Leisure Activities

In Australia, there are a variety of leisure activities available for everyone, such as festivals, events and sports. Below, I have listed some leisure activities which are popular among locals.

Festivals

Adelaide Festival of Arts
One of the world's greatest celebration of the arts, the festival is held in Adelaide, South Australia, during March in even-numbered years. It showcases opera, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, cabaret and 'new media'.

Canberra Floriade
An annual flower festival with scents, sounds and sights of the Canberra spring, held between mid-September to mid-October. Performances, activities, workshops and exhibitions are conducted during the annual festival.


Melbourne International Film Festival



The largest film festival in the southern hemisphere, the Melbourne International Film Festival is a 19-day festival held from the end of July to mid-August. This annual festival attracts more than 150000 visitors and is a showcase for outstanding films from around the world.

Reef & Rainforest Carnivale

A family Carnivale which includes gourmet food and wine tastings, art exhibitions, sporting events, masquerade parties and entertainment. This 10-day Carnivale held in Port Douglas in Northern Queensland during May.
Visit http://carnivale.com.au/ for more information about the annual Reef & Rainforest Carnivale.

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Despite the name of the festival, it is not just for gays, everyone is welcome! Held in February and early March, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the world's premier carnivals with a wide variety of activities, an evening parade and an all-night party!

Events

Surf Carnivals & Iron Man Contests
Most beach resorts will host a surf carnival in summer, of which individuals and teams compete in board-paddling, swimming, and surfboat races. There are also team lifesaving competitions and the ironman/ironwoman competitions, (the highlight of the event) which is a combination of swimming and surf ski riding. This is very popular amongst the locals.

Cockroach World Championship
On the 26 of January every year, which is also Australia Day, at the Story Bridge Hotel in Brisbane, Queensland, the Cockroach World Championship is something to look forward to. Australians would participate in cockroach races which includes the flat and steeplechase race. Families would also wear t-shirts that says 'I am very appROACHable', 'Papa Roach' or 'Dwarf Roach'. When you've reached the venue, you can either buy a cockroach or bring your own!

The Nude Olympics
During February at Maslin Beach near Adelaide is the venue for the Nude Olympics. They even have a Best Bum competition!

Australians' Favourite Pastime

• Swimming


• Cricket


• Rugby football (which is the main football game in Canberra, New South Wales and Queensland)
  
• Motor sports (such as Formula One, motorcross, and touring car racing)


• Surfing, which is a way of life rather than a sport or leisure activity for the Australians


• Gambling (for some people it is an occupation and not just a pastime)


• Visiting museums & art galleries
  
• Going to the cinemas (over 10 million Aussies go to the cinema each year according to 'Culture Wise Australia' by David Hampshire and Martin Kidd)


• Theatres


• Music and Dance- such as ballet and opera
  
• Visiting animal and marine parks