Celebrated since 1818, all manner of gala events take place nationwide that celebrate Australia?s birthday.

Once a day of colonial pomp and circumstance with much flag raising, citizenship ceremonies and the presentation of community awards, Australia Day now belongs to the Aussies who, in all our guises, celebrate modern Australia?s diverse community, remarkable achievements and bright future.? Sailing regattas, gourmet picnics, firework displays, surf carnivals on beaches, concerts in city parks, formal ceremonies and family entertainment are all part of this day of frivolity.

In Sydney The Harbor is the focus for many of the local festivities.? Traditionally thousands of spectators gather to watch Sydney?s commuter ferries battle it out for the coveted title of Ferry Champion in The Annual Ferrython.? Later the Harbor will fill with a spectacular array of tall ships heading a waterborne Australia Day Parade. In their wake will be a colorful display of barges, cranes, ferries, tugs, yachts, and tour boats all swathed in brightly colored flags and audacious decorations as part of the Best Dressed Vessels Competition.

Every year Darling Harbor hosts Sydney’s biggest Australia Day celebrations with an impressive line-up of free entertainment for all the family. From early in the day Darling Harbor stages the grandest of celebrations all around the precinct including face painting and interactive shows for the kids, an all-day feast of international food, performing artists, music and live bands. Creating a majestic finale to the day, a parade of tall ships sails around Cockle Bay set the scene for a dazzling extravaganza of fireworks, digital effects, pyrotechnics and music. Australia Day at Darling Harbor has become one the biggest events on the Sydney event calendar and in 2004 attracted crowds of almost 200,000 people.

The celebrations continue with evening concerts like Jazz On The Water and draw to a close in amazing fashion with the Darling Harbor Spectacular laser, lighting and fireworks display.

Be a mate and join?in the festivities!? Contact us and we’ll customize a once in a lifetime adventure to the GLORIOUS South Pacific that puts you?right in the heart of the action!