The Melbourne Cup is known as ‘the race that stops a nation’.  On the first Tuesday in November, Australians all over the country stop what they’re doing to listen to or watch the race, and almost everyone has a flutter.  The horse racing is sometimes overshadowed, though, but the huge hats, trackside fashions and party atmosphere of the day.

The Sydney to Hobart is an Australian fixture – starting on Boxing Day, teams from all around Australia and the rest of the world sail from Sydney on Australia’s east coast to Hobart, Tasmania.  With the fierce competition, the difficult voyage and occasionally dangerous conditions, the Sydney to Hobart is a gripping event.

The annual Australian Football League Grand Final can truly call itself the biggest sporting event in Australia.  While Aussie Rules can remain a mystery to many visitors, it is arguably Australia’s favourite sport.  The last Saturday in September is the day of truth for AFL fans, with thousands flocking every year to see the game at Melbourne’s MCG, or staying home to watch the telecast.

The National Rugby League is the top league of rugby league football clubs in Australia and, despite the term ‘national’, also includes one club from New Zealand.  NRL has its main following in the Eastern states of Australia, where matches are played throughout the season culminating in the grand final in autumn.

State of Origin Rugby is a best-of-three series of games between Queensland (the maroons) and New South Wales (the blues).  Attracting a big following in the eastern states, the series is one of the hardest fought in Australia, and the results are surprisingly even, creating an intense rivalry and a great atmosphere for the games.

The Ashes series is international cricket’s most serious rivalry.  The series consists of 5 test matches, played either in England or Australia.  The term ‘The Ashes’ originated in 1882 when, after Australia defeated England at the Oval in London, The Sporting Times printed an obituary to ‘English Cricket’ and stated that ‘the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia’.

The Melbourne Grand Prix is the first round of the Championship, as it has been since the event moved from Adelaide to Melbourne.  During the years in which the event was held in Adelaide, it was the last round in the Championship, making for many memorable and exciting events, and it’s still a must-see on any racing calendar.

The Hopman Cup takes place every year in Perth, with tennis players from all over the world attending.  The Hopman Cup is a combined tournament, with men and women players teaming up, and players are invited to attend, rather than coaches selecting teams.  Starting in late December or early January, the Hopman Cup is an exciting start to the tennis year.

The Tour Down Under is the only cycling tour outside of Europe to be awarded UCI pro tour status, so it’s no wonder that international cyclists flock to South Australia every January for the event.  The cycling is not the only attraction, as the towns along the way put on festivals and entertainment to complement the sporting action.

The Australian Swimming Championships, held annually in Sydney, is Australia’s top domestic swimming competition.  As well as involving Australia’s elite swimmers, the event doubles as a selection for international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games, making it the event to watch for any fan of swimming.