Australia Day in Sydney

Our oldest continuous culture

As the sun rises, connect with the world’s oldest living culture as First Nations artwork is projected on the Sydney Opera House and flags are raised on the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Dawn Reflection. This event will take place from 5:20am to 5:40am, with the best vantage point for viewing the illumination being from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks.

This is followed by a cultural acknowledgement to our Indigenous past with the moving WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo, honouring the world’s oldest living culture. The ceremony will take place from 7:30am to 8:30am. 

WugulOra Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo - Credit: WugulOra Morning Ceremony

On the water

Australia Day Harbourfest is an exciting lineup of free events and activities taking place on, above and around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay. The all-day event includes the Royal Air Force Roulettes' aerial display. Find the best viewing spots around Circular Quay, Hickson Road Reserve, Dawes Point Reserve, or the Sydney Opera House to catch all the action. You can also enjoy the festivities from the Cahill Expressway Walkway or the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Midday kicks off with a stirring 21-gun salute, followed by the breathtaking aerial acrobatics of the Roulettes dancing across the sky. The Ferrython, a crowd favourite, sees our iconic ferry fleet racing at double speed for line honours, while Maritime Mayhem entertains with thrilling stunts and tricks.

Around the harbour, the Australia Day Regatta, Tall Ships Race, Harbour Parade, and Working Harbour Display celebrate our maritime heritage.

Harbourfest, Sydney Harbour - Credit: Harbourfest

Family-friendly fun

Darling Harbour is a fantastic hive of activity for families on Australia Day, when it transforms into a summer playground. This year's line-up encompasses pedal boat rides on the harbour, putt putt, a Kids Electric Train, a water playground and countless places to eat and drink. 

Ferrython

Australia Day in Sydney’s access and inclusion program considers physical, cognitive, and sensory disability. This includes considerations to wheelchair users, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or low vision, short-statured, or neuro-diverse and people who have chronic illness, intellectual disability or psychosocial conditions or temporary injury or illness.

The accessibility and inclusion map details shows where to find these elements of the program.

In one of the oldest parts of Sydney, The Rocks, the annual and popular Australia Day street party kicks off with a vibrant carnival atmosphere. The historic cobblestone streets are overrun with market stalls brimming with local fashion, jewellery and crafts; gourmet food stalls and live music.

Australia Day in the Rocks

On the Vintage Bus Ride — run annually on Australia Day by the Sydney Bus Museum from morning until 5pm — all ages will have a ball travelling like it’s 1949 on a double-decker vintage bus from the bottom of Macquarie St near the Sydney Opera House to North Sydney and back. The annual Oz Day 10K wheelchair race will spin through The Rocks, and the Overseas Passenger Terminal has plenty of fun and free activities for the young at heart. Get ready for a Mega Kidz Zone, a silent disco, street food and lots more.

Join Sydney locals and head to the beach for a barbecue picnic. You could take a hamper full of goodies to a harbour cove or fry up on one of the beautiful eastern beaches like Coogee or Bondi. Alternatively, Government House opens up its staterooms and gardens for the day, making a great place for a long lunch with live music.

Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Concerts & festivals

In the evening, Australia Day Live kicks off at 7.30pm and showcases some of Australia’s best-loved performers. While the event is free, it’s ticketed. Held on the forecourt of Sydney Opera House with the iconic sails in the background and the harbour beyond — this is a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. Limited free tickets for the seated area within the Sydney Opera House forecourt will be made available in mid-January 2025 and notified on the Australia Day Live page. If you miss out on a ticket to the Forecourt you can still join the party around Circular Quay to watch the concert on large digital screens with a front row view of the amazing choreographed fireworks or watch the broadcast from 7.30pm to 9.30pm or ABC TV and ABC iview. 

Australia Day Live, Sydney Opera House - Credit: Australia Day Live

Australia Day also falls on the final day of the Sydney Festival — a vibrant cultural celebration that boasts theatrical performances, dance, cabaret, music and big ideas. Check out the website to see what performances or events might be scheduled for Australia Day.

Australia Day Live fireworks, Sydney - Credit: Australia Day Live