Best Australia Day Events Brisbane 2025

This year, Australia Day falls on a Sunday, giving Australians a long weekend to enjoy with family and friends. Brisbane will be buzzing with family-friendly events, many centred around the water or near the beach, promising a fun and cool way to celebrate the occasion.

We’ve gathered all of the best kid-friendly Australia Day events in Brisbane and beyond from special Australia day events to local activities and ideas to make the most of your Australia day. We have even included some ideas to make the most of your day off if you want to stay at home from giant Tim Tam cakes to Australia day games and the best songs about Australia.

Events on Australia Day: Sunday the 26th of January 2025

Great Australian Bites Brisbane

South Bank | from 2pm – 7.30pm

Riverside Green at South Bank Parklands will come alive with pop-up stalls serving up delicious food from popular vendors, while home-grown performers hit the stage for a dynamic program of music and family-friendly fun to keep everyone entertained!. Find out more here – Great Australian Bites Brisbane

Australia Day Music in the Park Scarborough

Scarborough Beach Park | 1pm – 6pm

Celebrate Australia Day at Scarborough Beach with an afternoon of live music, free family fun, and bay breezes. Enjoy live local entertainment, kids’ activities, and a variety of food trucks. Bring your picnic rug or chairs and relax with friends and family in a vibrant seaside atmosphere. Find out more here – Australia Day in Scarborough

Australia Day Music in the Park Bribie Island

Brennan Park Bongaree | 1pm – 5pm

Celebrate Australia Day on beautiful Bribie Island with an afternoon of live music, free family activities, and sunny vibes. From 1pm to 5pm, relax by the water with your picnic rug or folding chairs and enjoy fantastic local entertainment in a quintessential Aussie setting.

Highlights include live music, fun kids’ activities, and delicious bites from food trucks. Remember to bring water, sunscreen, seating, and shade for a comfortable and unforgettable celebration. Find out more here – Australia Day Music in the Park – Bribie Island

Oxley Bowls Club Australia Day Family Fun Day 

Oxley | 12pm – late

The Oxley Bowls Club is hosting an Australia Day Family Fun Day, perfect for bringing the community together. Enjoy traditional Australian games for kids and adults, delicious food vans, live music, and raffle prizes.

Families are encouraged to bring picnic mats and soak up the festive atmosphere. This year’s event will be a smaller, more relaxed celebration, ideal for a laid-back Australia Day. Find all the details here – Oxley Bowls Club Australia Day

Aussie Arvo

Lawnton | 2pm – 7pm

Bring your Brisbane Kids along to Lawnton Aquatic Centre to celebrate Australia Day at Aussie Arvo. This free pool party will include live Aussie music, rides, poolside disco, games, fireworks and competitions. A sausage sizzle, popcorn and fairy floss will be available on the day. Find all the details here – Lawnton Aussie Arvo

Logan Model Engineering Society Miniature Train Rides Special Australia Day Run

Woodridge | 10.30am – 3pm

Logan Model Engineering Society Miniature Train Rides first running day for 2024 is a special running day event on the Australia Day. Trains run from 10:30am through to around 3:00pm but may close early and conduct staff training if there are no public to ride. Passengers are required to wear enclosed shoes when riding the trains and follow the instructions of the staff at all times for everyone’s safety. Children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the track- Single ride – $3, 5 ride Multi-Pass (over 18, they ride for free). Find more information here

Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village

Caboolture | 9am to 2pm (Parade 1pm)

Celebrate Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village with a relaxed, Aussie Sunday vibe. Enjoy live music ranging from rock & roll and Australian classics to Celtic, blues, and country, scattered across shady spots around the village. 

