A huge range of free events will take place around Sydney Harbour from dawn and into the night on January 26
Forget the Sydney to Hobart, the harbour’s greatest boat race, the Ferrython, is on again this January 26 along with a huge array of fun and free events for all the family.
NSW
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Forget the Sydney to Hobart, the harbour’s greatest boat race is on again this January 26 and will test the mettle of our state’s bravest warriors.
The spectacular Australia Day Ferrython will see four of the city’s classic Emerald Class ferries competing for line honours.
But the race will also be a competition between the state’s emergency services as each vessel will be helmed by members from the Fire, Police, Ambulance and the State Emergency Services (SES) forces in recognition of the hard work these critical workers do every day.
“We’re used to a bit of friendly competition with our emergency services peers and I’m sure this will be no different,” said SES acting superintendent Shelly Stingmore.
“Over 140 of our incredible members and volunteers and their families and friends will board the May Gibbs ferry and race against the other services.”
“We constantly test our skills in flood rescue, storm response, search and rescue and first aid, among other capabilities, so it will be nice to add ferry race participant to that list of proficiencies,” she said.
A crowd favourite since its inception in 1977, the Australia Day Ferrython attracts thousands of spectators lining the shores of Sydney Harbour to cheer on the ferries which will complete two laps from Fort Denison to the finish line beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge reaching speeds that exceed the usual city commute pace.
The program for Australia Day in Sydney 2025 has been designed for all Australians to come together to reflect, respect and celebrate.
Free activities and events for tens of thousands of families and friends will take place in and around beautiful Sydney Harbour on Eora Country.
From dawn and into the night, this year’s program invites everyone to mark the day in their own way.
Events such as the Dawn Reflection and WugulOra Morning Ceremony will encourage the community to reflect and respect our shared history and Indigenous cultures.
Throughout the day, Sydney’s iconic harbour will host activities that celebrate the Australian spirit as well as the strength, diversity and generosity of its community.
This year’s events include a free Mega Kidz Zone at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Fun in the Sun events with Surf Lifesaving NSW, a monster truck show on water and a working harbour vessel display.
The program will culminate in a celebration of music and fireworks at the Australia Day Live concert, set against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Indigenous advisers, creative directors and cultural artists and performers have been involved in guiding the Australia Day in Sydney program, which will honour the world’s oldest living culture through traditional ceremonies and performances.
Australia Day Live co-creative director, Kalkadunga man and master of the didgeridoo William Barton said there will also be some surprises in store.
“What I love about Australia Day Live is the opportunity to share the artistry of the community, but to also bring ceremony to that stage,” Barton said.
“Regardless of their political views, I want to connect to each person in the audience and (those) watching the concert spectacle at home. For people to experience and learn about the kind of music I perform is a great gift and a platform I don’t take for granted,” he said.
“We’re set to perform some unique collaborations blending all types of musical styles with a First Nations influence,” he said.
Singer Paulini said it is a privilege to be invited to sing at Australia Day Live 2025.
“Australia isn’t just a country I moved to, it’s my island home away from my original island home of Fiji,” Paulini said.
“Australia has given me so many opportunities and I will forever be grateful for the journey I continue to be on. I look at this opportunity as my chance to say thank you to every single person and organisation that has supported me in any way over the past 21 years.”
Australia Day in Sydney has also placed accessibility and inclusion at the forefront of the event program to ensure everyone can participate. Building upon the NSW Government’s Event Accessibility and Inclusion program, Australia Day in Sydney 2025 will include initiatives such as haptic vests for D/deaf guests to ‘feel’ the beat at the Australia Day Live concert, Auslan interpreters at events, access to quiet rooms as well as wheelchair basketball and a silent disco activation for people with physical, sensory or cognitive disability.
Australia Day Live’s free ticketed precinct will have capacity for thousands of attendees on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and non-ticketed capacity in the broader Circular Quay precinct.
For those who are unable to make it to Sydney Harbour on 26 January, the WugulOra morning ceremony will be broadcast on NITV and simulcast on SBS live from 7.30am.
The concert will also be broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iview from 7.30pm.
HARBOUR EVENTS JANUARY 26 2025
1. Dawn Reflection 5.20am-5.40am
As the sun rises, the Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated with a spectacular Aboriginal artwork.
