AUSTRALIANS have been given respite from the sweltering heat of recent weeks just in time for today's Australia Day celebrations.
Beer, beach, barbecues, cricket, tennis, fireworks and relaxation - not even global financial turmoil can stand in the way of Australians celebrating our national day.
For Dara Godfrey, 27, of Melbourne, Australia Day is about paying tribute to all those who fought for the nation, as well as a day to be thankful for the life we have.
"It's about celebrating how great Australia is and just being together with your best mates," she said.
"We do really have a great life in Australia and are really lucky."
Ms Godfrey will be spending her day with friends at the Big Day Out festival wearing an Australia bikini and with an Australian flag around her shoulders, but yesterday she was relaxing in the park.
Melburnians who won't be attending the Big Day Out will have plenty of other options. There's the Australian Open tennis action at Melbourne Park for sports fans, and the largest BMX competition in the southern hemisphere starts at the Waterfront City Piazza from 8pm.
For those looking for something a little different, the Great Australia Day Duck Race starts in the middle of the Yarra River at 4pm, and there will be fireworks at Federation Square from 9.30pm.
In Sydney, the official events start at 8am in the Royal Botanic Gardens with dancing by the Woggan-ma-gule people on their sacred land. Throughout the day Sydneysiders can choose from a range of options including horse races at Royal Randwick, wheelchair racing at Circular Quay, a free concert at The Rocks, a barbecue at Hyde Park and a vintage car show in Macquarie Street.
And for those feeling a little nostalgic, a big screen featuring past Australian television shows such as Skippy will be set up in Hyde Park.
Those hoping for a more cultural experience can head to the city's museums, where the entry fees will be waived or heavily discounted.
Firework displays begin at Darling Harbour at 8.30pm.
In Brisbane there's an Australia Day festival at South Bank, a Barefoot Ball at Moorooka and the Governor of Queensland, Penelope Wensley, is inviting people to an open day at Government House in Paddington.
West Australian Governor Ken Michael has also invited the public over. Government House Gardens will play host to a two-hour concert featuring local talent.
For South Australians, the best option could be to head to Adelaide Oval to watch Australia try to square up the one-day cricket series against South Africa.
In Canberra, locals can head to Commonwealth Park for the Australia Day breakfast, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and then a citizenship ceremony, before finishing the day at Lake Burley Griffin with a fireworks display
Beer, beach, barbecues, cricket, tennis, fireworks and relaxation - not even global financial turmoil can stand in the way of Australians celebrating our national day.
For Dara Godfrey, 27, of Melbourne, Australia Day is about paying tribute to all those who fought for the nation, as well as a day to be thankful for the life we have.
"It's about celebrating how great Australia is and just being together with your best mates," she said.
"We do really have a great life in Australia and are really lucky."
Ms Godfrey will be spending her day with friends at the Big Day Out festival wearing an Australia bikini and with an Australian flag around her shoulders, but yesterday she was relaxing in the park.
Melburnians who won't be attending the Big Day Out will have plenty of other options. There's the Australian Open tennis action at Melbourne Park for sports fans, and the largest BMX competition in the southern hemisphere starts at the Waterfront City Piazza from 8pm.
For those looking for something a little different, the Great Australia Day Duck Race starts in the middle of the Yarra River at 4pm, and there will be fireworks at Federation Square from 9.30pm.
In Sydney, the official events start at 8am in the Royal Botanic Gardens with dancing by the Woggan-ma-gule people on their sacred land. Throughout the day Sydneysiders can choose from a range of options including horse races at Royal Randwick, wheelchair racing at Circular Quay, a free concert at The Rocks, a barbecue at Hyde Park and a vintage car show in Macquarie Street.
And for those feeling a little nostalgic, a big screen featuring past Australian television shows such as Skippy will be set up in Hyde Park.
Those hoping for a more cultural experience can head to the city's museums, where the entry fees will be waived or heavily discounted.
Firework displays begin at Darling Harbour at 8.30pm.
In Brisbane there's an Australia Day festival at South Bank, a Barefoot Ball at Moorooka and the Governor of Queensland, Penelope Wensley, is inviting people to an open day at Government House in Paddington.
West Australian Governor Ken Michael has also invited the public over. Government House Gardens will play host to a two-hour concert featuring local talent.
For South Australians, the best option could be to head to Adelaide Oval to watch Australia try to square up the one-day cricket series against South Africa.
In Canberra, locals can head to Commonwealth Park for the Australia Day breakfast, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and then a citizenship ceremony, before finishing the day at Lake Burley Griffin with a fireworks display