Australia day in NSW: Customize your day from sunrise to sunset

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Communities throughout New South Wales are urged to unite on Australia Day 2024, participating in various events across the state. Sydney Harbour will be the focal point, hosting a series of free events from dawn to dusk, welcoming everyone to commemorate the day in their own way.

Presented by the NSW Government and the Australia Day Council of NSW, Sydney’s January 26 program launches a weekend of festivities. The day commences at dawn with the Sydney Opera House serving as the canvas for a poignant Aboriginal art display, followed by a smoking ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve.

Harbourfest, a day-long celebration featuring activities on sea, sky, and shore, takes center stage as the day progresses. The grand finale, the Australia Day Live concert on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, promises stellar performances by Australian artists, a breathtaking maritime show, and a dazzling fireworks display over Circular Quay (with limited free tickets available at 10:00 am).

Key highlights of the Australia Day in Sydney 2024 program include:

• Dawn Reflection: A moment to honor the Traditional Custodians with the Sydney Cove sunrise, featuring Aboriginal art on the Opera House sails, coinciding with the hoisting of the Australian National Flag and the Australian Aboriginal Flag on the Harbour Bridge.
• WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve: A moving event celebrating the Gadigal people through music, dance, language, storytelling, and ceremony, broadcast live on NITV and SBS On Demand.
• Australia Day Ferrython: A thrilling race on Emerald-Class ferries, with special guest invitees, including over 700 teachers from the NSW Department of Education.
• The Roulettes: A 13-minute aerobatic display by the Royal Australian Air Force over Sydney Harbour, featuring jaw-dropping maneuvers.
• The Great Aussie BBQ at Hickson Road Reserve: A multicultural twist on the classic sausage sizzle, raising funds for Rural Aid.
• Australia Day Live Concert: A spectacular free outdoor concert at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, broadcast live on ABC TV, featuring a star-studded lineup, acrobatics, and dazzling light displays.

Other events across the state, supported by Australia Day Ambassadors, will offer diverse activities, including the OzDay 10K Wheelchair Race, Maritime Mayhem, vintage bus rides, food stalls, and family-friendly zones. The Mega Kidz Zone at the Overseas Passenger Terminal will feature inflatable obstacles, mazes, a silent disco, and wheelchair basketball, ensuring entertainment for all ages. Limited free tickets for the Australia Day Live Concert can be obtained on January 18. The event is produced by the NSW Government and Australia Day Council of NSW in collaboration with Destination NSW and the National Australia Day Council.

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