All About Australia Day - Events, Observances, History

The 26th of January is engraved in the Aussie calendar as the day it enjoyed its first taste of diversity. We now call it ‘Australia Day’, the national day of the country where people from all backgrounds and communities come together to celebrate this special occasion with extravagant outdoor parades, events and fireworks displays. Major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide can be seen swarming with people from all corners of the country, embracing the unity and diversity of the nation.

There’s much to appreciate and learn about this special day in the Land Down Under, so if you’re eager to find out then sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and read along!

The story behind

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, which led to the first European settlement in the country. Although the day serves as a beacon for diversity and unity, not all Australians feel the same way. The Indigenous community refer to this day as ‘Invasion Day’ in protest to the arrival of the British, and observe many counter-celebrations as a way of commemorating their ancestors who have suffered during the days of colonisation.

Now, the Australian government acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and the national day is infused with deep respect for them and their culture.

Top traditions

• Australia is a multi-ethnic land – celebrating diversity through art and culture is a popular tradition during this day.

• Wearing the befitting national colours – green and gold.

• Australia Day cruises on Sydney Harbour are a top attraction to witness all the famous National Day events.

Famous observances

Ferrython Race - Australia Day is now one of the most highly-anticipated days of the year. Among the many cities including the capital Canberra, Sydney is the place to be – with the harbour city offering a slew of special events and activities. Sydney is famous for holding a very special sight on the harbour around 11am, the Ferrython Race. This iconic event is absolutely free but for a bucket-list worthy experience, you can book the Australia Day cruises for 2023.

The iconic BBQ - Falling in one of the hottest months of the year, most Australians celebrate the national day with their signature barbie in the backyard. You’ll also hear the Aussie slangs the highest during this special day, so watch out for that! If someone says ‘shrimp on the barbie’ they’re probably referring to prawns on the barbecue!

Aussie of the year award - The Australian of the Year awards are one of the highest accolades bestowed upon a citizen and are hosted in conjunction with Australia Day. Exemplary citizens are chosen for their impeccable contribution in their field, to the local community and serving as an inspirational role model to the rest of Australians.

Why we love OZ

Two favourite K’s - Most of us, when we see a koala or a kangaroo, we think of their native homes as Australia. There are thought to be more than 20 million kangaroos in the country - people love watching these cuddly creatures every time they visit the country.

Serene Beaches - Who doesn’t love the beach? Australia is an island country and is home to over 10,000 beaches approximately, which means if you were to explore a new beach every day, it would take you 27 long years! This is one of the many reasons why Australia is considered one of the top vacation spots on Earth.

Urban Jungle - Beaches? Unlimited. Cute animals? Plenty. Outdoor spots? You’re darn right! With more than 20 world-heritage listed wonders and innumerable number of national parks, the possibilities for outdoor adventures are endless. Keeping that in mind, to get a taste of modern metropolitan life, you don’t need to venture far away.

Looking for ideas and activities to celebrate Australia Day in Sydney. I am a blogger who loves to share unique ideas about travelling or to celebrate occasions in a different way.