On Australia Day, January 26, the nation commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788. But for many of us, it’s an occasion to celebrate the birth of our nation by doing something quintessentially Australian.
Bondi Beach in the fog
We flock en masse to our iconic beaches.
We stick our Southern Cross flag all over our cars.
Coogee Bay Hotel
We hang giant thongs on our pub balconies.
We drape our bodies with the flag … and tell the world we’re AUSSIE.
Our men can be hunks… or just good Aussie larrikins.
We slap on fake tattoos…
or go for the real ink down our sleeve.
We’re aren’t afraid of wearing Speedos.
And love telling the world that we’re Aussie and we’re proud.
Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge – Bondi Beach
We take to the water in giant inflatable thongs, attempt to break a world record and win. (See photos of the2011 Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge)
Or just celebrate a humble Australian icon.
We even wear our Southern Cross cossies… and fly the flag on our heads.
And dress our dogs in patriotic garb.
Our esky is never too far away.
We love to eat our Vegemite… not just ‘for breakfast, lunch and tea’.
Vegemite on Toast, Chocolate Freckles, Caramel Slice and Rocky Road macarons with the colours of Australia from LuxBite of Melbourne (photo courtesy of LuxBite)
Our talented patissiers create an Australia Day Collection of macarons to celebrate our national day.
Kangaroo and Salt Water crocodile pizza from the Australian Hotel in the Rocks
We put our ‘roos and salt water crocodiles on pizza. That’s why you won’t see kangaroos hopping along George Street in our CBD 😉
We put lamb on our barbies…
… and love our seafood on a hot summer’s day.
Australia Beer: James Squire, Rogers, Blue Tongue
And drink boutique Aussie beer not just VB and Fosters.
Happy Australia Day!
You may also like… Australia Day Cocktails: Sun-Kissed Country, Sails in the Sunset, Girt By Sea
Aww, great photos, Corinne. We were only saying this morning, what is Australia Day. Now we know! Watched all the fireworks on tv this morning whilst watching the tennis in Melbourne. You Aussies don’t do a bad firework display either! 🙂
The fireworks would have been great to see! But we were too zapped from a day in the sun watching the Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge at Bondi Beach, a swim later, afternoon drinks then a BBQ with friends! Now where’s the weekend…
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Samantha King, LuxBite and Ms Gourmantic, Degustinations. Degustinations said: Australia Day in Photos: Beaches, Thongs, Flags and Food http://bit.ly/gw7lxe […]
[…] Australia Day, the Havaianas Australia Day Thong Challenge takes place where various Australian states compete in […]
Looks like a lot of fun, and that seafood platter looks beyond scrumptious! Happy Australia Day (a little late, but it’s still Jan 27 in California) 🙂
That seafood platter was at a beachside pub. We caught up with friends and had a few drinks before taking a much-needed swim!
Wow wow!! This looks like tons of fun…I really love this post. Love how you narrated it with the photos & did an excellent job of capturing the atmosphere – I LOVE the flag *everywhere*..such a great way to celebrate.
And ps. Those really are some Australian hunks, hubba hubba.. as we would say in the good ‘ole US 🙂
Glad you approve of the hunks 😉 I can’t always point a camera in that direction but at least I had an excuse this time! 🙂
I love this post SO much, Corinne! Especially now that I know what an Esky is!! 🙂 I left Australia on Australia Day, but I left with Aussie shirts and a hat and all manner of paraphernalia to remind of how much I love this place, and how I can’t wait to move there. 🙂
You’ve become part Aussie now! 🙂 I’m so pleased you enjoyed your stay in Oz. Sydney, next time! 🙂
Really cool post! Good job it was fun reading it
Wow, you have photos of everything from Aussie Thongs to steak on a Barbie to Aussies living it up. A very nice collection.
[…] celebrate Australia Day, Hendrick’s Gin have created the ‘Gold Rush Tea’ cocktail* drawing inspiration from the fresh […]
[…] more to do than hit the beach wearing our Australian flag cossies, slip our feet into thongs, slap on a temporary Southern Cross tattoo, eat Lamingtons and celebrate with a BBQ to show our national […]