swimmers to have fun on the lake with kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, walk-on-water balls and SLSQ surf fun clinics.

An open air train will run continuously and you can feed the family at the multicultural and traditional Aussie food stalls. Parking is limited but available onsite or to save the stress why not catch the free shuttle bus from the Gold Coast Turf Club.

Pre Australia Day Celebrations

The Island of Sin Australia Day Boat Party – 23 January

Back for its Australia Day Island festival there’ll be five boats, three stages and 30 international and local DJs. There are two departure times and boats will return from the island starting at 6pm.

OzFest at Miami Tavern – 23 January

This one day pop-up festival features a diverse line-up including hip hop sensation Seth Sentry, indie pop darlings San Cisco, Art Vs Science, along with favourites Saskwatch. A sun soaked afternoon with a dress code of boardies, thongs and bikinis.

Fat Pizza vs Housos at RSL Club Southport – 24 January

Celebrate Straya Day weekend with a live stage show of Fat Pizza & Housos at RSL Club Southport. It’s big, cheesy, it’s wearing thongs and it’s coming at you in a stolen car covered in flannelette, an 18 plus event.

Southport Sharks live reptile show – 24 January

Entertainment for the whole family with a live reptile show on the main stage from 4pm and a Kids Aussie Disco from 5pm. It will make a great photo opportunity as there’ll be frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles.

Where to celebrate Australia Day on 26 January

Australia Day BBQ in the Park – North Burleigh SLSC

A BBQ in the park open to the General Public with entertainment, games for the kids, face painting, food vendors, jumping castle and much more.

Visit our what’s on calendar to see more information about Australia Day BBQ in the Park.

Runaway Bay Tavern

Celebrate Australia Day at the Runaway Bay Tavern with an entertaining day of Noah’s pig racing and live music from 12pm. There’ll be fun events and activities for people of all ages.

RSL Club Southport

Things will be heating up on Aussie Day with Bone Lazy Duo providing live entertainment from 12pm and Greg Bankx from 4.30pm. There’ll also be meat tray giveaways, raffles, great prizes and much more.

Southport Yacht Club

Enjoy a waterfront lunch the Southport Yacht Club with live entertainment by Captain Wow from 12pm until 4pm. Plenty of Australia Day events such as raffles and prizes for best dressed.

Aussie Celebrations at Cabana Bar and Lounge

Celebrate all things Australia at the Cabana Bar and Lounge at Southport Sharks. Triple J’s Hottest 100 will be broadcast live and there’ll be a barbecue available from 3pm, conditions apply.

Southport Sharks 

To celebrate all things Australia, Southport Sharks is adding Aussie tucker to the Frenzy Food Court dinner buffet there’ll also be live entertainment from Alex Fietz and fun activities for kids.

Australia The Show at the Arts Centre Gold Coast

Featuring raw prawns, mate ship and underarm bowling, the Arts Centre Gold Coast presents Australia The Show, a rehearsed reading with Hugh Parker. It’s a look at mateship, the relationship with the mother country and those people who were here originally.

Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern

Have a drink with your mates and enjoy live entertainment all day at the waterfront tavern on Main Beach. A day that celebrates everything Australian.

Advancetown Hotel

Spend this Australia Day at a fair dinkum pub with a true blue Aussie band Marshall Okell, pig racing and family fun such as face painting and balloon artists.

Harrigan’s Drift Inn

With food specials and live entertainment by The Whiskey Drop in the beer garden, enjoy Australia Day by the water at Jacob’s Well.

Currumbin RSL

Enjoy Australia Day celebrations at the Currumbin RSL and enjoy great Australia delights available at Alleys Restaurant, La Bocca and La Vista.

Hope Island Tavern

Featuring live music from a local DJ, the Hope Island Tavern is celebrating Australia Day by having a spit roast and backyard cricket in the car park.

Surfers RSL

Join the team at Surfers RSL on Australia Day night from 6pm for Aussie raffles and giveaways.  Downstairs there’ll be live entertainment from Dean Bounday.

The Wallaby Hotel Mudgeeraba

Head down to The Wallaby Hotel for a special Australia Day 90s music show that will transport you back 20 years to when life was simpler and there were no phones or Facebook. Hit songs from bands such as Nirvana, Oasis, Foo Fighters and more.

The Wattle Hotel Upper Coomera

The winner of the Win A Tinny competition will be announced on Australia Day and the special’s board at the Wattle Hotel will include Australian themed dishes.

Hard Rock Cafe Surfers Paradise

A fun day where a special food and drink package will be available, included on the menu is the Hard Rock Cafe’s legendary Aussie Burger.