Everything to see and do around SA for Australia Day 2024
Still haven’t locked in your plans for Friday? From public barbies to celeb appearances, see what’s still on SA’s January 26 calendar here.
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Sausages will be sizzling as communities come together across the state on Friday to celebrate local heroes, new residents and what makes their part of South Australia special this Australia Day.
Events are planned from remote Roxby Downs to beachside Robe, leafy Burnside and sunbaked Coober Pedy, where a cricket match between local sporting stars is planned.
What’s more, almost all are free with many barbecues being put on by the local council or a sporting group or community organisation.
Some gatherings are likely to be small, such as the traditional barbie breakfast planned for Orroroo at the picturesque Pekina Creek, while 5000 or more partygoers are expected for a family celebration in Adelaide’s north at Carisbrooke Park.
The local footy ground will be the place to meet in some locations while the town park will offer shade and comfort to others.
Check out what’s open in SA on for the January 26 public holiday
There are sure to be plenty of cool drinks shared, a bit of dancing and plenty of family fun for Moana to Modbury, even a spelling bee or two to be found.
Officially, the Australian Government and National Australia Day Council is supporting 45 “inclusive events” across the state.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Pat Gorman said Australia Day was a day to celebrate “our ever-evolving story – of our history, our lives and most of all our people”.
“Australia Day is a time for all Australians to reflect on and celebrate the rich tapestry of our ancient, diverse, and multicultural nation,” he said.
“It is a day to acknowledge the past and pay respect to First Nations peoples’ survival, resilience and enduring culture.
“It’s also an opportunity to embrace the many cultures and backgrounds that make
up the Australian story.
“I encourage communities to come together this Australia Day to celebrate our many
achievements, reflect on our complex history and look forward to our future with hope.”
Here is a snapshot of events planned across the state this Australia Day.
Friday January 26
Adelaide
First Nations’ ancestral heritage event is billed as “a genuine opportunity for reconciliation at Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama” from 7am to 8am.
Adelaide
Aus Lights on the River is a two-day program at Elder Park which kicks off on Thursday, January, 25 to “showcase Our SA Story through immersive, visually engaging light, vision, and sound installations” … “inspired by creative visions of belonging to country and connecting to nature.” Various highlights from 5pm with fireworks at 9.30pm.
There is plenty for the kids aged four to eight, too, with music, fun activities as well as Australian wildlife encounters, at the Aus Lights for Kids at the Festival Centre Plaza.
Beachport
‘Local legends’ will be celebrated at the at Centennial Park on Somerville St, from 8am
Berri
The Berri Barmera Council’s community breakfast starts at 8am, at the Berri riverfront on Riverview Drive following a community walk. The Berri Barmera says: “Australia Day, January 26, is one of the biggest celebrations in our country and is a time where where we ignite our national pride ... we celebrate what’s great about being Australian. It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation”.
Brighton
A community celebration and spelling bee competition from 2.30pm at Brighton High School
Burnside
The community breakfast, ceremony and awards event is at Hazelwood Park from 9am
Burra
A community breakfast at Thomas Pickett Reserve by the Burra Creek from 8am
Campbelltown
Lunch and family from 11am on the Campbelltown Council Lawn
Ceduna
Ceduna’s Australia Day award-winners will be celebrated at morning ceremony on the Ceduna Sailing Club Lawns, from 8am
Clare
The Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council is invite its residents to gather for a breakfast celebration at Melrose Park (Phoenix Avenue, Clare) from 8.30am
Cleve
A free breakfast event and award ceremony is planned at the Cleve Centenary (Lions) Park from 8am
Coober Pedy
Family fun from 9am, including a cricket match featuring local stars at the Coober Pedy Town Oval, on Hutchison St. The local council says: “Come say G’day at the Australia Day big breakfast and community event ... as we celebrate all the things we love about our country, our land, our lifestyle and our community”.
