Like most Australian's who celebrate our special day, we'll probably do the obligatory trek to the beach.

And why not when the mercury's forecast to tip 41C (106F) - it's not like I'm going to be doing a lot of gardening today. I might even take some of my plants down for a swim just to cool off.

It's a weird celebration, really. Weird in the sense that while I guess we should feel patriotic about our nation, culturally we're apathetic and thankful for the extra day off.

Sure, we'll embellish our car with a $2 tacky Aussie flag that was made in China. We'll put away the Stella Artois and reach for a Carlton Crown, and we might even turn on the telly to see the Harbour Bridge ablaze with fireworks.

But despite the government's incessant drive to make Australia Day an art and cultural feast, unless they start doing these things at the beach - we probably won't make it.

Happy Australia Day!