Top deals on Australia Day activities in Sydney
Australia Day – it's the day that commemorates when the First Fleet arrived in Port Jackson in 1788.
It's also a public holiday and in 2024 it falls on a Friday. The perfect excuse to take Friday off and have a long weekend? We think so.
If you're searching for ideas and activities to fill up this no-work, all-play day, we know a few.
Australia Day fireworks in Sydney
Ahead of the pyrotechnics display, fill the day with some of the many events listed below.
The fireworks fill the sky from 9pm in a 15-minute demonstration of pyrotechnics, a flotilla of yachts, and jet ski and flyboard prowess.
Vantage points include First Fleet Park, Hickson Road Reserve, Circular Quay East, Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney Opera House and from on the water.
Most events are free.
Fireworks vantage points | What's happening? | Time | Food and drink | Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney Harbour | Select Australia Day fireworks cruises will be on the water during the fireworks. This includes Fantasea Cruises and Vagabond Cruises (see below). | 7.30pm–9.30pm | Food and drink may be included | From $59 per person |
Sydney Opera House | The Australia Day Live concert at the Opera House features Australian artists, including Dami Im and Casey Donovan. | 7.30pm–9.30pm | Food and drink for sale | Free; tickets are required |
Hickson Road Reserve | Events run from 9am–6pm, including the Salute to Australia 11:30am–12:05pm. No events running during the fireworks. | N/A | N/A | Free |
Circular Quay restaurants | Graze MCA, Park Hyatt and The Squire's Landing are a few top spots where you can dine out and see the fireworks from your table. | Until close | Food and drink for sale | Varies |
Our top picks for Australia Day fireworks cruises
Australia Day 2024 events in Sydney
Event | Details | Location | Time | Cost | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dawn Reflection | Before the sun rises the sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit with a First Nations Artwork. | Sydney Opera House | 5:20am–5:40am | Free | More info |
WugulOra Indigenous Morning Ceremony | A smoking ceremony clears the way for new beginnings while song and dance celebrates the original custodians of the land and over 65,000 years of history. | Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve | 7:30am–8:30am | Free | More info |
Yabun Festival | Yabun Festival is the largest 1-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Australia. Attend in person or see what's happening at the Yabun Stage, Corroboree and Speak Out via Yabun.org.au. You can listen at Koori Radio 93.7fm or via the Koori Radio app. | Victoria Park, Broadway | 10am–6pm | Free | More info |
Australia Day Live at the Sydney Opera House | Each Australia Day, the Opera House hosts an Australia Day concert in its forecourt. A stellar line-up of true blue Australian musical acts will take the stage to belt out beloved hits, accompanied by a full orchestra. | Sydney Opera House | 7:30pm–9.30pm | Free (ticketed) | More info |
Australia Day Address and Family Fun Fair | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
GIO Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Road Race | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
188th Australia Day Regatta | open to every type of vessel from ocean racers and classic gaff-riggers to radio-controlled yachts and historic skiffs. This event gives sailors across NSW the opportunity to enjoy friendly sporting competition on the world's most beautiful waterways. Open to people of all ages and abilities. | Sydney Harbour | TBC | TBC | More info |
Salute to Australia | TBC | TBC | TBCm | TBC | More info |
Sydney Harbour Splash | Back for its 8th year, the iconic swims start at Rose Bay and follow the coastline giving participants stunning views to the Harbour Bridge. The harbour provides predictable conditions for the open water first-timers and gives the competitive ones a chance to have a good crack at their PBs. | Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour | 6am–11am | Tickets from $55 | More info |
Australia Day @ the House | Fancy a picnic at one of the most picturesque settings with stunning gardens and a view of Sydney Harbour? Here's your chance. | Government House | 12:00 PM - 06:00 PM | Free access | More info |
Family Fun with Surf Life Saving Australia | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
Vintage Bus Ride | Ride a 1949 vintage double-decker over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and back. Bus rides start at Macquarie Street and head to North Sydney and back with no stops. | Circular Quay and North Sydney | 10:30am–5:30pm | Donation to ride | More info |
Australia Day Ferrython | Ferrython is back for another Australia Day – and this year, the ferries will be racing faster than ever! | Sydney Harbour Bridge | 12:05pm - 12:30pm | Free access | More info |
Australia Day at The Rocks | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
Navy Helicopter flag display | Glance skyward to see the powerful Seahawk chopper tow a giant Australian flag in an aerial celebration of the spirit of our nation. | Sydney Harbour | 12pm–1.30pm | Free | More info |
Australia Day at Darling Harbour | Enjoy family fun activities and grab a bite to eat during the day before watching the Australia Day Live concert on the big screen in the evening. | Darling Harbour | 12pm–9:30pm | Free | More info |
Maritime Mayhem | Described as a monster truck race on water, watch jet skis perform stunts and tricks, a tug handling display and finally an all-out showcase of manoeuvrability performed to a soundtrack. | Circular Quay | 12:15pm–12:25pm | Free | More info |
Australia Day Harbour Parade | This annual tradition sees boats and crews parade in their Australia Day finest as they challenge other vessels for best dressed and other prizes. | Sydney Harbour | 11:30pm–2:00pm | Free | More info |
Tall Ships Race | A fleet of historic and charter ships will race from Bradley's Head to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's a sight to see. | Bradley's Head to Sydney Harbour Bridge | 1pm–1:30pm | Free | More info |
Working Harbour Festival | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
Sydney Lord Mayor's Citizenship Ceremony | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | More info |
Things to do on Australia Day in Sydney
Australia Day harbour cruises
The best seat in the house is on the water. Lucky for you, there are stacks of cruises throughout the day as well as at night to catch the fireworks from this prime position.
