Though primarily a Christian holiday and widely observed in Australia in the traditional sense, such as attending church services, it’s also celebrated by many in a secular way. For plenty of Australians, the Easter weekend is also a time for families to come together and enjoy the long weekend.
From religious traditions all the way to exploring the great outdoors, Australians celebrate this global holiday in a genuinely Aussie way. Another unique thing about Easter in Australia is that it falls during autumn, so the cool weather and the muted colours give a signature backdrop to how Easter is spent here.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the ways Australians celebrate easter and how to make the most of your long weekend.
Attend a Church Service
Going back to its roots as the most significant holiday on the Christian calendar, plenty of families attend church services during the period. Starting with Good Friday, which marks the crucifixion of Christ, it’s seen by most as a day of mourning. And out of respect, meat is avoided during this time. Since meat is avoided, hot cross buns have been traditionally served during Good Friday, symbolising the Crucifixion. And this is why Easter Monday, once the resurrection and ascension have commenced, is greeted with a lighter mood where large family meals are served, often consisting of roast lamb, chicken or beef.
The Easter Bilby
Another uniquely Australian aspect of Easter is that instead of an Easter Bunny, many prefer to celebrate the occasion with the Easter Bilby. The iconisation of this endangered marsupial was first documented in 1968 when 9-year-old Rose-Marie Dusting wrote a story called “Billy the Easter Bilby,” which was published two years later as a book. The story paved the way for the public to take an interest in saving the bilby and raising awareness that the traditional bunny could actually have environmental impacts, as opposed to true native wildlife. Plus, rabbits are considered by farmers as bad omens since they can devastate crops with their voracious appetite.
Festivals and Cultural Events
Several cities and towns across the country hold special events and Easter-themed festivals, including Sydney’s Royal Easter Show, Ulladulla’s Blessing of the Fleet Festival, the National Folk Festival in Canberra and the Australian Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba, to name a few.
Outdoor Adventure
Now, what’s an Australian celebration without a taste of the majestic outdoors? With autumn in full swing, there will be plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, including hiking, camping, horseback riding and surfing. Crowd favourites during the long weekend can also include wine tours in the Yarra Valley and tours of the Royal Botanic Garden.
Family Gatherings and Food
Back again with the hot cross buns along with the traditional Easter roast, this long weekend is a suitable time for reuniting with family and friends. Whether you choose to stay at home for some backyard barbecue or take go out with everyone for a picnic or a couple of days camping, when people gather, food usually follows. Just make sure not to overindulge in your chocolate bilbies.
Travel with Ease with a Hire Car
Whether you’re visiting family over at the next town or heading out to the open for some camping and outdoor fun, you’d do it best with a hire car. As opposed to taking public transportation, driving yourself around will give you full control over your schedule and itinerary.
Alpha Car Hire has a massive fleet of vehicles to address all travel sizes and preferences, from compact cars to full-size family SUVs. Book a car with us today and enjoy unlimited kilometres, multiple payment options, price-match services, and other value add extras to make your trip easy and enjoyable. We have branches across Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Sydney; book your car with us today and make the most out of the Easter Weekend!