Explore over 70 heritage buildings, see vintage cars, motorcycles, and machinery, and watch woodcraft demonstrations. Join in classic Australia Day activities like thong tossing and toad racing. Bring a camp chair or blanket and soak up the laid-back atmosphere while celebrating Australia’s rich history and culture. entry is $15 for Adults, $5 for 6-16yrs and Free for 5yrs and under. Find out more here: Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village

FREE Australia Day Fun In The Park

Beaudesert | 5pm – 9pm

A fun afternoon in the park with jumping castles, inflatable ninja course, kids activities, face painting followed by a Movie in the Park screening once the stars come out. More information

Celebrating Multicultural Queensland

Logan Central | 2pm – 6pm

Celebrate Multicultural Queensland with Agape Community Development Association at Logan Gardens Water Park. Enjoy an afternoon filled with vibrant cultural performances, including Acholi Bwola, African drumming, Kuku dance, and more. There will be plenty of food and drinks, making it a family-friendly celebration of diversity and community spirit. More information

Mud Crab races @ Brighton Roosters JRLC Australia Day Community Event

Brighton | from 12pm

A celebration at the Brighton Roosters JRLC to celebrate our Nations birthday with our community. The day begins with activities for all ages. This includes rides for the kids, Amusement games, face painting, balloon twisting, a petting zoo and lamington eating, tug of war and thong throwing competitions. Live music throughout the afternoon and a massive fireworks display at 8pm. The highlight of the day is always the famous mud crab races with 4 heats and a final. Form a syndicate and you can increase your chances of being a mud crab owner. Many prizes to be won throughout the day. More information

Australia Day Celebrations at Sandstone Point

Sandstone Point | 12pm – 8pm

Celebrate Australia Day with the ultimate family fun at Sandstone Point Hotel! Dive into the excitement on the iconic 50-metre slip ‘n’ slide—bring your own inflatable (under 1m wide) or body surf your way to a ripper of a day. 
Relax on the lawn with a picnic rug or chair while enjoying live music, or get involved in the action with kangaroo relay races and plenty of fun kids’ activities. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement for an unforgettable Aussie Day celebration! Find all the details here Australia Day Celebrations at Sandstone Point

SALO- SALO @ Salamat Po! Australia Day Celebration

St James Catholic Parish, Coorparoo | 9am – 3pm

A free BBQ that will feature food prepared by the Filipino community and Indigenous Chefs. The food will be enjoyed by all attendees as entertainment from a fusion of Filipino and Indigenous cultures is performed. The day will bring together the community to enjoy a mixture of cultures on Australia’s national day with food, games, live music and cultural performances. Find all the details here SALO- SALO @ Salamat Po! Australia Day Celebration

Australia Day Pool Party 

Jindalee Pool | 12pm – 3pm

What else is open for kids on Australia Day 2025?

The Queensland Museum

The Queensland Museum Kurilpa is open on Sundays. The kids will enjoy the variety of exhibitions on show and you will enjoy the air conditioning and the coffee. It is completely free to enter apart from the Sciencentre, which is a ticketed. Some of the exhibitions you can see right now include:

• Wild State: A celebration of the biodiversity in Queensland with a range of incredible animals
• Dinosaurs Unearthed- which is an introduction to some of Queensland dinosaurs. You can extend the play by using our dinosaur scavenger hunt.
• Discover the dazzling world of minerals at Minerals: Inspirational Treasures from the Earth, featuring over 230 rare gems and minerals from Australia and beyond.
  Marvel at the largest exhibit, a 160kg gypsum crystal, and the tiniest, a 5mm diamond cube.
  Explore a vibrant spectrum of colours, from purple amethyst to red cinnabar, and celebrate the natural beauty and diversity of Earth’s geological treasures.
• Discovering Ancient Egypt – Ticketed event (Adults $30): Step into the world of ancient Egypt with a stunning exhibition from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities. Experience 3D projections of the Temple of Taffeh, rare Book of the Dead scrolls, exquisite jewellery, and artefacts showcasing the artistry and rituals of this captivating civilisation. Book online early to secure your spot, as popular times sell out quickly!

