Australia Day Archives - The Gap Today

The Australia Day long weekend brings some massive family attractions to Brisbane. The world’s largest inflatable theme park, The Big Bounce, launches on Saturday, while Bluey’s World continues to draw crowds at Northshore. It is also the final weekend to catch the creative workshops at the Museum of Brisbane before they wrap up for the school holidays.

The Big Bounce

24 January – 1 February 2026 | Eagles Sports Complex, Mansfield
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Prepare for some serious airtime as the world’s largest inflatable theme park takes over Mansfield. Featuring massive ball pits, climbing towers, and a 300-metre long obstacle course, this is a high-energy day out suitable for toddlers, older kids, and even adults.

Bluey’s World

15 January – 15 March 2026 | Northshore Pavilion, Hamilton
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Brisbane’s most famous blue heeler welcomes families into her world. This immersive experience recreates the Heeler family home with impressive detail, offering interactive games, photo opportunities, and a chance to play in the backyard just like in the show.

Puppy Yoga

24 & 25 January 2026 | Paddington & Bulimba
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Combine relaxation with cuteness overload. These sessions guide you through a yoga class while adorable puppies roam the room for cuddles.

24 Jan: Yoga Bones, Paddington
25 Jan: The Centre of Dance, Bulimba

Story Bridge Adventure Climb

15 December 2025 – 23 January 2026 | Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Brisbane City
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It is the final day (Friday) to take advantage of the school holiday specials. brave the heights and take the family to the top of Brisbane’s iconic bridge for panoramic views of the city and river—a thrilling way to start the long weekend.

MoB Kids: Dazzle Discs

13 December 2025 – 26 January 2026 | Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
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Celebrate the sparkly city lights in this craft workshop. Kids can design and create their own light-reflecting “dazzle discs” to take home. This is the final weekend to catch this activity before it closes.

MoB Kids: Cut + Collect Badge Studio

5 – 26 January 2026 | Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
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Another creative offering closing this weekend. Children can design their own badges using collage techniques, taking inspiration from the museum’s art collection to create a wearable masterpiece.

Backbone Theatre For Babies

23 January 2026 | Backbone Youth Arts, Seven Hills
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A gentle and engaging performance designed specifically for infants and their carers. This theatre experience uses sensory play, sound, and movement to captivate the youngest audience members in a safe and welcoming environment.

Holidays Kids Combo

15 December 2025 – 27 January 2026 | Pacific Golf Club, Carindale
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Pacific Golf Club continues its popular holiday combo deal. It’s a great way to get the kids outdoors for a round of mini-golf, with food and drink options making it an easy, low-stress outing for parents.

Children’s storytime in the park – Frew Park

23 January 2026 | Frew Park, Milton
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Head to the famous “arena” playground at Frew Park for a special outdoor storytime. It’s a free, relaxed morning of stories and songs, followed by plenty of time to run around on the massive concrete play structures.

STEAM Sundays

25 January 2026 | Indooroopilly Library, Indooroopilly
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Keep the brain ticking over with this Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths workshop. Suitable for school-aged kids, this Sunday session offers fun challenges that encourage problem-solving and creativity.

First 5 Forever children’s storytime

23 January 2026 | Carina Library, Carina
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A classic library storytime session designed to foster a love of reading in children under five. Expect rhymes, songs, and picture books in a cool, air-conditioned setting—perfect for escaping the January humidity.

With the school year fast approaching, this Australia Day long weekend serves as the ultimate summer finale for Brisbane families. It is the perfect time to burn off that boundless holiday energy at The Big Bounce or soak up some culture at the Museum of Brisbane before their seasonal workshops wrap up. Whether you are seeking adrenaline-pumping fun or a gentle start to the year with puppy yoga, be sure to lock in your tickets early to end the holidays on a high note.

Finnigan’s Chin in Keperra is one of over 200 pubs and bars owned by Australian Venue Co (AVC) that became entangled in a national controversy after the hospitality group initially announced a ban on Australia Day celebrations.

Read: Urban Transformation: A New Chapter for Keperra Quarry

The move, aimed at “avoiding the hurt and sadness” some associate with January 26, was met with widespread criticism, prompting the company to backtrack just a day later.

On December 1, AVC, the country’s second-largest pub operator, announced it would not host or promote Australia Day celebrations at any of its venues, including Finnigan’s Chin.

The company cited growing public debate over January 26, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788—a day that, for many Indigenous Australians, represents the beginning of colonization and systemic oppression.

The ban, which affected popular venues in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Sydney, was intended to shift the focus toward celebrating Australian culture year-round. However, the announcement quickly drew criticism from public figures, politicians, and community leaders.

Criticism and Backlash

Australia Day celebration (Photo credit: Australia Day Queensland/Facebook)

Indigenous leader Warren Mundine called the decision “woke” and accused AVC of being anti-Australian, while Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter described it as “condescending,” attributing the move to urban elites rather than Indigenous voices. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett also criticized the ban, labeling it divisive and out of touch with the public’s sentiment.

The backlash extended to social media, with many patrons voicing their dissatisfaction and accusing AVC of overstepping its role as a hospitality provider.

A Swift Apology

In response to the criticism, AVC reversed its decision on December 2 and issued an apology via Instagram:

“We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion. We sincerely regret that—our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it.

It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that and we apologise for our comments. It certainly wasn’t our intention to offend anyone.”

A Complex National Conversation

The controversy surrounding AVC’s initial decision underscores the broader national debate about Australia Day, with growing calls to change the date or reconsider its significance. Businesses, schools, and organizations are increasingly finding themselves caught in the crossfire of this sensitive issue, balancing inclusivity with diverse community expectations.

Read: Crime Wave Prompts Keperra Sports Club to Divert Funds From Essential Services to Security

Finnigan’s Chin and the Path Forward

As one of many venues impacted by the controversy, Finnigan’s Chin continues to operate as usual, welcoming patrons with varying perspectives. The incident serves as a reminder of the complexities businesses face in addressing contentious issues while striving to foster inclusivity and unity within their communities.

Published 3-December-2024

Tag: Australia Day

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