🦘 Days Until Australia Day
There are
days until Australia Day (January 26)
Related holidays
About Australia Day
Australia Day is observed on January 26th, marking the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, in 1788. The holiday is celebrated with community events, barbecues, fireworks, concerts, citizenship ceremonies, and Australian of the Year awards. While many Australians celebrate it as a day of national pride, the date is also a day of mourning and protest for Indigenous Australians, who refer to it as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day" to recognize the impact of colonization on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
How to prepare for Australia Day
Plan a classic Aussie barbecue with lamb chops, snags (sausages), prawns, and pavlova for dessert. Head to the beach early to secure a good spot — January is peak summer in Australia. Check your city's events guide for fireworks, concerts, and community festivals. Apply sunscreen generously and stay hydrated — Australia Day falls during some of the hottest weather of the year. Take time to learn about Indigenous Australian history and perspectives, and consider attending a local Survival Day event to hear First Nations voices.
Traditions and customs
Australia Day marks the arrival of the British First Fleet at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. It is celebrated with barbecues, beach outings, fireworks, concerts, community festivals, citizenship ceremonies, and the Australian of the Year awards. Falling in peak summer, it is a quintessential outdoor holiday. For many Indigenous Australians, however, the date is a day of mourning known as Invasion Day or Survival Day, and it remains the subject of ongoing national debate.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Australia Day?
- Australia Day is January 26th, a fixed date and a national public holiday across all states and territories.
- What does Australia Day commemorate?
- It marks the landing of the British First Fleet at Port Jackson (Sydney) and the raising of the British flag on January 26, 1788.
- Why is Australia Day controversial?
- Many Indigenous Australians regard January 26 as the start of colonization and dispossession, calling it Invasion Day or Survival Day. There is an ongoing national conversation about whether to change the date.