A Guide to Celebrating Australia Day 2013 in Newcastle

Dating back to 1834, the National Maritime Festival has long been about representing our connection to the sea. Today the festival has evolved into one of the largest Maritime events in Australia, and spreads over Newcastle Foreshore, Queen's Wharf and Foreshore Park. There will be a range of activities throughout the day for the whole family to enjoy such as a free port tour, car displays outside Customs House, heritage train Newcastle Flyer will be visiting from Sydney plus some war cries from Fort Scratchley with the guns being fired periodically. For a timetable and entertainment schedule, visit the National Maritime Festival website.

The 19th Annual Harbour swim is back for some good 'ol Australia Day competitiveness. The social swim will start at Stockton Ferry Wharf at 8am and end at the Newcastle Wharf. The open swim will start at 8.30am from the Newcastle side, swimming over to Stockton, around the buoy and then finishing at the Newcastle Wharf. Swimmers come from around Australia to partake in this tradition, so come along and watch or take up the challenge. For entry forms, visit the website listed above.

If you live a little further out of town, why not stop by the Lake Macquarie Festival. The Farmers Markets start the day off at 8am, followed by a screening of acclaimed Aussie film Red Dog at 11am. There will be loads of amusement rides, Scout canoe race and a range of local music talent. At night there will be a concert featuring Chris Sebastian and Adam Eckersley, and Australia Day is not complete without fireworks at 9pm.

Feel like having a more relaxed Australia Day looking at our history? Why not visit Miss Porter's House between 1pm-4pm, and for a gold coin donation, you can look at some amazing Aussie household objects spanning over a century. These include kitchenware, dining ware, clothes, furniture and the free-standing Georgian terrace house itself.

The late 70s and 80s brought about the heavy guitar sounds, big hair, the tats and bandanas. Tonight the memories will come flooding back with this Aussie Rock Revival which is all about hard rock with passion. Re-live some of the greatest rock songs of all time such as hits from AC/DC and INXS. Doors open 7.30pm, starts 8pm. Members $5, Guests $10. There will also be a raffle and Free BBQ during the day. Visit their website for details.

Get ready for a day of drinking and celebration! Ana Binji will start the festivities at 2pm in the hotel beer garden before Wicko faves Dave & the Demons kick on from 5pm. The fun will then move inside to the front bar where Half Nelson jump start the beats before Freebird headline. Freebird is the latest incarnation from Screaming Jet founder Grant Walmsley and will combine some rocking blues with soul. This celebration should be on the calendar for any pub music lovers.

Have you always wanted to just wear thongs and a singlet into a bar but dress code won't let you? Well here is your chance to break free and get in your beach gear! There will be a Hottest 100 BBQ from 12pm with the real fun beginning with the Rad Beach Party at 7pm. There will loads of performers to get you dancing the night away, including No Second Chances, Hazards, Waterview, Downside, Setbacks and an acoustic stage in the beer garden with Jen Buxton, Feffy, Matt Lydo, and Ella & Andy. $6 Pina Coladas should ensure an interesting Sunday morning. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Only have time to party at night? Head on in to King Street Hotel to hear club favourites Aston Shuffle play some sick tunes. Open from 9pm, normal dress code applies (sorry boys).

Want to soak up some of the Maritime Festival action but have your dancing shoes on at the same time? Head in to The Brewery where there will be music playing from 2pm. Gen-R-8, DJ Ules, Chester Darvey and DJ Strex will be entertaining you while you get drinking.