Sydney Harbour Australia Day 2026

🇦🇺 Australia Day 2026: Sydney Harbour Program

Monday, 26 January 2026

Sydney Harbour will transform into a world-class stage for a day of reflection, community, and celebration.

🌅 Morning: Reflection & Culture

• Dawn Reflection (5:20 am – 5:40 am): The Sydney Opera House sails illuminate with First Nations artwork. It can be best viewed from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

• WugulOra Morning Ceremony (7:30 am – 8:30 am): A sacred smoking ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve celebrating the Gadigal people that also includes the Australian National Anthem sung in Eora and English.

• Oz Day 10K (9:00 am): Watch the world’s elite wheelchair athletes race through the historic streets of The Rocks.

⛴️ Midday: Harbourfest Highlights

• Midday Salute (11:55 am): A thunderous 21-gun salute followed by a high-octane RAAF F-35A Lightning II flypast over the harbor.

• Ferrython (12:10 pm – 12:30 pm): Four of Sydney’s Emerald Class ferries race from Fort Denison to the finish line under the Bridge.

• Maritime Mayhem (12:15 pm): Tugboat stunts and jet-ski acrobatics in Sydney Cove.

• Harbour Parade (1:00 pm – 2:15 pm): A "best-dressed" flotilla of private vessels.

🎆 Evening: The Grand Finale

• Australia Day Live (7:30 pm – 9:30 pm): A star-studded concert at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt choreographed to a parade of illuminated boats (the Lit Vessels Parade) and a massive fireworks display.

• Tickets: Tickets are free but essential. They will be up for sale from Wednesday, 14 January 2026 via the Opera House website.

• Broadcast: Watch live on ABC TV or iView if you can't make it to the Quay.

📋 Attendee Essentials (The Fine Print)

🚉 Getting There & Home

• Circular Quay Station: From 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm, trains will not stop at Circular Quay to manage crowds. Use Wynyard, St James, or Martin Place and walk.
• Light Rail: L2 and L3 services will not run between Circular Quay and Town Hall from 7:30 pm onwards.
• Wharf Closures: Major wharves (including Circular Quay and King St) will have intermittent closures for the Ferrython and evening shows. Check the Trip Planner at transportnsw.info.

🚤 Information for Boaties

• Exclusion Zones:
• 11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Full closure from the Bridge to East of Fort Denison.
• 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Full closure of Sydney Cove.
• Spit Bridge: Operates on a regular Public Holiday timetable (no extra openings).
• Safety: NSW Police will enforce a 0.05 BAC limit. Lifejackets are mandatory for children under 12 in open areas of vessels under 8m.

♿ Accessibility & Comfort

• Viewing: Designated accessible viewing areas are located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and Barangaroo Reserve.
• Drop-offs: A dedicated accessible drop-off point is located at Harrington Street (The Rocks).
• Amenities: For the evening concert, haptic vests and quiet spaces for neurodivergent guests are available (registration required via australiaday.com.au).
• Security: Expect bag checks at the Opera House and major entry points. No glass or alcohol is permitted in most public vantage points.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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