Things to do on Australia Day in 2022

When is Australia Day?

Australia Day falls on 26 January every year and is a public holiday across all Australian states and territories.

Will Australia Day events and fireworks be going ahead in 2022?

Many Australia Day events will be going ahead in 2022. If you're not sure what's happening in your area, look at our city-based guides above or check your local government website for the latest updates on Australia Day fireworks and events that will be going ahead.

About Australia Day

On this national day, Aussies come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's a time to collectively reflect on what Australia has achieved and what we can be proud of as a nation and re-commit to making Australia an even greater country for future generations. It marks the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in 1788 and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.

Though this date marks the anniversary of a specific event, modern-day Australia Day celebrations reflect the contemporary Australia that includes the diverse communities, cultures, society and landscape.

The history of Australia Day

Beginnings

The date of 26 January originates from the early nineteenth century, with official documents referring to the First Landing Day or Foundation Day. This was the day in 1788 that Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet and first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove. Some of the immigrants who prospered in Sydney, particularly sons of convicts, began marking the colony's beginnings with an anniversary dinner to celebrate their love of the land they lived in.

The Jubilee 1838

Although there was no official celebration of the colony's anniversary, the colony's immigrants continued to celebrate at sundown on 25 January, all the way into the night. This continued into 1838, marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the colony and as part of the celebrations, Australia declared its first public holiday.

The Centenary 1888

By this time, Victoria had separated from New South Wales in 1851 and Queensland in 1859. Van Diemen's Land had a new name – Tasmania – named after the first European explorer to sight the island. Attitudes from the different sister colonies towards celebrating 26 January were mixed at this time, as 25 January was still very much a New South Wales affair.

In 1910, South Australia adopted Australia Day and Victoria adopted it in 1931. By 1935, all states of Australia were celebrating 26 January. In New South Wales it was still called Anniversary Day.

The Sesquicentenary 1938

The 150th anniversary of British settlement in Australia was celebrated widely. After almost 100 years, they had found an agreement on the name, timing and nature of the celebrations. In 1946, New South Wales had agreed to adopt the name "Australia Day".

The Bicentenary 1988

In 1988, 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet, the celebrations of Australia Day were taking place all over Australia. Over 2.5 million people attended the event in Sydney including parties and performances at the Sydney Opera House.

Today

Outdoor concerts, barbecues, festivals and fireworks are some of the many events that occur on Australia Day. The National Australia Day Council organises a number of these events and citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held. On the day before Australia Day each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian of the Year award. The award is given to a citizen who has contributed and inspired the Australian community and the nation. Various local festivals take place and an international cricket match is usually held.

Criticism of Australia Day

For some communities in Australia, such as Indigenous Australians, Australia Day has symbolised the adverse effects of British settlement on their people. In 1938, an Aboriginal Day of Mourning was held at the same time as celebrations.

A large group of Aboriginal people in Sydney led an Invasion Day commemorating the loss of Indigenous culture in 1988. The day has been widely used to emphasise the alternative attitudes towards Australia Day and although some Indigenous Australians celebrate Australia Day, Invasion protests occur almost every year.

Australia Day ceremonies

There are a few ceremonial aspects to Australia Day which are both a tradition and symbol of the holiday.

• Citizenship ceremonies. These have both personal and legal dimensions and grant new citizens rights and responsibilities, including the right to vote, stand for public office and travel on an Australian passport.
• Affirmation ceremonies. These ceremonies allow Australian-born citizen to declare their loyalty to Australia and its people. It's usually held before a function or before the Citizenship Ceremony.
• Flying the Australian flag. People all over the country will fly the Australian national flag, as well as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
• Australian National Anthem. Proclaimed in 1984, the Australian National Anthem identifies Australia and is sung during all ceremonies.
• Australia Day Ambassador Program. This is an initiative that sees high achieving and proud Aussies attend local celebrations in communities across the nation. Ambassadors volunteer their time to inspire communities across Australia.
• Reconciliation. Australia Day is also the time to recognise the unique status of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with an appropriate mark of respect on the national day.
• Australian of the Year Awards. Every year Australia celebrates the achievements and contributions of inspiring Australians by recognising leading citizens and role models.

Australia Day deals and coupon codes

Deal

Up to 50% off Australia experiences

Available on select dates, including Christmas and New Year's, for activities such as skydiving, hot air balloon flights, bridge climbing, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more.

Get deal

Code

Up to 25% off Australia experiences + an extra 10% off with code

Available on activities including skydives, whale watching cruises, day tours, getaways and more. Must purchase 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Deal

Up to 25% off getaways

Available on select dates when you book your hotel and flight together. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns, Uluru, Brisbane, Canberra and more.

Get deal

Deal

Get $10 off your next adventure

Sign up your email and receive special offers, amazing new experiences, and discounts. T&Cs apply.

Get deal

Deal

Up to 42% off activities for kids

Available on select dates for activities like whale watching, go karting, sightseeing tours, attraction passes and more. Destinations include Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra and more.

Get deal

Code

Get 5% off Australia activities

Available on activities including skydives, jet ski rides, whale watching cruises, day tours, rally driving, scenic helicopter flights and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Destinations include Cairns, Sydney, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code exclusive

Extra 10% off Australia activities and experiences

Expires 31 Jul 2022

Available on select dates and activities such as V8 racing, tandem skydives, scenic helicopter flights and jet boat rides. Destinations include Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Minimum spend of $350 required. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code exclusive

Get 5% off Australia-wide experiences with code

Expires 31 Jul 2022

Available on activities including V8 racing, hot air balloon rides, kayak tours, skydives and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

Extra $10 off Australia getaway packages

Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

Up to $10 off Adelaide activities with code

Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours in Adelaide Hills, tandem skydives and more. Sample price is for River Torrens sightseeing cruise. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

$10 off hot air balloon experiences in Perth

Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

Extra $5 off Australia family holidays with code

Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Destinations include Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Perth, Noosa, Blue Mountains and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

Up to $10 off Hobart activities with code

Available on select dates when you spend a minimum of $300. Activities include winery tours, getaways, high teas, spas, sightseeing cruises, helicopter flights and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code

Up to 25% off Melbourne activities + an extra $10 off with code

Available on select dates until 2022 on activities including driving experiences, kayak tours, attraction passes and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Deal

Up to 55% off Australia getaways

Verified Yesterday Expires 31 Jul 2022

Available on stays until August 2022. Destinations include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns, Adelaide, Townsville, Tasmania, Sydney, Broome and more.

Get deal

Deal

Up to 25% off Australia holiday packages

Available on select dates until December 2022 when you book your hotel and flights together. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and more.

Get deal

Code exclusive

Get $5 off activities with code

Available when you spend a minimum of $250 on activities such as hot air balloon flights, rally driving, skydives, high teas and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code

Code exclusive

Get $10 off activities with code

Available on select dates on destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, skydives, high teas and more. T&Cs apply.

Show code