The Race that Stops a Nation
By Larry Rivera, About.com Guide to Australia / New Zealand Travel
The countdown is on to Australia's bigest and richest horse racing event — the Melbourne Cup — run on the first Tuesday of November. It's the race that literally stops the nation and the day of the running of the Cup is a public holiday in Melbourne. Other events this spring and summer include Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the grueling Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race...
Melbourne Cup
On the first Tuesday of November each year, all Australia comes to a standstill. It is the running of the Melbourne Cup, still Australia's premier and richest horse race. Unless there are scratchings, 24 horses line up at the barrier at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse for the 3200-metre race which has become a national passion.
- Australia's Biggest Racing Event
- Melbourne Cup 2009
- Melbourne Cup Day
- The Running of the Cup
- Flemington Racecourse
- Viewed Wins 2008 Melbourne Cup
- Melbourne Cup 2007
- Makybe Diva: Three-Times Melbourne Cup Winner
- Phar Lap: Legendary Australian Racehorse
- Melbourne Cup Photo Gallery
Christmastime
No snow on the ground, no reindeers pulling sleighs... Christmas Down Under takes place in the first month of the southern summer, so it's a rather different Christmas in Australia and New Zealand but with a lot of similarities, too.
Summer Down Under
The southern summer begins in December and finishes in February. Aside from Christmas festivities, it's a time of beach-going, bangers and barbecues, and cooling off in the mountains. There are a number of holidays, too, and big summer events.
- Australia in December
- Australia in January
- Australia in February
- Is Summer the Best Time to Visit Sydney?
- Boxing Day
- Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
- Australian Open
- Australia Day
- Waitangi Day
- Chinese New Year in Sydney
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
- Beachtime in Sydney
- Melbourne Beaches
Anzac Day
April 25 is Anzac Day which is marked throughout Australia and New Zealand with dawn services, wreath-laying, parades, or a combination of these, to commemorate the 1915 Gallipoli landing by the Anzacs in World War I.
- Anzac Day: Lest We Forget
- The One Day of the Year
- The Anzacs: We Will Remember Them
- Australian War Memorial: National Shrine
- Australian War Memorial: Born of Gallipoli
- Sydney's Anzac Memorial
- Sydney's Anzac Bridge
- Christchurch Heroes Monument
- Who Are the Diggers?
- What Are Anzac Biscuits?
- Anzac Biscuits Recipe
Public Holidays
There are a number of official national public holidays in Australia and New Zealand, some of which are unique to either country or both. A number of public holidays may also occur on different dates in different states in Australia and in New Zealand. Some of these holidays specific to Australia or New Zealand follow:
Events and Festivals
If you enjoy being in a particular place at festival time, you'll find a number of events and festivals in Australia and New Zealand practically all year round. These range from cultural events to sports contests, flower festivals, racing carnivals and colorful ethnic celebrations.
- Adelaide Festival of Arts
- Australian Tennis Open
- Blue Mountains Yulefest
- Bowral Tulip Time Festival
- Cabramatta Moon Festival
- Canberra Floriade
- Christmas in Australia
- Darwin Beer Can Regatta
- Easter in Sydney
- Melbourne Cup
- Moomba Festival
- Royal Queensland Show
- St Patrick's Day in Sydney
- Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
- Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
- Sydney Royal Easter Show
- Whaleshark Festival
Theatre and Performing Arts
A popular and accessible facet of a country's culture comprises theatre and performing arts events staged in various venues. These include opera, ballet, drama, musicals and cabaret performed in places ranging from grand halls to intimate and tiny theatre spaces.
