The Iglu Guide | Blog
Australian events every student should try once
Australia plays host to a packed calendar of events across the year with something to suit all tastes. If you’re studying here in Australia, there are some unmissable experiences that go hand in hand with living in this amazing country that every student should experience at least once. From comedy and sport through to arts and culture, these iconic events break up the academic routine, promote inclusivity and enrich your horizons. Here’s 11 of the best uniquely Aussie events that showcase Australia at her most diverse and entertaining self.
1. Vivid Sydney
This annual festival literally brings the city to light every winter. Running annually between May and June, it is the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas that has continued to grow and evolve in creativity since it first launched in 2010. Every year, the city is transformed by installations, soundscapes, light shows and more. Reflecting the themes of joy, connectivity and love, Vivid Sydney has expanded to include live music with Vivid Music, healthy debate with Vivid Ideas and delicious dining with Vivid Food. Start your journey at Iglu Central and make your way through the city without missing a thing. Wander through Circular Quay and see the spectacular light show playing out on the Opera House, explore the magical installations in the Botanical Gardens and absorb the intoxicating effects of light and music. Conceptually evolving every year, Vivid Sydney has become the absolute must-do winter event. Keep an eye out for details and tickets and make sure you don’t miss out.
2. F1 Grand Prix Melbourne
As if Melbourne needed any more glitz and glamour to add to her city credentials, along comes the F1 Grand Prix. Attracting record breaking crowds every year since it first moved over from neighbouring Adelaide in 1996, without fail this much-loved event brings awe and bustle to the city streets every March. From Iglu South Yarra, you’ll feel the energy and the sounds – it’s only 10 minutes’ drive away, or 30 minutes by foot. If you can’t snag a grandstand ticket to Albert Park, there’s plenty to keep you occupied and keep that engine running. The four-day schedule is jam-packed with practise laps, qualifiers and racing events, and once you’ve seen your favourite driver flash by you can explore all the rest. Browse the fantastic merch on offer, stalk the Melbourne Walk to catch a glimpse of the F1 crew heading to the track, and check out the Q&A sessions where you can get the piping hot tea straight from the pot. In between laps, you can enjoy some of the biggest names in music perform live as you soak up this unique Aussie F1 experience. This is bucket list material right there.
3. Splendour in the Grass Brisbane
This annual music festival has become a firm fixture in the Aussie student calendar, attracting high calibre artists and performers from around the world. Originally designed to prop up the lagging winter season, Splendour in the Grass is now considered Australia’s largest music festival and every July plays host to some of the biggest names in the industry. Think Lizzo, Coldplay, Kanye West and Lorde to name just a few. Ticketholders have the option to stay on site (with a separate camping ticket) or in nearby Byron Bay. Unsurprisingly, tickets are super quick to sell out, so keep your eyes on the prize and don’t miss out.
4. AFL Grand Final day Melbourne
Most Aussie students will be well aware of the nation’s sporting obsession, an enduring love affair that most specifically resonates with AFL. And even if you’re not quite sure how it all works, it’s hard not to get caught up in the passionate rivalries that exist between teams. The fiercely competitive AFL season runs between March and September, and culminates in Grand Final Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground – an event so highly anticipated it has even been awarded public holiday status! Tickets are traditionally in high demand, but fans around the country can tune in from home or enjoy the pub atmosphere to bring it all to life. Don’t miss the pre-match entertainment, or the post-match Grand Final parade where the winners get to lord their victory through the streets of Melbourne. This is quintessential Australia, and an unforgettable experience for all students to enjoy.
5. Christmas in July
Why wait a whole year between Christmases when you can have another in July? This southern hemisphere phenomenon is thought to have been introduced by the northern hemisphere crowd who found the Aussie summer just that bit too hot to spend the day stuffing food and rugging up for snowy temps. Today, Christmas in July is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, enjoy a hot meal and share terrible cracker jokes around the table. Increasingly popular and knowingly tongue in cheek, this event has become a great way to add some seasonally appropriate fun to the winter months. Ho ho ho!
6. Brisbane Riverfire
This fantastic multi-venue pyrotechnic extravaganza takes place along the Brisbane River every September. An integral part of the Brisbane Festival, Brisbane Riverfire uses the river as a stage to entertain, amaze and astound. Choreographed to an exciting soundtrack, the fireworks are launched from multiple venues such as bridges, barges and rooftops. Iglu Brisbane City students are in the middle of all the action. Head to South Bank and watch the display up close, or enjoy the view from nearby bars and restaurants. Such is the popularity of this fantastic event, it’s even broadcast live on Channel 9 so you can even enjoy it all from the comfort of your own sofa.
7. Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
There are certain rituals that come hand in hand with spending Christmas in Sydney, and one of those events involves jumping out of bed on Boxing Day and snagging a spot to watch the epic launch of the Sydney Hobart yacht race. One of the most respected and difficult boat races in the world, this race is quite unique in that it starts in a harbour, takes in a passage and finishes in a river. Join thousands of other eager Sydneysiders lining the clifftops and waterfronts as the boats gently jostle for space in the harbour waters, with impressive spinnakers filling the sea view. Just 48 hours and some 630 nautical miles later, the winner of this awesome event will pull into Hobart in time for New Year celebrations.
8. Boxing Day Test Melbourne
This annual cricket extravaganza is played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground every year and takes place over a 5-day period. Widely anticipated by the cricket community around the world, it is now a classic Aussie Christmas event for all sports-loving families. Every year the match features the Australian national cricket team versus any opposing national team touring the country that summer. All our Aussie players are proud to show off their legendary baggy green caps on the pitch in the first session, with every snag, hole or faded colouring an indication of seniority within the team. With almost 90,000 fans spectating each day, the atmosphere is electric. For those without a ticket, create your own fun and have your own backyard cricket match, with the big game on atmospherically in the background.
9. Melbourne Comedy Festival
Get your giggle fix at the annual Melbourne Comedy Festival between March and April, and spend 4 entire weeks laughing your socks off. As the largest stand-alone comedy festival in the world, it has become completely synonymous with the Melbourne cultural vibe and is an integral part of the Victorian arts calendar. Featuring thousands of award-winning comedians performing in pubs, clubs, theatres and bars around the city, the event also includes televised comedy debate, cabaret performances, street theatre and visual arts. Spot the next big thing or support your all-time favourite performer and get ready to LOL. This is what Melbourne living is all about.
10. New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Nothing says Happy New Year quite like the Sydney fireworks, and it is one of those iconic experiences that no student should miss out on. If you don’t fancy battling the city crowds to see the fabulous display launch off the Harbour Bridge, try watching it from a boat instead. And if you simply can’t face staying up until midnight at all, check out the 9pm sneak previews instead. Tailored for family viewing, they get the crowd revved up for the midnight event, which never fails to disappoint.
11. Aussie Open Melbourne
Melbourne is definitely home to a number of iconic sporting events, not least the annual tennis tournament that takes place every January. As the first of the 4 grand slam tournaments, the Australian Open kicks off the festivities in style. Think live music, fine foods, kids’ entertainment, miniature tennis courts and more. Watch the big shots slog it out on court, or hang out in the main event park with a ground pass ticket, and soak up the ambience with all the matches on big screens. The Aussie Open is synonymous with summertime vibes, and is definitely one experience not to be missed while studying in Australia.
