Get online for Oz Day

Across most of the capital cities, there’s a forecast of rain on Australia Day. While we’re pretty sure that won’t dampen your patriotism, you might want stay inside and celebrate the nation with some of these online activities.

Here's hoping it doesn't rain.

See what it’s like across the country

If it’s raining outside and you have nothing to do, why not see what’s happening for other Australians?

Google Maps has a nice view of Australia, complete with the weather forecast and webcams to show you what’s going on across this big nation of ours.

Find out what it’s like across Australia…

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

I’ve heard simply awesome things about the Great Barrier Reef and I’ve yet to go. Sadly, there are probably loads of people just like me.

Also, I’m not big on snorkelling. I can’t seem to get the hang of floating. It might just be me.

What I can do is browse websites, and if it’s bad outside, it’s worth checking out Google’s World Wonders Project, which aims to connect Google’s Street View technology with 3D models, photos, and videos to turn amazing parts of the world into a digital online viewable thing that never disappears.

In Australia, the World Wonders project already includes The Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, Kakadu National Park, and Shark Bay, as well as the Great Barrier Reef, which you can explore without donning the oxygen tank.

Head to the Barrier Reef… digitally!

Teach yourself a new skill

Stuck inside for the day? No worries. Try teaching yourself something new.

Australian group Envato (operating out of Victoria) has been running a website for years called “Tuts+” which offers a whole bunch of tutorials to help get you more skills, or even bring those digital skills you already have up to speed.

You can find information on all sorts of things, from Photoshop to photography to making websites, apps for the iPhone, and even developing video games.

Check out Tuts+…

Play some Australian-made games

Australians create some pretty cool things, and if you’re keen to see some brilliant works made by Australians, check out any of the games below made by Australians.

LA Noire (Xbox 360, PS3, Windows PC)

Total War: Rome II (Windows PC)

escapeVektor (PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii)

Real Racing 2 / HD (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android)

Fruit Ninja (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Windows PC, Xbox 360)

Switch on Pandora’s Australia Day station

Australians can consider themselves pretty lucky, as they’re part of one of only three nations in the world with access to Pandora Internet Radio, a platform that’s attempting to replace radio by letting you define your own likes and dislikes to create the ultimate radio station.

On Australia Day, Pandora will be running its own online station loaded with Aussie music, so regardless of what you’re doing at home, you’ll be able to login with either a web browser or smartphone/tablet app, and listen in.

Listen to Pandora’s Australia Day station…