Celebrate Australia Day at free events

Free breakfast will be served up across the Cairns region this Saturday 26 January to celebrate Australia Day.

Cairns Regional Council will have the barbecues sizzling at the Cairns Esplanade and Trinity Beach from 7am, amid a full morning of entertainment and activities.

At the Cairns Esplanade, kids and big kids are invited to fill up on a bacon and egg brekky before joining in a range of “backyard” sports, including cricket, soccer, basketball and rugby league.

“In the backyard, everyone’s a sports star and everyone is welcome to play,” Mayor Bob Manning said. “On Australia Day, we’re turning the Cairns Esplanade into Tropical North Queensland’s biggest backyard.”

Adding to the sporting theme, Hit FM will broadcast live from the event with their Australia Day Ultimate Ping Pong Challenge.

There will also be the chance to get up close to some native animals, as well as face painting and a jumping castle.

At Trinity Beach, grab a free sausage sandwich and relax on the foreshore with live entertainment including Tjapukai dancers, market stalls, reptiles from Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, dinosaur inflatable slide and beach activities. Triple M will broadcast live from the beachside.

In the southern reaches of the Cairns region, the Babinda and District Community Association will host a free barbecue breakfast plus a full morning of live music and interactive fun at Babinda Boulders.

Activities include pie-eating and thong-throwing competitions, laser tag, scavenger hunt and more. The event is proudly supported by Cairns Regional Council.

“Australia Day is a great day to get out and enjoy everything that’s great about living in Tropical North Queensland,” Cr Manning said.

“All the activities are free and family-friendly, so why not get everyone together and celebrate with your community.”

Cr Manning said to prepare for a wet Australia Day in Cairns to avoid letting the weather dampen the fun.

“We live in the tropics and it’s the wet season,” he said. “So, if it’s raining on Saturday, slip on a pair of thongs and embrace our tropical weather.”

The day takes on extra significance for 68 Cairns region residents, who will become Australians on Australia Day.

A special citizenship ceremony will be held at Cairns Regional Council to welcome the new citizens, who hail from 27 countries of origin.

“This is truly one of the highlights of Australia Day,” Cr Manning said. “It’s fantastic that so many of our residents become Australian citizens on our national day – what a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our region’s diversity.”

*Note – in the event of a Severe Weather Warning, see Cairns Regional Council’s Facebook page for updates.