ARTICLE
How to throw the best Barbecue on the block this Father’s Day
Published Aug 25, 2026 • Updated Aug 27, 2026 - 5 min read
For host the Best Fathers Day Barbecue, the best picks depend on budget, recipient and everyday usefulness. This guide rounds up the strongest options and shows how to choose the right fit for the person you are buying for.
Key takeaways from this article
Choose a BBQ that suits your space, from full-size gas to compact electric grills.
Build the menu around three meat options, or mix in fish for variety.
Keep drinks chilled with a wine cellar or chest freezer so the ice never runs out.
Set the mood with a playlist, Bluetooth speaker or outdoor projector.
Pick a practical gift like a fitness tracker, dash cam or massage pillow.
What makes a banging Father’s Day barbie? Perfectly grilled meat. Chilled bevvies. A relaxed vibe and feel-good tunes; perhaps some fun lawn games to play while waiting on the food. Plus a sworn oath to avoid those twin barbecue sins (running out of ice or gas!). Whether you crown dear old Dad master of ceremonies – or give him a break and take over the tongs yourself – we’ve scoped all the essential ingredients, best gift and recipe ideas, and barbecue and outdoor cooking appliances to make him the envy of the block this Father’s Day.
Check out our Father’s Day Hub for all your gift idea inspo!
Meat the star of the show
Swap “been there, done that” beef burgers for some jazzier options. What about lamb and beetroot patties, grilled gourmet pizzas (a hot barbecue trend, we hear), or melt-in-your-mouth brisket? Pull out the stops and get saucy with marinades and ribs. Whatever you decide, the perfect Father’s Day barbecue algorithm is three meat choices. Or fish for compliments by swapping one of the meats for a platter of seared spicy tuna or salmon steaks.
Shop must-have Barbecues
Bourbon whiskey cola braised pork belly for Dad
Dad will go nuts for this aromatic pork-belly dish that’s slow-braised on the Weber Family Q natural gas barbecue in a sweet and savoury liquid, then grilled at the end for caramelisation and depth of flavour. Be sure to save that braising liquid. It’s incredible when reduced to a thick serving sauce to finish the dish.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Recipe by Laura Romeo for Weber Barbecues Australia and New Zealand
Ingredients:
1kg skin-on pork belly rashers (2cm thick)
1x 375mL can Bourbon Whiskey & Cola
8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¼ cup kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
4 star-anise pods
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Spring onion, finely sliced, to garnish
Method:
Prepare your barbecue for indirect cooking over medium heat (190°–230°C). Set up your appliance with a convection tray and a roasting trivet.
In a large frying pan, add the pork belly, Bourbon & Cola, garlic, kecap manis, fish sauce, star anise and chilli flakes. With a silicone spoon, incorporate the ingredients and ensure the pork belly is submerged.
Place the frying pan onto the trivet and cook over indirect medium heat for 2 hours, or until the pork belly has started to become tender.
Once the pork belly has cooked for 2 hours, remove the pork from the frying pan, leaving the juices behind. Using heatproof gloves, remove the convection tray and trivet from the barbecue. Prepare the barbecue for direct cooking over medium-high heat (210°–250°C).
Return the frying pan to the barbecue. Simmer the sauce in the frying pan over direct medium-high heat for 15 minutes or until thickened. Lightly coat the pork belly slices with olive oil and grill over direct medium-high heat for 2 minutes each side, or until grill marks appear.
Garnish the pork belly with spring onion, and finish with the reduced braising liquid.
Keep drinks cold!
Nothing kills a barbecue buzz faster than warm drinks. No chance of that with a wine fridge or bar fridge keeping everything perfectly chilled and ready to grab!
Shop Bar Fridges & Wine Cabinets
“"What makes a banging Father’s Day barbie? Perfectly grilled meat. Chilled bevvies. Plus a sworn oath to avoid those twin barbecue sins (running out of ice or gas!)."
”
Bring On The Entertainment
Put a smile on dad’s dial by making a playlist of old ‘Dad car jams’ from when you were kids. Unleash them on your portable Bluetooth speakers (use voice control to change tracks without interrupting tong-duty). Or if Dad’s a sports hound, set up a portable projector on your patio and let him watch the game while you eat “just this once”!
Shop outdoor entertainment
The Clean-Up Operation
Clean up your act by taking good care of your barbecue afterwards (you’ll be glad next time you use it). Invest in a good weatherproof cover, and stockpile barbecue cleaning essentials, such as grill brushes, tough wipes and exterior sprays.
Shop BBQ accessories
You’ll find everything you need to treat Dad to an unbeatable barbecue this Father’s Day at The Good Guys. Visit us in-store or online to explore a huge range of barbecue and outdoor cooking appliances. And check out our other Father’s Day gift guides for more expert picks.
