There’s an ever-growing fervor about Australia Day these days. Friends and families take to the streets, pubs, beaches an parklands wrapped in the Australian flag and smothered in zinc cream. However you choose to celebrate, here are some tips for hosting the perfect Australia day bash.

Have a Barbie!

The humble barbecue remains the truest example of our national cuisine. Aside from plenty of food and drink, you will need Aussie thongs, a barbecue apron, stubby coolers and a hat. As for the food, incorporate marinades and flavours from different international cuisines such as Asian and Mediterranean in a nod to Australia’s thriving multi-cultural heritage. If it weren’t for the divine intervention of these two continents, we’d all be doomed to Oz day fare of burnt snags and salad made of iceberg lettuce unceremoniously mingled with tinned beetroot and corn kernels. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Hit the beach

Short of  hoisting a large Australian flag, there is no more Australian way to celebrate the national day than to head to your favourite beach. You’re in for the long haul though so make it comfortable with a canopy, plenty of Eskys, beach chairs, sun shades, Aussie beach towels and beach cricket equipment.

Have a street party!

Invite the neighbours – even the one who hasn’t returned your stepladder yet – and take it to the streets. This kind of come-one-come-all affair can make for great bonding between people who’ve shared the same street for years. Everyone can contribute food and drinks and the kids can run amok, just as the First Settlers intended. If you’re lucky enough to have multiple nationalities living in your street, get everyone to bring food from their homeland. Finally, dress up in Aussie regalia – even if it makes your bum look big.

Go to the pub

Anyone who’s seen the YouTube footage of 82-year-old former PM Bob Hawke sculling a beer at a recent cricket match, cheered on by an army of well wishers, knows that raising a cold beer on special occasions is still as much of an Aussie tradition as lawn envy, blow flies and hosing your driveway.

State by state

For a list of events in your state, visit:

NSW http://www.australiaday.com.au/

WA www.australiaday.org.au/wa.aspx

SA www.australiaday.org.au/sa.aspx

TAS www.australiaday.org.au/tasmania.aspx

QLD www.australiaday.org.au/qld.aspx

NT www.australiaday.org.au/nt.aspx

VIC www.australiaday.vic.gov.au/