Gold and green are the colours to be seen in on this one day of the year. You with us?
Struth, there’s a lot going on in Perth this week. With green and gold being the colours of choice, it certainly is an Australian celebration – and it’s a big one too, featuring a massive fireworks display along the Swan River.
So if you’re still scratching your head thinking “where will I be on Australia Day?” we know a few beaut places in Perth where you won’t be the only one wrapped in an Aussie flag. In fact, you’d stick out like a sore thumb if you weren’t.
Australia Day Perth fireworks
Known as the City of Perth Skyworks and Laser Show, the Western Australian Australia Day fireworks display is all that and so much more.
Spectacular enough to rival Sydney’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganza, Perth’s Skyworks and Laser Show is a marvel on the water. Last year the city introduced a new innovative circular firing layout which allowed shoreside punters the chance to view the colours from every angle.
This year, the city is planning to outdo itself again by offering a huge six "experience zones" where you can catch the fireworks and vibrant lasers which can be seen from a kilometre away.
Where to watch the Australia Day fireworks in Perth:
| Fireworks vantage points | What else is happening? | Food an drink |
|---|---|---|
| Langley Park | Starting at 3pm, there's Birak Concert, carnival rides, a petting zoo, market stalls, an air show and water regatta. | Food for sale. BYO picnic zones from 6:30-8:45pm. |
| Supreme Court Gardens | Starting at 3pm, there's Birak Concert, an air show and a water regatta. | Food for sale. No alcohol (BYO picnic areas nearby in Langley Park.) |
| Sit James Mitchell Park | Starting from 3pm, there's an art tent, big top with entertainment and train rides. | Food for sale. No alcohol or smoking permitted. |
| Kings Park and Botanic Gardens | Starting at 12pm. There's a 21-gun salute at the State War Memorial. Entry by gold coin donation | BYO picnics. No alcohol outside the picnic area, smoking or glass permitted. |
Spend your green and gold notes at the True Blue Sale
To celebrate Australian retailers, on no better day, of course, we've put together the second annual True Blue Sale.
Online stores like THE ICONIC, Cellarmasters, Sheridan and Sportscraft (plus loads more) are all offering big discounts for 48 hours starting at 5pm on 25 January.
Want to know how much you can save? You'll have to tune in when the sale starts to find out.
Australia Day events in Perth
Langley Park Entertainment Zone
For family-friendly entertainment from afternoon to night, head to Langley Park Entertainment Zone.
The official site of the City of Perth’s Australia Day celebrations is at Langley Park. Being right on the waterfront, it’s also a prime spot for catching the city’s big fireworks display.
The entertainment zone opens from 3pm and features entertainment and activities for kids of all ages. This includes plenty of amusement inflatables, a ferris wheel, pony and camel rides, sheep shearing and whip-cracking demonstrations, freestyle and motocross shows, science activities, mazes and more than 10 waterslides to cool your cockles on.
Then let’s not forget about the mandatory sausage sizzle!
Survival Perth
Reconciliation meets celebration in this display of indigenous performances.
Held in the Ozone Reserve, adjacent to Langley Park, Survival Perth is a celebration of Australian and Torres Strait Islanders through dance, music, art and food.
Running from 3pm–7:30pm, it includes activities such as face painting and flag raising.
South Perth Celebration Zone
With over 100 free activities for wide-eyed Aussies to get stuck into, boredom doesn’t exist in the South Perth Celebration Zone.
The list here is long, so let’s not beat around the bush. From 3pm through till 7:30pm, Sir James Mitchell Park in South Perth will entertain the masses with giant bouncy castles, water games, obstacle courses, folklore games, arts and crafts stations, magicians, storytellers, dance acts, roving entertainers, mascots and camel rides along the river. We’re getting tired just looking at the list of things to do – phew!
Australia Day at Fremantle
Previously marked with a stellar light show, this year Fremantle is planning something different.
What this exactly entails has yet to be revealed, but from what we hear it’ll be more culturally appropriate in respect to the local Aboriginal community.
Rumours suggest there may be a laser show, concert or family picnic on the cards, but details have yet to be confirmed. We’ll update this space when we hear more.
Australia Day Triathlon / Duathlon
Get your heart pumping and your “oi, oi, ois” out for WA’s annual triathlon / duathlon.
Whether you’re in it to win it or are a proud spectator, the Australia Day Triathlon is not one to miss on 26 January. Part of the West Australian Summer Triathlon series, it’s a family-friendly event with categories for all grades of athletes.
For those looking to swim, cycle and run, the triathlon events include junior, novice, fun and sprint categories. For those wishing to skip the swim, the duathlon is available in standard and sprint forms.
Entries close 22 January 2017.
Top free things to do on Australia Day in Perth
- Crown Perth’s Australia Day long weekend. Live entertainment, giveaways and Aussie tucker is the usual fare at Crown Perth on Australia Day. Details are still pending on this one, but we’ll keep you updated when we know more.
- Catch the 21-gun salute at Kings Park. Each year Kings Park hosts the 21-gun salute at noon from the State War Memorial and is also renowned for being a top location to see the Perth Skyshow. Entry is on a gold coin donation.
- Crash another suburb’s party. We mean this in the nicest way possible. Many of Perth’s major suburbs will be hosting their own Australia Day celebrations, so why not branch out and check out what talent and activities they’ve got to offer? Popular ones include Cottesloe and Armadale.
- Get cultured. Australia Day is not just one big party – it’s a day to remember and celebrate Australia’s history and culture. Tap into the heart of Australia Day with a trip to one of Perth’s many museums such as the Western Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
- Cool off at a water playground. January is one of Perth’s hottest months and while you and your kids can stay at home with the air conditioner cranked up to the max, you could also take them out to cool their jets at one of the city’s many water playgrounds. Examples include Hyde Park Water Playground and Ellenbrook Water Playground.
Are shops open on Australia Day in Perth?
Here are the major shopping centres that will open for Australia Day and their trading hours:
- Westfield Garden City: Open from 10am–5pm
- Westfield Carousel: Open from 11am–5pm
- Westfield Whitford City: Open from 11am–5pm
- Karrinyup: Open from 8am–6pm
- Claremont Quarter: Open from 8am-6pm. (May vary from store to store.)
You can also spend this public holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. We're throwing a True Blue Sale, celebrating Australian retailers, were you can save big on your favourite Aussie brands. Check it out here!
