Reflect, respect, celebrate the spirit of community on Australia Day 2023
In cities, suburbs and towns around the nation, Australians will come together on Australia Day to reflect, respect, celebrate the strength and spirit of their local communities.
And this year, the Albanese Government has worked to make events on Australia Day more inclusive and accessible to all Australians.
Each event supported by the National Australia Day Council (NADC) now includes specific elements to ensure their events are inclusive such as having Auslan interpreters, ramp hires, accessible amenities or providing quiet spaces.
This builds on the incredible advocacy of the 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott.
The NADC has provided funding for more than 650 Australia Day events, from major broadcast events like Australia Day Live in Sydney, to citizenship ceremonies and morning teas in regional communities.
The program will support inclusive and accessible events across the nation which give all Australians the chance to reflect, respect and celebrate on Australia Day.
Events in capital cities will include citizenship ceremonies, multicultural festivals, community gatherings and morning teas. Larger scale events include a projection of First Nations artwork on the Sydney Opera House and the Australia Day Birak Concert in Perth.
Community events will be held in all states and territories with funding awarded to councils and community organisations to organise, promote and host Australia Day events. The NADC received a record number of grant applications to support local Australia Day events and activities.
In 2023, the NADC is providing $5 million in events funding for major events in capital and major cities, and $8.9 million to fund 414 organisations to deliver more than 650 community events across all states and territories.
The NADC’s Australia Day Community Grants program is supported by the Australian Government.
For more information visit australiaday.org.au.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Gorman:
“Australia Day is an opportunity to reflect on our past and respect that we all have a contribution to make.
“Every Australia Day 2023 event supported by the National Australia Day Council has been planned to ensure accessibility for all.”
“I’m proud that my home town of Perth will be hosting a number of these events that will bring people together to celebrate our truly diverse and multicultural city.
“The Australian Government is pleased to support the National Australia Day Council Community Grant program. I encourage Australians to check out events happening in their local community.”
Quotes attributable to National Australia Day Council Chief Executive Officer Karlie Brand:
“There are as many ways to experience Australia Day as there are Australians, with each of us finding our own meaning and significance shaped by our own experience and history.
“A truly inclusive Australia Day also means ensuring all Australians feel welcome to attend.”
“Australia Day is a day to learn more about our true history. Many will gather at services in cities and towns around the nation to stand with First Nations Australians in moments of reflection, truth-telling and celebration of timeless and enduring culture.
“These events are an opportunity to join in the time-honoured practice of storytelling to preserve language, history and culture.”
Capital City Australia Day 2023 Events
Perth
Australia Day Family Zone
Langley Park, Riverside Drive, 3pm to 9pm
Australia Day Birak Concert
Supreme Court Gardens, 3pm to 7.30pm
Reflect Respect Celebrate Film Dome
Langley Park, 3pm to 8pm
City of Light Drone Show and Fireworks Display
8.15pm to 8.45pm
For more information, visit auspire.org.au/events/
Sydney
Dawn Reflection
Australia Day in Sydney starts with a reflective moment to honour the nation’s traditional custodians. Held between 5:20am and sunrise, a First Nations artwork will be projected onto the country’s most iconic canvas.
Everyone is welcome to pause, reflect and remember by viewing this powerful display on the Sydney Opera House from vantage points around the harbour.
Sydney Opera House, 5.20-5.50am.
WugulOra
WugulOra (meaning ‘One Mob’) is a time for inclusion, understanding and reconciliation – a sacred and reflective start to Australia Day.
Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo, 7.30-8.30am
Australia Day Live Concert
An unmissable concert taking place both on land and water, featuring live musical performances from top Aussie acts choreographed to a flotilla of yachts, jet-skis and fly boarders with a fireworks display on Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Opera, House, 7.30-9.30pm
Brisbane
Great Aussie Bites
Great Australia Bites provides an opportunity to come together on Australia Day to enjoy food, fun and festivities.
With free entry, delectable tasting plates prepared by local restaurant pop-up stalls and popular food vendors offering affordable high-quality produce, and lively entertainment from home-grown musicians, Great Australian Bites is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the Australian summer atmosphere with family and friends.
Riverside Green, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
Adelaide
Aus Lights on the River
Aus Lights on the River is a two-day program on Wednesday 25 January and Thursday 26 January. The program showcases \immersive visually engaging light, vision, and sound installations supported with complimentary children’s activations.
Elder Park, 5.30pm
Melbourne
2023 Australia Day Festival at Government House
Activities incorporating and reflecting First Nations people. Including a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, native plant and nature tours within the grounds, and First Nations Art Displays within the State Apartments.
Government House, Government House Drive, Melbourne, 10.30am to 4.30pm
Canberra
Lights on the Lake
Commonwealth Place, Lake Burley Griffin
5pm to 10pm, with projections starting at sundown
Wednesday 25 January 2023 to Saturday 28 January 2023
Australian of the Year Projections
National Carillon, Queen Elizabeth II Island
Monday 23 January 2023 to Wednesday 25 January 2023
Hobart
Wrest Point Sandy Bay Regatta
Long Beach, Lower Sandy Bay, 8am to 4pm.
Darwin
Oz Run
Held in the morning of Australia Day 26 January at the Darwin Waterfront, Oz Run is the Territory’s largest free running event. We encourage everyone to celebrate our national day by dressing up and embracing the spirit of Australia.
Darwin Convention Centre, 6.30am to 9am.