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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives and high teas. T&Cs apply.
Available on hot air balloon flights, skydiving, lunch cruises, jet boat rides and attraction passes on Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, SkyPoint Observation Deck, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and more. Minimum spend of $350 is required. T&Cs apply.
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.
Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours and getaways. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates across Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and more. Activities include day tours, zoo and animal interactions, tandem skydives, hot air balloon flights and jet boat rides.
Available for travel on select dates and locations at TripAdvisor. Experience activities like land adventures, wine tours, water sports, and more T&Cs apply.
Save more and get access to 2, 3, or 4 activities with this one pass. Sydney Zoo Admission Ticket, Taronga Zoo Sydney General Entry Ticket, Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Adventure, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Ticket and more. T&Cs apply.
Available for travel on select dates across Australia at Expedia. Destinations include Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates until 2023, 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.
Cirque du Soleil Crystal with Premium Fan Experience tickets from $269 per person
Grab the Cirque du Soleil Crystal with Premium Fan Experience tickets at Luxury Escapes for only $269 per person. Available in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
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.
Available on activities in 2023 including hop-on hop-off tours, wine tours, sightseeing cruises, zoo and animal interactions, hot air balloon flights and more. Sample rate is a general entry to the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
Available on select dates on hot air balloon flights and scenic flights. Destinations include Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Byron Bay, Sydney, Whitsundays, Gold Coast and more.
Available on purchases such as getaways, dining experiences, attraction passes, sightseeing cruise, cinema tickets and day tours. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane.
Available on select dates until 2024 on activities such as sightseeing tours, whale-watching cruises, helicopter tours, cruises, wine tours and more. Sample rate is for an audio walking tour.
Available on select dates in 2023 on sports activities such as racing, football and more. Sample price is for the netball division. Destinations include Adelaide, Hobart, Sydney and Perth.
Stephanie Yip was the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday.
Major shopping centres, public spaces and dining options are still open across the Gold Coast during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few to get you started.
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