Feast Safely This Australia Day - Have fun and be Food Safe!

Published on 21 January 2026

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Throwing an Australia Day party? It’s all about good vibes, great food, and making memories - but let’s not forget food safety! With a little planning and some simple tips, you can keep your guests happy, healthy, and raving about your party for all the right reasons.

We’ve got you covered with top tips for planning ahead and dealing with leftovers safely.

Plan Ahead

Preparation is the key to a stress-free party! Here’s how to get ahead:

  • Make space: Clear out your fridge and freezer to fit all the extra food and drinks.
  • Cool drinks, not your fridge: Use an esky for drinks to keep your fridge cool and spacious for food, this will also help keep the fridge at a more stable temperature.
  • Defrost like a boss: Move meat from the freezer to the fridge well in advance. Never defrost meat or chicken on the kitchen bench – the fridge is your safe zone!

Party Day Prep - Keep Calm and Cook On

Stay cool with these tips:

  • Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to prep starters, salads, and snacks. Don’t be afraid to ask for help - teamwork makes the dream work!
  • Avoid cross-contamination: Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw meat and ready-to-eat foods.
  • No need to rinse: Don’t wash meat or poultry - cooking will kill bacteria, and rinsing just spreads germs.
  • Fridge stacking 101: Keep ready-to-eat foods on top and raw foods at the bottom to avoid drips and contamination.
  • Wash your hands: Before prepping food and after handling raw meat - it’s a must!

Leftovers Done Right

Let’s face it, no Aussie Day party is complete without leftovers. Here’s how to handle them safely to avoid food poisoning:

  • Straight to the fridge: Pop leftovers in the fridge immediately - don’t leave them out to cool.
  • Know the danger zone: Toss any food left out between 5°C and 60°C for more than four hours.
  • Don’t push your luck: Eat leftovers within a few days or freeze them for up to a month.

With these tips in your back pocket, you’re all set to host a cracker of an Australia Day party! So fire up the barbie, grab your thongs, and let’s make this a celebration to remember!

Click the link to find out what’s happening in your town this Australia Day: maranoa.co/AustraliaDay

For more information, please call Council on 1300 007 662. 

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