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A Backpacker's Guide to Australia Day
If you're in Australia for Australia Day and aren't really sure what's going on, never fear, our guide gives you the low down on the day.
Every year on January 26, we get together and celebrate the things that makes our country great. Aussies normally do something special for Australia Day, so read on for all the do's and don't's for this day.
Do’s
Have a barbie
The humble BBQ is one of the most Australian things ever and we can guarantee that in backyards and parks all across the nation, BBQs will be fired up. If you’re at YHA on Australia Day, check with the staff if they’re throwing a barbie! They probs will be, tbh.
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Stuff yo’ face with some Aussie sweets and treats
There’s pavlova, lamingtons, Iced Vovos, fairy bread, Tim Tams, Wagon Wheels, Golden Gaytimes and now we’re getting a sugar rush just thinking about them. But trust us, if you haven’t tried them, you need to eat them all. Now.
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Hit the beach
From Manly to Cottesloe and everywhere other beach in between, there’ll be a patch of sand for you to relax on this Australia Day.
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Play a game of cricket
Playing cricket in the park, in your backyard or at the beach is a time honoured tradition on Australia Day, so if your Aussie (or Kiwi, British or Indian) mates pull out the bat and ball, give it a go - you may become a devotee. Plus it’s actually really funny. Who would have thought a sport would have terms like 'googly', 'silly point' and 'automatic wickie'?
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Don’t's
Forget the sunscreen
Just because you never got sunburnt in South East Asia/Europe/the US doesn’t mean you won’t here. There’s a hole in the ozone layer above Australia so the sun’s rays are super strong here and sunburn HURTS. Slather on the SPF 50+.
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Overdo the Aussie flag
Too many Aussie flags is kinda tacky. One or two is fine but remember the mantra "less is more". Be classy on Australia Day by keeping the Aussie flags to a minimum.
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Drink way too much booze
You’re outside in the sun, it’s super-hot because it’s January in Australia and you’ve been drinking booze all day – these are all the puzzle pieces you need to get full on wasted and not the fun kind. This is the heat stroke, regretting your life decisions and passing out kind of wasted, which really isn't how you want to spend Australia Day.
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