It’s that time of year…work routines resume after festive fun, tennis and cricket fill our television screens and backyard barbies sizzle at the weekend.
As we gear up for the first holiday of 2024 – Australia Day on Friday, January 26 – set the tone for the next 11 months by celebrating with family and friends at home, or visit your fave local venue and enjoy a bite and brew.
Here are five suggestions for your Australia Day celebrations:
Join the fun at Coya on Pacific Highway in St Leonards this long weekend and celebrate with a barbeque dinner featuring mezza, King Habibi chicken kebabs, Queen Rania kafta and Princess Jamime baklava cheesecake from 6pm on Friday, January 26. Degustation delights with a Middle Eastern twist constantly await adventurous foodies at this happily buzzing dining destination from three, six and 10-course menu options.
Expect to indulge your senses, taking time to savour each dish before eagerly anticipating the next with creations such as sweet harissa King prawns and raspberry emulsion, before chermoula-spiced Marulan lamb and Egyptian bread pudding with pistachio anglaise.
The Peacock Room – Orange, NSW
Classic European Cuisine
Immerse yourself in a day of refined relaxation, surrounded by scenic beauty for a chic Australia Day at The Peacock Room on Woodward Street in Orange. Enjoy refreshing swims in The Oriana Gardens pool, crafted cocktails and wood-fired tapas in a sophisticated setting, before indulging in a quintessential Aussie barbeque, blending casual elegance with culinary excellence.
Expect tapas plates such as squid, chorizo, garlic aioli and crunchy bread, along with Catalan mussels, rich tomato sauce, olive oil and garlic bread; moving onto wood-fire barbequed baby pork ribs, Chef Julian magic mop sauce and slaw, or orange roughy in papillote with mushrooms, tomato and soft herbs.
Beautiful Vineyard Views
Those looking for a wonderful place to wine and dine on Australia Day can look no further than Horizon at 1837 on Yaldara Drive in Lyndoch. This Barossa Valley dining destination nestles on 25 hectares with pristine views and serene beauty just a 50-minute drive from Adelaide city, showcasing a creative seasonal menu using the best locally sourced quality products – the food is adventurous, highlighting pure inspired flavours.
Open for lunch and dinner on Friday, start your celebration with karaage chicken, pickled daikon and wasabi dipping sauce to share, before cider-braised pork belly, pickled kohlrabi, smoked pumpkin and charred broccolini, or saltbush rubbed lamb rump, heirloom, carrot, lamb bone and black garlic butter.
Den Devine Restaurant & Music Hall – Broadbeach, Qld
Live Music Event on Friday
Join the gang at Den Devine Restaurant & Music Hall on Victoria Avenue in Broadbeach for an epic Aussie live music event this Friday with pot and parmi specials – plus six hours of tunes featuring Jett Lindsay and Dane Stone Duo. Bring your mates as bookings of six or more receive a free 3-litre beer tower!
You will instantly relax in the warm, comfortable indoor and outdoor dining options transporting you to a place far from the bright lights of the Gold Coast to chill out and enjoy an eclectic mix of delicious, homely food while sipping a signature cocktail, beer, wine or spirit.
Sensational South American
Head to Pan Pacific Perth’s award-winning Uma Restaurant on Adelaide Terrace in the heart of the city for a four-course set menu with paired wines to celebrate all things Aussie on Friday. The menu at Uma draws inspiration from an indigenous population, spanning from the Inca to the cuisine of European, Asian and West African immigrants and is designed to be shared.
Curated by Executive Chef, Xerxes Bodhanwala, the dinner will feature a selection of dishes showcasing locally sourced WA produce, while midway through the meal guests can watch the impressive Australia Day fireworks from the Pan Pacific’s best vantage points as the city and Swan River light up in celebration.
