To all the ladies who sent Australia Day messages. Thank you. Most people have a BBQ either at home with friends and/family or at the beach, the park or where ever. It was so hot here in Brisbane I just stayed home and actually got a quilt top finished so I considered it a bonus day. There's always lots of organised events. We have a iconic pub here called the Story Bridge Hotel and it actually is under the bridge of the same name. They hold cockroach races there and attract large crowds. Some places have mud crab races, thong ( flip flop) throwing contests and all kinds of madness.
We have parklands right across the river from the city centre where Expo '88 was held. There is a man made beach which is very popular, lots of picnic lawns as well as quite a few restaurants, take aways and street vendors. It was apparently packed on Australia Day. Hope this gives you a little insight into what Aussies do on the day.