BIDI BONDI
The clue is in the name. This is the No 1 Aussie spot in Dubai, so head down on January 26 for two-for-one on all Australian beers – and we don’t mean Fosters! – throughout the day, as well as a bonus slice of Down Under, with the live streaming of  the TripleJ Hottest 100, an Australian broadcasting event equal in size to the Eastenders Christmas special in the UK. After that, there will also be live performances in house.

Bidi Bondi for Australian Day

Shoreline Apartments, The Palm, Dubai. Tel: (04) 427 0515. 10am-midnight. Taxi: Shoreline Apts. facebook.com/bidibondi.palmshoreline 

YALUMBA
Yalumba’s team of chefs are laying on a special Auusie BBQ on January 24 between 12.30pm-3.30pm, complete with Aussie beers and a variety of the finest Australian wines. The mouth-watering buffet comes complete with unlimited champagne and other selected beverages, all for Dhs499. A DJ will keep you entertained throughout, including during happy hour from 3.30pm-7.30pm.

Yalumba

Le Méridien Dubai, Garhoud, Dubai. Tel: (o4) 702 2328. Taxi: Le Méridien, Airport. yalumba-dubai.com

URBAN BISTRO
Media City’s coolest lunch spot is calling all Australians to try their special three-course menu (available for lunch and dinner) for just Dhs89 all weekend. Choose from a selection of Australian-inspired dishes such as the appetizing Salt and Pepper Squid with Chilli Jam or a delicious Barbecue Chicken Salad for starters. Indulge in an Australian Lamb Shank slow braised with Purple Potatoes, Root Vegetables and Thyme Jus or an Aussie Burger. For sweet endings, enjoy a Lamington Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream or the mouth-watering Blueberry Scone with Clotted Cream.

Urban Bistro

CNN building, Media City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 362 4330. Metro: Nakheel. Taxi: CNN Buidling. urbanbistro.ae

BARASTI
On top of the Aussie BBQ and beverages, beach bar Barasti is giving guests to their Australia Day celebrations on Saturday 25 six separate live performances from Marty Metcalfe, Marky Marc, DJ Venus, Tom Ferguson, Soto and Dave Simeon. There will also be themed games and activities throughout, including by the sea. And it’s free all day.

Barasti

Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3993333. Metro: Dubai Marina. lemeridien-minaseyahi.com

JONES THE GROCER
On the day itself – January 26 – Jones the grocer has created a menu to the last day, so you can feel Australia from start to finish. Kicking things off with homemade baked beans on toast with veal bacon wrapped sausages, stock up at lunch with poached prawns (shrimp on the barby, anyone?) with truffle mayo and avocado for those interested in a simple gourmet sandwich, and then tuck into the flavours of the earth with roast beetroot and carrot, crumbled goat’s cheese and Australian rocket with citrus and candied walnut.
Sheikh Zayad Road, opposite Time Square Centre, Dubai. Tel: (04) 346 6886. Metro: First Gulf Bank. jonesthegrocer.com

 

ZERO GRAVITY
Five-time Olympic beach volleyball champion Natalie Cook will be the guest of honor at Big Day Out on Friday January 24, and will be joined by INXS frontman Jon Stevens. The winner of Australian idol, Guy Sebastian, completes the hat-trick of familiar faces at the event, which costs Dhs300 (under 12s go free). Kicking off at 11.30am, the celebrations will run until 8pm, and will include plenty of beach activities for all the family, a gourmet BBQ and a performance by the Tap Dogs.

Zero Gravity

Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai. Tel: (04) 399 0009. Taxi: Skydive Dubai. Metro: Dubai Marina. abcduae.com

PARK HYATT
The curtain comes down on three days of events with the G’Day Dubai Gala Evening at Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek, on Saturday January 25. With live gourmet cooking stations, celebrity guests, live performances from Guy Sebastian and Jon Stevens, and plenty of extra activities, you’re sure to want to play by the Aussie Rules from 5.30pm-10pm.

Park Hyatt Hotel, Deira, Dubai. Tel: (04) 6021234. Taxi: Opposite Deira City Centre. dubai.parkhyatt.com