Elementary school students show their paper-cutting works. Approximately 50 Australian elementary school students from the elite Mosman Preparatory School began to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in Sydney on Feb 3. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]

Australian lunar new year celebrations are picking up pace as returning school students attend cultural centers in an effort to learn about China's lunar traditions.

Though official celebrations are due to kick off with the beat of drums on top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday evening, the city's China Cultural Center has opened its doors for locals to get ready to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.

Approximately 50 Australian elementary school students from the elite Mosman Preparatory School began to celebrate the Year of the Monkey in Sydney on Feb 3, donning traditional dress and creating art works as they learned about Chinese culture.