What are Australian Boxing Day activities?

Apart from recovering from an excess of turkey, pudding and other substances, Australians have a few distinctive activities associated with Boxing Day.

The Boxing Day Test Match is held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and is between the Australian cricket team and the team that is touring Australia that summer. For many years, the test was held in Adelaide. Many Aussies attend or watch the live telecast of the match.

Also, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race begins, and this race is well known for the dangerous conditions often encountered. Deaths have occurred over the years.

In some of the capital cities, the annual post-Christmas sales begin, with crowds of shoppers rushing the doors at opening time.

Some families have their Christmas celebrations on the day, often in parks or on beaches.