Australia Day celebrations

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and raising of the Union Flag of Great Britain by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a small bay on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour.

It is also a day we pay respect to the stories, histories and contributions of the Australians who lived, worked and fought for the values and freedoms we often take for granted. And it is a day we celebrate the diversity of this nation's people with our various cultures, traditions and belief systems.

The 26 January is an important date in Australia's history that has evolved over time. Starting as a celebration for emancipated convicts, today it is a day to acknowledge past wrongs and show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' survival, resilience and enduring culture.

From dawn to dusk and into the night, there are plenty of free events and activities taking place around Sydney Harbour on January 26.

See the full list of events at What’s On in Sydney.

Ronnie J. Willis is a staff reporter for The Navigator.