Australia Day is the one day all Aussies get together to celebrate everything that makes Australia great (and trust us, there’s a lot!). For many of us, it means heading to the closest beach or backyard pool, rounding up our mates and kicking back to enjoying the sunshine. We’ll often fire up the barbecue, serve up some classic Australian desserts and have a crack at backyard cricket.

To help you throw the ultimate Australia Day do, we’ve pulled together the seven must-haves for a ‘bloody rippa’ Aussie barbecue bash this January 26th.

1. Australia Flag

What’s an Australia Day celebration without the national flag? You’ll need one of these beauties flying high above the festivities.Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_04
Image: via Style Me Pretty

2. Barbecue

The meal of choice for an Australia Day shindig is—of course—the barbecue. So simple, but oh so delicious, there’s no better day to have a barbie.Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_01

Left: via Style Me Pretty | Right: via Australian Traveller

3. Booze

If you’re hosting an Australia Day do, you’ll need to offer your guests a bevvy or two. We suggest a fruity punch or summery sangria. And don’t forget the esky! For our Northerner friends, an ‘esky’ is basically what you might call a ‘cooler’. It’s a real Aussie icon and is essential for keeping refreshments nice and cool when it’s a scorcher outside!Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_03

Left: via  Gringalicious  | Right via: Style Me Pretty

4. Vegemite

Incorporate this Aussie icon into your spread with a cheesy scroll recipe or perhaps a Vegemite cheesecake if you’re feeling daring.Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_07

Left: via Tiny and Little | Right: via Cooked

5. Lamingtons

There’s no better time to whip up a batch of this quintessential Australian dessert than Australia Day!Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_05

Left: via Style Me Pretty | Right: via Domestic Gothess

6. A pool or beach

Whether it’s a backyard swimming pool, your local beach or a backyard slip’n’slide, a dip in the water is the best way to escape the Summer heat.Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_02

Left: via Sugar and Charm | Right via: That Kind of Woman

7. Pavlova

Treat your guests with a delicious, fluffy Pavlova topped with an abundance of fresh fruit.Blog_Tips_EssentialsforAustraliaDay_06

Left: via Hello Magazine | Right: via The Happy Foodie