Kids Exhibitions at Ipswich Art Gallery

Make It Slow, is a hands-on lesson in sustainability, slowing down, and focussing on the art of making. It’s a hands on exhibitions Brisbane Kids will love and the fact they are all free and in air-conditioning makes for a great option to keep the kids busy on the public holiday. No bookings are required for these exhibitions. IAG is open daily, 10am–5pm Find more information on our website calendar, and read our review of this exhibition here

GOMA

The Children’s Art Centre at GOMA is proud to present a collection of seven artist projects for Asia Pacific Triennial Kids. Children can explore their creativity through making and multimedia interactives and reflect on the experiences of others through drawing and video works by artists from India, Aotearoa New Zealand, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia / Palestine, Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Find more information here. GOMA is open daily from 10am – 5pm

Free Waterparks and Brisbane Pools

Waterparks are what makes Brisbane the sunshine city and you will not be disappointed by the sheer volume free waterparks, from Settlement Cove to Robelle Domain, Ferny Grove Aqua Park, Wynnum Water Park and South Bank. If you are happy to pay a few dollars then head to your local aquatic centre or public pool and check out their Facebook page first to see what Australia events they have running at the same time. (Just use the search function on our website to find any of these water parks or local aquatic centres).

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Lone Pine is open on Australia Day with no holiday surcharge. Enjoy the sheep dog show, the lorrikeet bird feeding and our favourite- the bird show! Australian animals are the best!! Read our review of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary here

Brisbane’s Best Beaches

Okay, some are a small drive down the highway, but we are blessed for choice when it comes to glorious beaches that are only a short drive from Brisbane. Whether you head up or down the coast, some of our favourites include Currimundi Lake, Currumbin Rockpools and Coolum. (we have reviewed all these places and more on our website, just search for them by name in the search bar above).

Australia Day Fireworks

For many families, Australia Day each year is spent at South Bank watching the annual fireworks display. This year, unfortunately, they will not be held at South Bank, however, a few local events, such as Brighton Roosters JRLC Australia Day Community Event and the Gold Coast Australia Day Celebrations will feature fireworks for the whole family to enjoy. 

Australia Day Games

Australia Day Games are Australian themed game ideas from tossing the thong to make an Australian shape from your Arnotts biscuit.

Australian Animal Colouring in

If you are planning to head to a local restaurant or to a picnic, then print these Australian Animals Colouring In Printables first – they’re totally free!

To stay up to date with all the awesome family-friendly events happening in Brisbane take a look at the Brisbane Kids Upcoming Shows page, the Brisbane Kids Event Calendar or sign up to the Brisbane Kids Weekly Newsletter. 

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PAST AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS – Australia Day Events 2024

Australia Day Friday the 26th January 2024

Great Australian Bites Brisbane

South Bank | from 2pm – 7.30pm:

Riverside Green at South Bank Parklands will come alive with pop-up stalls serving up delicious food from popular vendors, while home-grown performers hit the stage for a dynamic program of music and family-friendly fun to keep everyone entertained!. Find out more here – Great Australian Bites Brisbane

Australia Day Music in the Park Scarborough

Scarborough Beach Park | 1pm – 6pm:

Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Scarborough Beach Park for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day in Redcliffe is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy. From a kids’ activities to food trucks, market stalls and live music, Australia Day in Scarborough guarantees families a ripper of a time at the beach. Bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Find out more here Australia Day in Scarborough

Oxley Community Festival

Oxley | 12pm -late :

Come and enjoy a family fun day and night to celebrate Australia Day at the Oxley Bowls Club Pool Party on a Bowls Green. The day will include:  *Oxley Bowls Australia Day Cup *Backyard cricket *Rides *Raffles *Bar Open *Gumboot and Thong Throwing Championship *Drinks *BBQ *Raffles*Huge Splashing Kids pool *Barefoot Bowls*Entertainment*Rides*Games for kids *Live Music throughout the day *Fireworks. Find all the details here  Oxley Community Festival

Australia Day Fireworks on Bribie Island

Brennan Park | 5 pm – 8pm:

Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Brennan Park, Bribie Island for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day on Bribie Island is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy.  With live music and a fireworks finale, make sure you bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Plus satisfy your cravings with delicious bites and meals from a variety of food trucks available at the event. Find out more here Australia Day on Bribie Island. 

