The temperature is rising and we’re well into the summer months in Melbourne. But January means more than just summer holidays and the New Year; it’s also the time we celebrate our national day.
Tuesday 26 January is Australia Day, a special day that commemorates the history of our nation.
What’s Australia Day All About?
Put on your travelling pants, kids, we’re heading back in time. Australia Day was officially recognised in 1935 to mark the 1788 arrival of British ships at Port Jackson, in New South Wales.
Despite this long history, it was only in 1994 that all states and territories recognised the day with a public holiday. Australia Day is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra, while around the country social gatherings and community events are held to celebrate the day.
There are so many ways that you can recognise Australia Day. Decking yourself out in green and gold and eating snags off Australian flag plates is one great option. As is baking a collection of classic Australian dishes like lamingtons and pavlova (seriously New Zealand, it’s time to stop trying to claim this as your own).
Or you could come down to Sidetracked to celebrate what it means to be Australian in the only way we know how – by racing your friends on the go-kart track and battling them in the Laser Force arena.
This Australia Day at Sidetracked we’ll be throwing open the doors from 12pm to 5pm for some seriously bonzer celebrations all arvo.
We have a true-blue 68,000 square foot entertainment complex (which is approximately the size of Tasmania, give-or-take), hosting the most fun Go Karts in Melbourne, along with ten pin bowling laser tag, mini golf and dodgem cars. There’s plenty of activities to keep your whole family entertained. We’ll also be serving up classic Australian fare (meat pie, anyone?) in our Pit Stop Cafe so the grown-ups can take a breather.
A Sidetracked adventure is a ripper way to celebrate what being Aussie is all about.