Gold Coast Australia Day 2012 Activities and Events

A guide to what's on and things to do on the Gold Coast for Australia Day 2012.

The beginning of 2012 ushers in another January highlighted by the annual Australia Day holiday, and on the Gold Coast this typically means hot, sunny weather and a public holiday spent taking part in the celebrations and activities, or simply chilling out and enjoying a cold one in tribute to the founding of our glorious nation and the original landing of settlers that occurred back in 1788. This year's Australia Day on the Gold Coast is shaping up to be a big one, with a series of formal and informal celebrations set to take place in the backyards, parks, beaches and attractions that combine to make the Gold Coast what it is. Some of the top events for this year's Australia Day on the Gold Coast include:

• The Evandale Parklands at Bundall will once again form the staging ground for the year's government-supported celebrations, with festivities officially kicking off at 10am and lasting until 4pm, designed specifically with families in mind that promises to be full of food, fun and entertainment. With an alcohol-free environment coupled with such festivities and attractions as a Big Top Family Circus, a gift race, woodchopping championships, a Border Collie Dog Show and stage entertainment of varying kinds to accommodate for different tastes, there will be something to delight everyone both young and old.

• All Gold Coast Theme Parks, including Warner Bros MovieWorld, Sea World, Dreamworld and Wet 'n' Wild will be open on the public holiday, so those planning to visit the parks will not have to change any prior plans. MovieWorld in particular even has their special Chinese New Year Celebration shows occurring during this week, which start at 10:30am every day and provide an additional bonus to those attending.

• Jupiter's Casino will be playing host to its Jupiter's Gold Coast Pool Party with The Veronicas this Australia day - an adults-only event that promises to serve as a pool party with a difference. Featuring a lineup of some of Australia's hottest DJs while being headlined by popular music group The Veronicas, the event kicks off at 12pm and continues on until 6pm, with a day of fun in the sun and some great tunes all on offer.

• Most major Gold Coast shopping outlets are open on Australia day, including standard operating hours for larger stores at both Pacific Fair and Robina Town Centre operating between 10:30am and 4:00pm - you may have to check individual stores as to whether they will be open for late night shopping as Australia Day 2012 occurs on a Thursday. Australia Fair, meanwhile, aims to compensate for the loss of late night shopping on the 26th by having their late night shopping occur on the 25th until 9:00pm.

• A free 2012 Gold Coast Australia Day concert will be offered at Southport's Broadwater Parklands, with special kids zone activities also included so that families may bring the little ones along to have a good time.

Stay tuned to this page for more Australia Day events as they are announced and further details are forthcoming. If you're looking for more things to do on the Gold Coast, check out our Gold Coast section for a list of theme parks, attractions, activities and more!