Things That Are Always Happening Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. On New Year's Eve, Sydney is one of THE most iconic cities in the world to party and belt out 'Auld Lang Syne'. Which landmark is the centrepiece of the party?

Answer: Sydney Harbour Bridge

There are usually two breathtaking fireworks displays, one at 9pm, so that the youngsters can see it before they go to sleep, and the other at midnight. Every vantage point around the Harbour is usually taken many hours before the show, and more than a million people watch it live, with hundreds of millions watching it on televisions around the world.

Celebrations take place at many other locations, including Bondi Beach and Parramatta, but are much more modest affairs. The Three Sisters is a rock formation in the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba.

2. The Royal Queensland Show is Queensland's major festival and it is held in Brisbane in August each year. What is this festival's more popular name?

Answer: Ekka

Over 400 000 people over 10 days flock to the Ekka (short for exhibition) at Brisbane Exhibition Ground to visit exhibits, sporting events and carnival rides. People who live in Brisbane get a public holiday on the seventh day of the show (usually a Wednesday). This public holiday is called "People's Day".

3. WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) is an international arts festival and each March it is held in Australia. Which Australian festival city hosts this acclaimed event?

Answer: Adelaide

WOMADelaide first occurred at Botanic Park, Central Adelaide in 1992, and has been an annual festival since 2003. WOMAD was founded in 1980 by Peter Gabriel (with others) and occurs in selected locations throughout the world. Artists who have performed at WOMADelaide include Jimmy Cliff, Xavier Rudd, Crowded House and Midnight Oil.

4. ANZAC Day, 25th April, is a very important day for Australians and New Zealanders. This is the day where we honour those who fought and served in war since World War One. Australia celebrations include Dawn Services, Parades, the only day legally Two Up can be played, and generally being with your mates. What was the battle that ANZAC celebrations emerged from?

Answer: Gallipoli

ANZAC Day was chosen because 25th April was the first date that Australian forces were involved in a World War I campaign at Gallipoli. There was a huge loss of life with the British having the heaviest casualties. Australia's loss of life was 2,721 young men. Legends were made such as Simpson and his donkey.

5. The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is part of the World Championship F1 Races and is held in March in Albert Park, an inner suburb of Melbourne. The backdrop for the race is Albert Park Lake. Originally the Australian Grand Prix was in another city for 10 years from 1985 to 1995. Which city was it?

Answer: Adelaide

The street circuit of Adelaide was a popular course even though it was a challenge for the drivers, with 16 turns in 3.78 km of track. Damon Hill holds the fastest lap record.

6. The Sydney Royal Easter Show takes up almost two weeks, including the Easter holidays, and is a chance for the country to come to the city. What sport, invented as a result of a bet between two Tasmanians in 1870, is one of the features of the Show?

Answer: Woodchopping

The Easter Show events are considered as the most prestigious in the world of woodchop, with many different classes contested, from tree-felling to crosscut sawing, husband/wife teams and the standing block events.

Horses, sheep, pigs, cows, dogs, cats, poultry and even alpacas are primped, preened and polished for the judges and the millions of visitors. Sideshow Alley and showbags, stunt car drivers, lots of weird and wacky food and dozens of other attractions make for a great day out.

7. Since the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860, camels have roamed as wild animals in Australia, so it only became a matter of time before the Australian Outback started hosting Camel Races. These races are held in outback towns such as Alice Springs, Winton and Boulia. The biggest races are in Boulia every July. Which state is Boulia in?

Answer: Queensland

Boulia, a tiny town of 200 people (which swells to several thousand during the races) in Central West Queensland, hosts "Boulia Desert Sands Camel Races" which has the richest prize money in camel racing in Australia.

There are no camels or "outback" in Victoria or Tasmania, and the Northern Territory is not a state.

8. One of Australia's main sporting events, held in late September or early October, is the Grand Final of the Australian Football League. Which Australian stadium (also the main venue for the 1956 Olympic Games) hosts this sporting spectacular?

Answer: Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (referred to as 'The G' by locals) is Australia's largest outdoor sporting venue. Until the 1970s, the ground regularly attracted crowds of 120,000 to major events, such as the Boxing Day Test cricket games and Australian Rules Final series. With the progressive modernisation of the stadium it seats around 95,000, with a total capacity of about 105,000 in the 2010s.

9. Every September for a month, to celebrate spring a particular Australian city hosts "Floriade", which is essentially a flower and entertainment festival. In which capital city is Floriade held each year?

Answer: Canberra

Floriade is derived from "Floriat", a Latin word for design with flowers. Floriade started in 1988 as a project to celebrate Australia's Bi-centenary and Canberra 75th Birthday in 1988. Because it was so popular it became an annual event. Each year in Commonwealth Park, there are masses of floral display and other related entertainment events.

10. Melbourne is known for its horse racing carnivals, especially with the Melbourne Cup, which is known as "the race that stops the nation", held on the first Tuesday of November. There are many other city and country races but which picnic races are held on New Year's Day?

Answer: Hanging Rock Picnic Races

Hanging Rock Picnic Races started in the 1880s on New Year's Day and have been held since then. The meeting became very popular after the release in the 1970s of the movie "Picnic at Hanging Rock". Hanging Rock is located in the Macedon Ranges in central Victoria and is a magnet for those wanting to do bush walking, rock climbing, picnics and the area has abundant flora and fauna. Definitely worth a visit.

Source: Author ozzz2002

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Join the Kangaroos and Convicts as we take a wander through the Australian calendar.

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