Savvy Globe Trotter: Australia Day Overseas

The Savvy Globe Trotter, Tatyana Leonov, checks in around the world to see what’s on this Australia Day.

At any one time there are millions of Aussies travelling or living overseas, and with Australia Day just around the corner, it’s no surprise that it’s celebrated around the globe wherever there are loads of Australians. Although I’ll be spending the day in Sydney, probably at a BBQ on a beach (it really doesn’t get better than that), I’ve found a few parties going on for those of us who aren’t so lucky.

London

If you’re in London you’re spoilt for choice with plenty of venues offering everything from kangaroo steaks and jumbo prawns, to movie marathons and Aussie beers. Any pub that’s part of the infamous Walkabout chain (www.walkabout.eu.com) is bound to have a party on – the Triple J Hottest 100, Australian Open Tennis and the Australia Day Test Match on TV… If you like sport and beer, and are happy in the company of other (probably drunk) Australians, you’ll be right at any of the Walkabout pubs.

New York

The New York Magpies Australian Football Club (www.nyfooty.com) is kicking off their 2013 campaign with a Green and Gold Party on 25 January (a day early but it will be 26 January in Oz) at Professor Thom’s in the East Village (www.professorthoms.com) from 8pm. A $15 entry fee gets you into the pub where they’ll be streaming the Triple J Hottest 100. And if you wear green or gold you go in the draw the win prizes.

Beijing

If you can’t pronounce the name of Beijing’s most tourist-friendly street (Nanuoguxiang), you’re not going to get any better after a few Australian beers at 12SQM (www.twelvesqm.com). The café/bar might be small (though it’s actually 45sqm, not 12 like the name would have you believe), but the party won’t be. Think meat pies prepared by an Aussie chef, Coopers, VB and Cascade, plus Aussie music… that might just turn into bad Aussie karaoke as the day progresses.

Dublin

Apart from typical Aussie food and beer (think pies, sausages and vegemite on toast), the Woolshed Baa and Grill (www.woolshedbaa.com/dublin) is bringing bush tucker back (was it ever in?). Crickets, worms, cockroaches, sheep’s eyes and bull testicles are just some of the delicacies on offer. There’ll also be an Aussie DJ spinning tunes, a live band, and a wet T-shirt competition at midnight. Sounds like it might be a little nuts… in a good way.

Copenhagen

Brave the cold and turn up to the Southern Cross Australian Bar (www.southerncross.dk) on 26 January wearing thongs, a T-shirt and shorts, and you’ll receive a free beer. If you’re rugged up (like the rest of Denmark) don’t stress, there’s plenty of entertainment – movies, food, beers, and a live Aussie guitarist… they’re hoping (registrations are apparently still open if anyone is keen).

Bangkok

Gracious hosts Max, Martyn and Fraser will look after you at the Down Under Bar & Grill Bangkok (www.downunderbarbangkok.com). This year they’re planning to cook a big, juicy pig on a spit, stream the Australia Day Test Match and sell cold beer. Nice!

Vancouver

Footy, Fantales and Caramello Koalas, that’s what (some peoples) dreams are made off. The guys at Vancouver Cougars Australian Football Club (www.vancouvercougars.com) have organised a day of sports and sweets. They’ve booked out the east and west fields of Montgomery Park from midday till 4pm for a game (or two) of footy, and from 6pm the party is at Ceili’s on Smithe Street (www.ceilis.com/vancouver/granville/location).

Amsterdam

There’s always something on at Coco’s Outback (www.cocosoutback.com), and this Australia Day it’s going to be big. They haven’t revealed too much, except that it will be “one of the biggest piss up parties of the year”….

About the Savvy Globe Trotter

Tatyana Leonov is a writer, editor, avid traveller and determined dreamer. She’s mastered (beginners’) yoga in Goa, partied with Russia’s elite in a Moscow club, sampled local delicacies all around the world (including a camel burger in Morocco and guinea pig in Peru), trekked to Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp in Havaianas and had a short-lived career as a Bollywood star.