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Australia Day Events 2023

Australia Day Music in the Park Scarborough

Scarborough Beach Park | 1pm – 6pm:

Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Scarborough Beach Park for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day in Redcliffe is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy. From a kids’ activities to food trucks, market stalls and live music, Australia Day in Scarborough guarantees families a ripper of a time at the beach. Bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Find out more here Australia Day in Scarborough

Oxley Community Festival

Oxley | 12pm -late :

Come and enjoy a family fun day and night to celebrate Australia Day at the Oxley Bowls Club Pool Party on a Bowls Green. The day will include:  *Oxley Bowls Australia Day Cup *Backyard cricket *Rides *Raffles *Bar Open *Gumboot and Thong Throwing Championship *Drinks *BBQ *Raffles*Huge Splashing Kids pool *Barefoot Bowls*Entertainment*Rides*Games for kids *Live Music throughout the day *Fireworks. Find all the details here  Oxley Community Festival

Australia Day Fireworks on Bribie Island

Brennan Park | 5 pm – 8pm:

Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Brennan Park, Bribie Island for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day on Bribie Island is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy.  With live music and a fireworks finale, make sure you bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Plus satisfy your cravings with delicious bites and meals from a variety of food trucks available at the event. Find out more here Australia Day on Bribie Island. 

Great Australian Bites Brisbane

South Bank | from 2pm – 7pm:

Riverside Green at South Bank Parklands will come alive with pop-up stalls serving up delicious food from popular vendors, while home-grown performers hit the stage for a dynamic program of music and family-friendly fun to keep everyone entertained!. Find out more here  Great Australian Bites Brisbane

Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village

Caboolture | from 9am:

Come on over and enjoy the day sampling the food and drinks, listening to music and watch the Grande Parade. Gates open 9:00 am and entry is $10 with children under 16 FREE. Find out more here  Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village

Australia Day at Australia Zoo

Beerwah

Make a splash on the 6m waterslide, see the croc feeding in the Crocoseum and see all the other amazing Australian animals Find the details here Australia Zoo 

Australia Day Celebrations at Sandstone Point

Sandstone Point | 12pm – 8pm:

Grab your togs and bring the whole family along to the Sandstone Point Hotel for their Australia Day celebrations. There will be so much for kids to do with a giant 50m slip’n’slide, lamington eating competition, live music, the playground and of course acres of grass for them to run around and kick the footy. Find all the details here Australia Day Celebrations 

Australia Day Celebrations at Tulmur Place

Ipswich| 10am- 2pm:

Enjoy a welcome performance by the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company, pavlova making, live music, licenced bar courtesy of Aushotels and cool-down at the zero-depth water play zone. Find all the details here Australia Day Celebrations at Tulmur Place

Australia Day Pool Party 

Jindalee Pool| 1pm – 4pm:

Langlands Australia Day Pool Party

Australia Day Music in the Park Scarborough

Scarborough Beach Park | 1pm – 6pm: Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Scarborough Beach Park for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day in Redcliffe is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy. From a kids’ activities to food trucks, market stalls and live music, Australia Day in Scarborough guarantees families a ripper of a time at the beach. Bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Find out more here Australia Day in Scarborough

Aussie Arvo – Free Pool Party at Lawnton**CANCELLED**

Lawnton | 1pm – 6pm: Bring your Brisbane Kids along to Lawnton Aquatic Centre to celebrate Australia Day at Aussie Arvo. This free pool party will include live Aussie music, rides, poolside disco, games and competitions. A sausage sizzle, popcorn and fairy floss will be available on the day. Find all the details here Aussie Arvo – Free Pool Party