Sydney Harbour Sightseeing Cruise
RedBalloon
Parramatta River Cruise
Tripadvisor
Sydney Harbour Luxury Sailing Trip including Lunch
Tripadvisor
Head to the beach
The most Aussie thing you can do on Australia Day is hit the sand and the surf. Some may be crowded, so you may have to hone in on quieter beaches if you wish to lay down your towel with room to spare.
Otherwise, why not get on the water? Watersports such as stand up paddleboarding and kayaking are heaps of fun.
Single Kayak Hire in Manly
RedBalloon
Double Kayak Hire in Manly
Adrenaline
Enjoy the sunshine with a picnic
Fire up that barbie at your local park or pack a gourmet meal for you and your loved ones on the green today. It's super relaxing and a great way to catch up with mates or pop the question, if that's your game.
Italian-style Picnic for 2
RedBalloon
Adventure Picnic by the Sea in Manly
Groupon
Go to the movies
Summer and movies go hand in hand. For something extra special, why not check out an outdoor cinema or drive-in? Westpac Open Air and Moonlight Cinemas both run over the summer period.
This year's Westpac Australia Day showcase is Elvis, while Moonlight Cinema is showing The Banshees of Inisherin.
Alternatively, why not try something a little different and visit the opera? The Sydney Opera House offers fantastic views of the harbour. This year Velvet Rewired, led by Marcia Hines, is showing at 7:30pm.
Retro Drive-In Movie
RedBalloon
Check out a festival
Festival season is here and with it are stacks of arts and cultural events that you can tuck into. Our picks include Yabun Festival, which is the largest 1-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and Sydney Festival, which is an arts festival filled with themed events and productions.
Top free things to do on Australia Day
- Host a barbecue. Pick up some snags and a couple of 6-packs and invite your mates over.
- Bake on the beach. Australia Day is notorious for being one big swelter fest. The best way to cool down? At the beach, naturally.
- Catch the Sydney Harbour fireworks. When it comes to pyrotechnical displays, Sydney doesn’t hold back. So for a crackin’ good end to an awesome day out, flick on the TV and catch the action at 9pm.
- Visit an art gallery or museum. Art galleries and museums don't tend to close on Australia Day. The Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian Museum are a handful of options in the city that have free entry on 26 January.
What's open on Australia Day in Sydney?
Attraction | Australia Day trading hours | Where to book advance tickets |
---|---|---|
Blue Mountains Day Trip Including Parramatta River Cruise | All day | Tripadvisor |
Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney | 730am–730pm | Tripadvisor |
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium | 10am–4pm | Klook |
Jet Boat Tours | 10am–3pm | Adrenaline |
Tandem Skydiving | All day | Experience Oz |
Virtual Room Sydney | 10am–9pm | Amazed |
Escape Hunt | 10am–8.30pm | Entertainment |
TreeTop Adventure Park | 7am–7pm | Adrenaline |
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo | 10am–4pm | RedBalloon |
Taronga Zoo | 9:30am–5pm | Entertainment |
Sydney Opera House – guided tours | 10:30am, 12pm and 2pm | Viator |
Are shops open on Australia Day in Sydney?
Here are the major shopping centres that are typically open on the Australia Day public holiday (26 January) and their trading hours.
- Westfield Sydney (Pitt Street Mall): 9:30am–9pm
- Westfield Bondi Junction: 10am–6pm
- Broadway Shopping Centre: 10am–9pm
- Westfield Warringah Mall: 10am–5pm
- Supa Centa Moore Park: 10am–5pm
- Westfield Miranda: 9am–6pm
- Chatswood Chase: 9:30am–9pm
- Westfield Chatswood: 9:30am–9pm
- Macquarie Centre: 9:30am–9pm
- Westfield Parramatta: 10am–6pm
Individual store opening times may vary.
See the latest deals for things to do on Australia Day
Up to 63% off Sydney dining experiences
Ends
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5% off select activities with code FDEXOZ300
Available on activities like hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, passes to attractions including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $300 is required. T&Cs apply.
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New Year's Eve Cruise in Sydney Harbour with buffet and bar from $950
Enjoy your New Year's Eve at Cruise in Sydney Harbour with a buffet and bar from $950 at RedBalloon. It includes a six-hour cruise on Sydney Harbour, a delicious five-course buffet dinner with seafood, a premium open bar including spirits, and more. T&Cs apply.
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Ends
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Member Price: 10% off or more on over 100,000 hotels
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Available on select travel dates until 2024, including Easter and school holidays. Activities include whale- and dolphin-watching and lunch and sunset cruises in Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Kid-friendly activities in Sydney starting at $1
Applies to selected Sydney tours, packages, entries and activities on offer at RedBalloon. T&Cs apply.
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Available on select dates in 2024 in locations across Australia such as Canberra, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Sydney: Award-Winning Virtual Reality Escape Room Experience from $59
Available for booking until 31 July 2024. T&Cs apply.
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Sign up with your email address and unlock Sneaky Saver deals. Activities include day tours, attraction passes and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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