Here are the top places around the country to celebrate Australia Day.
Darling Harbour, Sydney
From 6pm the area around Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour will light up with fireworks, music and celebration. The Wuruniri Music and Dance Group will perform a traditional indigenous welcome song, NSW Australian of the Year recipients will deliver powerful speeches about what it means to be Australian and dragon boats will race across the finish line to the beating of drums.
Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne
The RACV Australia Day Festival is one of Melbourne’s best-loved traditions, held in the beautiful surrounds of Kings Domain Gardens. The festival commences at 11am, after the Australia Day parade through the city, and features displays from community groups, vintage and classic cars, multicultural food trucks and a family-friendly concert. The Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes will also put on a dazzling display of acrobatics in the skies above the gardens.
Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast
As the sun sets on January 26, the Sunshine State will be putting on a huge fireworks display to rival New Year’s Eve, right on the waterfront. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic (or sample something from the local food trucks) and enjoy music from local performers. There’s also an Aussie Sporting Zone with kids’ activities from the Gold Coast Titans, Gold Coast Suns and Queensland Cricket.
Elder Park, Adelaide
More than 40,000 people are expected to attend South Australia’s largest Australia Day celebration. The event begins with the largest parade in the country, featuring more than 4,000 people from 150 community groups and featuring horses, vintage cars, floats and a fly past from an F-18 Hornet. It's followed by a huge concert with a flag raising ceremony and a fireworks display.
Darwin Waterfront, Darwin
If you feel like getting active this Australia Day, Darwin is hosting its annual fun run along the city’s Waterfront. Participants are encouraged to dress up in outfits that show their Aussie pride and compete in the 2.5 or 5 kilometre race. At the finish line, there will be a sausage sizzle, live entertainment, giveaways and a waterslide to keep you cool.
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