2. Australian and Aboriginal flags Raised, Sydney Harbour Bridge 5.30am
The simultaneous raising of both flags symbolises unity, acknowledgment, and belonging.
3. WugulOra Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo Reserve (place name: Gudjyi) 7.30am – 8.30am
This moving ceremony symbolises how we can embrace each other, united in a spirit of togetherness.
4. Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Race, The Rocks 9.00am – 10.00am
Elite wheelchair track and road athletes will compete in Australia’s only wheelchair-exclusive road race.
5. Sydney Harbour Splash – Rose Bay 6am – 10.30am
Back for its 9th year, the iconic swim starts at Rose Bay and follows the coastline giving participants and spectators stunning views to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
6. Eat Street, Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) 9am – 9pm
A variety of delicious food trucks serving both local and international cuisine.
7. Wheelchair Basketball, OPT 10.30am – 4pm
An interactive event, where anyone can give this highly physical and competitive sport a go.
8. Mega Kidz Zone, OPT 10.30am – 4.00pm
Free family fun, including a massive maze and inflatable obstacle course while escaping the heat indoors.
9. Silent Disco, OPT 10.30am – 4.00pm
Upstairs at OPT children of all ages and abilities can groove to the rhythm of the silent disco
10. Surf Life Saving NSW, First Fleet Park 10.30am – 4.00pm
Gain insights into this iconic foundation, discover the world of Nippers, enjoy complimentary face painting, and strike a pose when taking a photo with a lifesaving jet ski.
11. Australia Day at The Rocks (including The Rocks Markets) 11:00am – 5.00pm
This historic area of Sydney transforms into an open-air market featuring tasty eats celebrating Australia’s diversity with food.
12. Midday Salute, Circular Quay 11.55am
A thunderous 21-Gun Salute resonating from North Sydney, followed by an aerial fly-past courtesy of the Roulettes, the Royal Australian Air Force’s elite aerobatic team.
13. Ferrython, Sydney Harbour 12.10pm-12.30pm
Thousands of spectators line the shores of Sydney Harbour to cheer on four of the city’s iconic Emerald Class ferries as they compete for honours in a race across the waves.
14. Maritime Mayhem, Circular Quay 12.15pm – 12.25pm
A high-octane, exhilarating display of fast and furious jet ski performances, daredevil flyboard tricks and crazy tugboat displays.
15. Seahawk Helicopter Flag Display, Sydney Harbour 12.30pm – 1.30pm
See one of the Royal Australian Navy’s impressive MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters take to the Sydney sky on our national day.
16. Harbour Parade 12.45pm – 2.00pm
This annual tradition sees boats and crews parade in their Australia Day finest as they challenge other vessels for best dressed and other prizes.
17. Tall Ships Race, Sydney Harbour 1.00pm – 1.30pm
An impressive and grand fleet of historic vessels race to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
18. 189th Australia Day Regatta, Eastern Sydney Harbour 1.30pm – 6pm
The oldest continuously run annual sailing event in the world, first held in 1837. Learn more about the 189th regatta taking place this year.
19. Working Harbour Display, Campbells Cove 2.00pm – 4.00pm
A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the tugboats and ships that serve on Sydney Harbour.
20. Australia Day Live, Fireworks, Martime Show and Concert on the Big Screen, Circular Quay 7:30pm-9:30pm
Celebrate our national day along the harbour with a visual spectacular from the sea to the sky.
21. Australia Day Concert, Sydney Opera House Forecourt 7.30pm – 9.30pm
The unmissable Australia Day Live concert will see live musical performances from top local acts along with a few surprises. The concert will also be broadcast live on ABC TV and ABC iview from 7.30pm.
AROUND THE CITY
22. AustraliaDay@TheHouse, Government House 12.00pm – 6.00pm
Following a special Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony, Government House will be open to the public to enjoy its magnificent interiors.
23. Yabun Festival, Victoria Park Camperdown, 10.00am – 10:00pm
The largest community led one-day festival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
24. Vintage Bus Ride Macquarie Street, 10:00am – 5.30pm
Travel like it’s 1949 on a double-decker vintage bus from Macquarie Street across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to North Sydney and back again.
25. Family Fun Activities, Darling Harbour 10.00am – 9.30pm
An exciting range of free family entertainment including Aussie themed roving performers and the ‘Have a Go’ sports area.
Click here for a full list of events.
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