Father's Day lands on Sunday, 6 September this year. Early spring, and the first proper excuse of the season to get the whole family around the grill instead of huddled inside. There's no single right menu, but a few things turn up on Aussie grills every early September, and a couple of fire tools make your dad's Father's Day.
The Non-Negotiables
Lamb chops are about as close as Australia gets to a national default. Get them from a butcher if you want something really special. Alongside them: a proper snag from someone who makes their own or and a steak if the day calls for it. None of these are particularly complicated to make, which means it is perfect for a big group Barbie.
Go Coastal: Prawns on the Barbie
Depending on where you are, Father's Day might mean Prawns more than meat thrown on hot and pulled off fast before they go rubbery.
Beyond the Meat
The sides are where a Father's Day spread earns its keep: a proper salad, garlic bread, corn on the cob, a potato bake if someone's feeling ambitious. None of it needs to be complicated. It needs to be there, and it needs to be shared.
Food And Fire Are Not The Same Job
To us the Fire is central to Father's Day. That means you need the right tools for it. Help start it properly with The Blower. It creates precision airflow through an adjustable brass nozzle for coaxing a stubborn fire to life.
To bring coals that are fading fast back to life, the Paddle is your go-to. Trust us when we say it is better than standing around with an old pizza box. You also look so much cooler when holding the Paddle.
Handle the meat with a tong specifically designed for your food. That's exactly what the Donkey Tong 69cm is.
Manage the coals and wood with a tong built for fire. For that, you definitely need a Donkey Long Tong 80cm.
One Gift, Every Tool
If Fathers Day gifting ideas has you stumped, then the Jack Sack is what you need. It's a handmade leather bag that holds the full Donkey kit: both tongs, The Blower and The Paddle, in one adventure-ready bag.
Whatever's on the grill this Father's Day, get there with the right tools and more people than feels sensible. For the full gift shortlist, see our Best Father's Day BBQ Gifts in Australia 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Australians traditionally BBQ on Father's Day?Lamb chops, snags and steak are the local defaults, with prawns a strong coastal alternative. Father's Day falls in early spring in Australia, right as outdoor BBQ season is getting going again. |
When is Father's Day in Australia in 2026?Sunday, 6 September 2026. The first Sunday of September, as it is every year in Australia and New Zealand. |
What is the best meat to grill for Father's Day?It depends on the dad, but lamb and steak are the classic local go-tos. Prawns work well for a lighter, coastal-style spread. |
What sides go with an Aussie Father's Day BBQ?A proper salad, garlic bread, corn on the cob and a potato bake are the regulars. They're simple and built to feed a crowd. |