Australia Day Celebrations at Oxley **CANCELLED**

Oxley| 2pm -9pm : Come and enjoy a family fun day and night to celebrate Australia Day at the Oxley Bowls Club Pool Party on a Bowls Green. The day will include:  *Oxley Bowls Australia Day Cup *Backyard cricket *Rides *Raffles *Bar Open *Gumboot and Thong Throwing Championship *Drinks *BBQ *Raffles*Huge Splashing Kids pool *Barefoot Bowls*Entertainment*Rides*Games for kids *Live Music throughout the day *Fireworks. Find all the details here  Australia Day 2021 Beach Party

Australia Day on Bribie Island

Brennan Park | 5 pm – 7.30pm: Join in the celebrations at the gorgeous Brennan Park, Bribie Island for an easy-going, Aussie time. Australia Day on Bribie Island is free to attend and one the whole family can enjoy.  With live music and a fireworks finale, make sure you bring a picnic blanket and fold-up chairs, find the perfect spot and relax as you watch the kids play in the water and sand. Find out more here Australia Day on Bribie Island. 

Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village** CANCELLED**

Caboolture | from 9am: Come on over and enjoy the day sampling the food and drinks, listening to music and watch the Grande Parade. Gates open 9:00 am and entry is $10 with children under 16 FREE. Find out more here  Australia Day at Caboolture Historical Village

Australia Day Celebrations at Australia Zoo

Beerwah  | John Williamson & the Gubbi Gubbi will perform live in the Mount Franklin Crocoseum followed by the Irwin family feeding the crocs! Take part in kangaroo hopscotch, Aussie icon hunt and koala throwing competition – don’t worry, the koalas aren’t real. Find the details here Australia Day Celebrations @ Australia Zoo 

Australia Day Celebrations at Sandstone Point

Sandstone Point | 12pm – late: Grab your togs and bring the whole family along to the Sandstone Point Hotel for their Australia Day celebrations. There will be so much for kids to do with a giant 50m slip’n’slide, lamington eating competition, live music, the playground and of course acres of grass for them to run around and kick the footy. Find all the details here Australia Day Celebrations 

Australia Day Celebrations at Tulmur Place

Ipswich| 10am- 2pm: Enjoy a welcome performance by the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company, singalong to Australian rock classics with cover band Chester, cool-down at the zero-depth water play zone and misting stations and enjoy a variety of food trucks of all tastes.. Find all the details here Australia Day Celebrations at Tulmur Place

Free Entry To Ipswich Pools

Various Ipswich City Council Pools | 10am – 4pm: Since 1997 it has been an Ipswich City Council tradition to hold Australia Day celebrations at local council pools and this year will be no different. Free entry will be at the following Ipswich City Council-owned swim centres: Bundamba Swim Centre, Goodna Aquatic Centre, Rosewood Aquatic Centre and Georgie Conway Leichhardt Community Swim Centre. Find all the details here Australia Day At Ipswich City Council Pools

Together Under the Sun Australia Day Celebrations

Gatton and District Historical Society| 2pm – 9pm: Join the Members of Gatton and District Historical Society in a wonderful celebration of the Nation Australia has now become. The celebrations include:?Welcome to Country ?Cultural Workshops (some bookings required) ?Live entertainment ?Gumboot throwing, thong throwing, Paper Aeroplane Competitions ?The Great Lockyer Lamington Bake Off! ?Global Food Trucks AND…. ?Free screening of the ICONIC Aussie film, the Castle! Find all the details here Together Under the Sun

Australia Day at South Bank

South Bank | Please note the annual Australia Day fireworks at South Bank have been cancelled for 2022. 

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To stay up to date with all the awesome family-friendly events happening in Brisbane take a look at the Brisbane Kids Upcoming Shows page, the Brisbane Kids Event Calendar or sign up to the Brisbane Kids Weekly Newsletter.