Cowell
Free community breakfast and award presentation from 7am on Thompson Drive
Dublin
The Adelaide Plains Council is inviting its residents to a free breakfast and family event at the Dublin Oval from 8am, which wil include a ceremony and award presentation
Elizabeth
Aussie rock is on the menu at Playford’s Australia Day breakfast, so too is South Aussie with Cosi star, Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello who will host this year’s community event.
We’re told “a free barbecue brekky will be cooking away with amusements and live entertainment happening throughout the morning” with the fun starting at Fremont Park, Elizabeth, at 8am
Elliston
A community celebration from 11am to 5pm in the Elliston Parklands
Eudunda
Breakfast is held at the Eudunda Centenary Gardens from 8am
Gawler
Celebrate the community’s “unsung heroes” from 7am Apex Park
Glenelg
A free, family friendly morning event on the Glenelg foreshore, from 9am
Goolwa
A ceremony and awards event will be held at Centenary Hall, Cadell St, from 11am
Hallett
A “delicious cooked breakfast”, at the Hallett Hall from 8am
Happy Valley
Australia Day community breakfast at Happy Valley Sports Park from 8am
Jabuk
Australia Day Breakfast in the Jabuk Community Hall at 8am
Kalangadoo
‘Local legends’ will be celebrated at the Kalangadoo Institute on Eliza St from 8am
Kimba
Breakfast will kick off the community event at 8am, 33 Park Tce.
Kingscote
Australia Day awards to 10am at the National Trust Hope Cottage Museum, 22 Centenary Ave, Kingscote with all invited to attend
Kingston
A community breakfast from 7am at Lions Park
Klemzig
An event to celebrate Australia Day hosted by Shruthi Adelaide, from 11am at the Klemzig Community Hall
Karoonda
A family friendly community event from 9am, at Pioneer Park
Lucindale
Australia Day celebrations at Centenary Park from 11am.
Maitland
Afternoon tea, citizen ceremony and awards at Robert St, Maitland, form 2pm
Millicent
‘Local legends’ will be celebrated from 8am Jubilee Park
Marion
We’re told Marion Outdoor Pool will have a DJ spinning some Aussie tunes, snags on the barbie cooked by the Lions Club (for the first 500 people), lawn games and free entry for the first 150 people on the day. From 11am to 5pm
Moana
Family fun from 11am, at the Esplanade
Modbury
An Australian citizenship ceremony will be held from 8am at 191 Reservoir Rd
Moorak
Invite event, from 11am
Morphett Vale
The Morphett Vale Australia Day Youth Music Festival for young people aged 18 to 35, at Morphett Vale Community Hall from 1pm
Mount Barker
The local council is co-hosting a “family fun day” with Wallis Cinemas on the lawns of Auchendarroch house between 11.30am and 2.30pm
Mount Gambier
The community event starts at Cave Garden/Thugi from 7.30am
Mannum
Lions breakfast at Mary Ann Reserve from 7am, followed by an award ceremony.
Murray Bridge
Community event and celebration from 7am, at Edwards Square
Naracoorte
The Australia Day celebration starts at 7am, at Naracoorte Town Squares
Noarlunga Downs
Australia Day Family Fair and Fireworks from 5.30pm
Noarlunga Centre
Australia Day breakfast at Ramsay Place between 8am and 11am; Australia Day Family Fair to be held at the South Adelaide Football Club, Lovelock Drive, from 5.30pm to 9.30pm
Normanville
Australia Day Breakfast from 9am, 81 Andrew Ave
Norwood
Fun and giant inflatable obstacle course for the kids at a “Splash” event, at Norwood Swimming Centre. There is a pool entry fee.
Orroroo
The Australia Day awards ceremony breakfast will be held the picturesque Pekina Creek, from 8am
Outer Harbor
Adelaide Coastal Festival – A Vine, Brew & Artisan Market is tipped to be “a vibrant celebration of South Australia’s finest food”. It will be at the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, 750 Victoria Rd, from 12pm.
Paradise
Confluence, a celebration of “inclusive and multicultural Australia”, hosted By Shruthi Adelaide Incorporated, from 11am, at Hamilton Tce; an Aussie Day Duck Race involving rubber ducks racing down the rapids at Thorndon Park Reserve, between 1pm and 3.30pm (there is a cost to enter your duck).
