Australia Day Events & Fun Around Port Douglas
Say “cheers, mate!” to an extra day off work, cross your fingers and toes for a cracker of a long weekend, and get ready to celebrate the grouse place that is Australia.
From pie eating comps and pool parties to official Australia Day celebrations, here’s our round-up of what’s on this long weekend in Port Douglas and surrounds.
Australia Day Awards & Citizenship Ceremony
Douglas Shire Council is again kicking things off early, holding a ceremony on Friday, 23rd January 2025 to celerbate and award our Australia Day Award nominees and winners.
The awards aim to recognise and honour those who have made significant impacts through their dedication and service to the Douglas Shire community.
The awards recognise residents in various categories including:
- Citizen of the Year
- Young Citizen of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Senior Citizen of the Year
- Senior Sports Award
- Junior Sports Award
- Environmental Achievement Award
- Arts & Cultural Award
A citizenship ceremony will also be held, formally welcoming our newest Australian citizens.
Where: Port Douglas Community Hall
When: Friday 23rd January from 5.30pm
Learn More: Douglas Shire Council
Mt Molloy National Hotel
It’s all happening this Australia Day at the Mt Molloy Hotel. Get along for a great afternoon of live music, sausage sizzles and cold drinks.
Who says Australia has no culture?! Get around the thong throwing competition, toad races and the three legged race as you tuck into some lamb chops so juicy and tender that Sam Kekovich would be proud.
Don your finest double pluggers and footy shorts. Prizes are on offer for the Best Dressed Sheila and Bloke.
There’s even a bus is running to get you there. Call 07 4094 1133 to book your spot.
Where: Mt Molloy National Hotel, 17-19 Main St, Mount Molloy
When: Monday 26th January from 12pm
Learn More: Mt Molloy Hotel on Facebook
Australia Day at Mossman Pool
Cool off and celerbate Australia Day with a big, splashy, family-friendly pool party at the Mossman Pool
With a free sausage sizzle at 12pm, live music, treats for the kids and plenty of poolside fun, this is where you’ll want to be. Entry is free but capacity is capped at 200 people, so arrive early to secure your spot.
This year we’re taking it up a notch with a thong-throwing competition, tug-of-war championships and the great Raft Building Challenge. Build your raft poolside, then race your creation in the pool. The fastest (and most creative) raft wins! Get the full details and rules online.
Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and leave the tinnies at home – this is an alcohol-free event.
Where: Mossman Pool, 1 Park Street, Mossman QLD
When: Monday 26th January 10am-2pm
Learn More: Douglas Shire Council website
Celebrate Australia with Dougies
This Monday 26th Jan, Dougies is going full HOW YA GOIN mode with a day full of games, beer and bloody good times.
Come party by the pool and celebrate being in Australia. What can you expect? The water pong competition will be going off, the delicious scent of (FREE) sausage sizzle fills the air, cold beer and drink specials will be going down a treat, and DJ Hash kicks it right into gear from 4pm.
When: Monday 26th January
Where: Dougies Backpackers Resort, 111 Davidson Street
Find out more: Dougies on Facebook
Barrier Reef Tavern
Find your way to the Tav at Four Mile this Austraia Day for a ripper of a day. This local joint oozes true blue Aussie vibes all year round, and even more so on January 26th.
Dave Dusch will be providing the tunes 3pm – 6pm, so grab your mates for some great music and a beer or a few.
When: Monday 26th January
Where: Barrier Reef Tavern, 35-37 Reef Street, Port Douglas QLD
BBQ Time with Malone’s
Fire up the barbie! Malone’s Butchery has all your crowd favourites covered so you can sizzle up a storm all weekend long.
From grass-fed Cape Grim sirloin to smokey Malone beef brisket burgers and Frenched lamb cutlets freom the Kiewa Valley, quality meat like this will transform you into a certified Grill Master.
The ultimate Aussie Day delicacy? Lamb, Vegemite and cheese sausages – for refined Australian palates who know a good thing when they taste it.
Australia Day weekend trading hours:
Friday 7am – 6pm
Saturday 7am – 4pm
Closed Sunday & Monday (Australia Day)
Where: Malone’s Butchery, 11-17 Macrossan St
Order online: portdouglas.malonesbutchery.com.au
Julatten Hotel
Celebrate Australia Day with everyone at the Julatten Hotel this Sunday. With mud crab races, thong throwing and pie eating contests, it’s guaranteed to be a pearla of a day.
Buses depart from Mossman and Port Douglas town centre to get you there. Got a group? The 20 seater coaster bus is available for group bookings from Port and Mossman. Visit the website for more details or call 3107 4220.
When: Sunday 25th January
Where: 12 Mt Lewis Rd, Julatten
Learn more & book the bus: julattenhotel.au
On this day, we reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history. There is nowhere quite like Far North Queensland to make you realise how lucky we are.
