Survival Day March to go ahead next year as Tour Down Under moves out of Victoria Square

Next year's Survival Day March down King William Street will go ahead with a major sporting event moving out of Victoria Square.

After months of deliberation following a date clash with the Tour Down Under, Survival Day March organisers have confirmed the annual event will go ahead at Tartanyangga (Victoria Square) next year.

The Tour Down Under initially booked the square for the event’s 25th anniversary celebrations but have since agreed to move their Stage 6 Sprint Race to North Terrace to accommodate the march.

Survival Day organiser and actress Natasha Wanganeen said she looked forward to returning to the square, which holds great significance for the Kaurna people, again next year.

“People power won it, the cultural significance of the place came through, and they’re moving it to let us do what we’ve got to do,” she said.

“A lot of the elders are relieved, a lot of young mothers and fathers are relieved because it’s going to be their children’s first Survival Day, you know, carrying on that tradition of rocking up for your people.

“So I’m really happy that Survival Day is going to happen for all the babies who want to walk with their grandparents and their parents and march down the road like they have – that’s really powerful to me.”

Survival Day organiser Natasha Wanganeen is happy next year’s march can go ahead. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

On Monday, organisers from both events will do a site walk-through to work out next steps, she said.

Held on January 26, which is recognised as a day of mourning for many First Nations people, the annual march up King William Street has started at the square for many years.

The Tour Down Under falls in mid January each year and has always taken place in Victoria Square with both groups working alongside each other in the past.

The dates of the Tour Down Under change each year with the 2025 race taking place from January 17 to 26.

Tour Down Under organisers had initially booked the square for the final day to act as the starting place for the final CBD race, meaning the usual march wouldn’t have been able to take place.

A Tour Down Under spokesperson said a variation was made to the Stage 6 men’s race in the city.

“Given Stage 6 falls on January 26 and the significance of that date within the community, it was always our intention to consult with key stakeholders and community members to ensure all events could safely proceed on that day,” a spokesperson said.

“We are pleased to have come to a resolution that is satisfactory for all and we are looking forward to an exceptional final day of cycling in Adelaide’s city centre.”

Thousands pack out the square for the march each year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said she was pleased both events were able to go ahead.

“Tour Down Under organisers have been in discussions with Survival Day organisers to make sure both events can safely proceed on January 26,” she said.

“I am pleased that the parties have worked together constructively to achieve an outcome that benefits both events.”

Survival Day marches take place in every state and territory each year with more than 5000 turning up for this year’s SA event.

Ms Wanganeen hoped that next year’s event would be the biggest one yet.

“We’re calling on everyone to make this the biggest Survival Day in SA history,” she said.

“Every year since 2019 it has been growing since I’ve been running it, the crowds have been getting bigger and bigger every year.

“We almost didn’t have it (next year) so let’s all get out there and walk proud for everybody that’s ever come before us, and for those who are still coming.”

Originally published as Survival Day March to go ahead next year as Tour Down Under moves out of Victoria Square