Penola
‘Local legends’ will be celebrated at War Memorial Park on Church St, from 8am
Playford
Port Augusta
Poolside fun starts at 8am, at the Ryan Mitchell Swim Centre
Port Lincoln
Australia Day community breakfast on the Port Lincoln Foreshore from 11am
Quorn
A breakfast event, including citizenship ceremony, kicks off at the Quorn and District War Memorial Swimming Pool from 8am
Robe
Starting 8am, the long standing annual community event will take place on Mundy Tce
Robertstown
The family friendly gathering begins at 8am, at the Robertstown football club
Roseworthy
A community breakfast event at Roseworthy Community Hall from 7.45am
Roxby Downs
Australia Day celebration and family fun from 9am at the Roxby Link Pool
Salisbury
City of Salisbury will host its annual Australia Day event which includes free breakfast rolls, fruit and yoghurt, family activities and water slides along and with a petting zoo at Carisbrooke Park from 8am (1927 Main North Rd, Salisbury Park)
Strathalbyn
A ceremony is planned at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens, near the rotunda with breakfast available for purhase from 7.30am and an awards presentation at 9am
St Peters
Australia Day event kicks on off St Peters St at 9am
Tailem Bend
Australia Day lunch and awards in the Tailem Bend Hall from 11am
Tununda
The Barossa Council is advertising its Australia Day celebrations will kick off with “a free community breakfast at Tanunda Show Hall from 8am ... a coffee van will also be onsite to offer tea, coffee and sweets”. A citizenship ceremony and award presentation will follow
Waikerie
Waikerie Australia Day Extravaganza with music, fireworks, entertainment, food and drinks, at Peake Tce, from 6pm
Wallaroo
The Copper Coast Australia Day breakfast and awards starts at 7.30am, at the Wallaroo Town Hall
Willunga
Australia Day community breakfast at Centenary Park, Binney Road Willunga
West Beach
Ethio-resilience Day;A coming together of people from the Ethiopian community in SA, at 616 Burbridge Rd from 10am
Woodville
Community lunch, performances by local artists, a spelling bee competition, dot painting workshops and Australia Day awards, hosted by the Telugu Association of South Australia
at 74 Woodville Rd, from 11am.
Wolseley
Australia Day breakfast from 8am on Railway Terrace, North Wolseley
Whyalla
Australia Day Celebrations, including citizenship ceremony and awards at the Civic Building on Grundel St at 10.30am; A family friendly celebratory Australia Day picnic event at Ada Ryan Gardens from 12pm
Wudinna
Traditional Australia Day activities kicked off with a community breakfast, starting at 8am at 8 Nailor Tce.
Thursday January 25
Adelaide
The city’s citizenship and awards ceremonies are on at the Adelaide Town Hall from 10:00am
Marion
A celebration and awards night will be held at the Mitchell Park Sport and Community Centre to “bring together our diverse community to recognise, celebrate and connect through cultural, music, food, and activities”. From 6pm
Mitcham
The local council has announced it will be celebrating Australia Day a day early, with a public event planned at Soldiers Memorial Gardens in Hawthorn from 5pm to 8pm offering “an evening of free activities”
Kilburn
Dubbed as a “free afternoon of fun, games and community”, the Welcoming Precinct Community Fun Day event starts at 2pm at the Kilburn Community Centre, 59 Gladstone Ave, Kilburn
Stirling
Adelaide Hills Council will hold its citizen ceremony on the Stirling Library Lawns, starting 6.30pm (ceremonies will also be held at Uradlia on Saturday, January 27 and at Gumeracha on Sunday, January 28)
Whyalla
The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Citizen of the Year awards will be held at the Civic Building on Grundel St at 5.30pm
Woodville
Charles Sturt Council will hold its citizenship ceremony at the Woodville Town Hall at 5pm
Saturday, January 27
Meningie
Morning tea, various celebrations and awards at Meningie Lions Jubilee Park from 9.30am on Saturday, January 27
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