What is Australia Day? Where to celebrate in the UAE, plus raise funds for bushfire relief

Australia Day is the official national day celebration of Australia and is marked annually on January 26. The day commemorates the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788.

his year, however, with the nation suffering from the impact of some of its most devastating bushfires yet, UAE venues have turned this into an opportunity to raise funds for charity.

Due to the bushfires, some events have been cancelled or postponed, such as the Australian Business Council Dubai's annual Australia Day Ball, but here's where and how you can still join in on the day.

A day-to-night bushfire relief event is being held at this Dubai beach club to mark Australia Day. The day begins at 2pm on Sunday, January 26, and punters can expect an Australian-themed barbecue, live music, raffle draws, live and silent auctions, fairground games, face-painting, plus all-day pool and beach access. It is being held in association with Australian Business Council Dubai, The Benton Group, X Dubai and Skydive Dubai. Tickets for adults are Dh100, including the barbecue and two raffle tickets. For children, it's Dh50, with access to the barbecue and one raffle ticket. It's free entry for children under 12 years old. All proceeds from tickets and beverages will be donated to the Australian Bushfire Relief effort via Emirates Red Crescent and the Australian Red Cross.

The sports bar in Marriott Hotel Al Forsan is serving Australian specialities until Sunday. From 6pm to midnight, enjoy classics such as Vegemite and mushrooms on toast, barbecue snags with traditional meats, plus lamingtons. A computer has been set up in the venue, offering guests access to an official fundraising portal, created in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund. Donations can be made towards Wildlife Response, Habitat Restoration and Future Proofing Australia.

The Australian restaurant on Palm Jumeirah has established a campaign in conjunction with Emirates Nature-WWF and YallaGive, allowing UAE residents a way to support bushfire relief. Customers can donate through the venue's official website and money raised will be transferred directly to the charity, which will use the funds "to care for injured wildlife, and when the fires clear, they will help restore the forest homes of koalas and other animals". As an added bonus, anyone who makes a minimum donation of Dh200 will be rewarded with a voucher for a meal at any Bull & Roo restaurant in Dubai. This includes Bidi Bondi, The Sum of Us, Brunswick Eatery, Bar & Terrace, Tom&Serg and Common Grounds.

If you're travelling this week, it's good to know that the national airline of Dubai is donating 10 per cent of all EmiratesRED sales on flights until Sunday, February 16 to the recovery efforts taking place in communities affected across Australia. Emirates operates 77 flights a week to Australia and, at the moment, the airline is also waiving flight change fees for Australia residents who have been affected by the bushfires. This applies to all residents travelling to or from the country.