Australia Day is coming up and it’s a day to celebrate Australia, its people and history as well as acknowledge the significance of January 26 to Indigenous Australians. It’s a day not only to celebrate but also to reflect and respect.
We acknowledge that Australia Day is a complex issue. On one hand, January 26 marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and is the official national day of Australia but it is also considered a day of mourning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
You can mark the day with family-friendly events happening around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter. You can also learn more about respectful First Nations engagement as well as ways to stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples.
Ngarrama – to sit, listen and know
The University of Newcastle is proud to welcome the wider community once again to Ngarrama, now in its fourth year. The free public event, in partnership with Awabakal Ltd, the City of Newcastle and NGM Group (Newcastle Greater Mutual Group), will return to King Edward Park on Saturday 25 January 2025.
Ngarrama is an invitation for all to bring along your friends, family and a picnic blanket to engage in meaningful reconciliation through truth-telling, performances, song, and historical acceptance.
Ngarrama is an opportunity for the Newcastle community to come together on the eve of Australia/Survival Day to reflect on traditional life in Mooloobinba before 1788 and to celebrate the richness and resilience of First Nations culture – in particular the Awabakal and Worimi people, the traditional owners of the land upon which Newcastle now stands.
Ngarrama translates to ‘to sit, listen, and know’. As the name captures, it will be a time for listening and quiet reflection through the sharing of stories, knowledge and culture.
Please note this is an alcohol free event, please BYO all food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Date: Saturday 25 January 2025
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location: King Edward Park, Newcastle
Cost: Ngarrama is a free event but please book a ticket in advance
Website
Twilight 2025 Australia Day Eve
Roll out the picnic blanket on the green from 6-9.30pm on Saturday 25 January 2025 as Singleton celebrates Australia Day in true Singleton style with a night of free family fun and entertainment in the Townhead Park precinct. Kids can enjoy the outdoor cinema showing family friendly flick Happy Feet, free snow cones, basket weaving, face painting, slip and slide (so bring swimmers and a towel!), obstacle course, Koorioke and colouring in while adults can relax, enjoy some food, drinks and live music.
Date: Saturday 25 January 2025
Time: 6pm-9.30pm
Location: Townhead Park, Singleton
Cost: Free
Website
Lake Mac Festival Fireworks
Lake Macquarie City Council will be putting on firework displays across the lake. Best viewing locations: Warners Bay, Toronto Foreshore and Belmont.
Date: Saturday 25 January 2025
Time: 9pm
Location: Lake Macquarie
Website
Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim 2025
Challenge yourself and join the 28th edition of Newcastle’s most iconic swim on Sunday 26 January 2025. Jump in for either the Single Crossing (700m) from Stockton to Queens Wharf or the Double Crossing (1,400m) from Queens Wharf to Stockton and back. If it’s not on your bucket list, put it there now! This is the only legal swim across our amazing working harbour. This annual event is Stockton SLSC’s major fundraiser and extra donations are possible. All proceeds stay with the club to purchase rescue craft, rash shirts for the Nippers and for the general running of the Club. Be quick, the event is limited to only 500 swimmers!
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 10am (single crossing), 11am (double crossing)
Location: Ferry Wharf, Stockton & Queens Wharf, Newcastle
Cost: $40 – $60
Website
Beach 5s Australia Day Festival 2025
Beach 5s Australia and New Zealand presents the 5th annual UGL Newcastle Beach 5’s Australia Day Festival. Beach 5s Rugby is spectacular/fast-paced/exciting, based on modified rules of Rugby Union, Rugby League and Touch Football with no line-outs, scrums or conversions. This is a festival for everyone, where all are welcome to join in the fun and excitement. Register a team or cheer from the sidelines.
Date: Saturday 25 January & Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: Visit website
Location: Nobbys Beach
Cost: Free entry for spectators
Website
Australia Day at Miss Porter’s House
Celebrate Australia Day and spend the day reliving early twentieth-century Australia with a visit to Miss Porter’s House, a prominent freestanding Edwardian home built by Herbert Porter and his wife Florence (nee Jolley) that contains a century of household memorabilia including many which reflect the family’s interest in the local area and in all things Australian.
Their freestanding Edwardian home is now a National Trust museum containing a century of household memorabilia including many which reflect their interest in the local area and all things Australian.
Date: Sunday 26 January & Monday 27 January 2025
Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: King Street, Newcastle
Cost: Adults $12, Concessions $10, Family $34, children under 5 free
Website
Australia Day in Maitland
Head on down to Maitland Park this Australia Day from 7.30am to take part in a range of family friendly games, activities, performances and more. With a free BBQ, craft activities, live entertainment, it’s a perfect morning out for the whole family!
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 7.30am-12:30pm (The Official Ceremony will take place at Maitland Town Hall from 10.30am – 12pm)
Location: Maitland Park
Cost: Free
Website
Free entry to Maitland and East Maitland Aquatic Centres
With free entry to both Maitland and East Maitland Aquatic Centres on Australia Day, it’s a fun (and free) day out for the whole family!
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Maitland Aquatic Centre and East Maitland Aquatic Centre
Cost: Free
Website
Dive In Cinema on Australia Day at Maitland Pool
As the sun sets and the evening unfolds, the fun after the daytime festivities continues as Maitland Aquatic Centre transforms into a floating cinema for Dive In Cinema.
Grab your floaties and swimwear, or simply relax by the poolside, and immerse yourself in an unforgettable movie experience under the stars.
The film night will be complete with entertainment, food, laser tag, lawn games, and free swim time. Kick back and relax in or beside the pool from 5pm, before settling in for `Babe’ (G) and `Blueback’ (PG).
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Location: Maitland Aquatic Centre
Cost: Tickets are $5 per person for an out-of-pool ticket and $10 per person for an in-pool ticket.
Book via Eventbrite.
Australia Day Awards (Cessnock)
Cessnock City Council will host the annual Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony. The Australia Day Awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise members of the community who have made a significant contribution within the community, demonstrated excellence in their field, or are considered role models for the generations to come. The winners will be announced on Australia Day 2025 at Performance Arts Culture Centre Cessnock.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: Visit website
Location: Performing Arts Culture Centre, Cessnock
Cost: Free
Website
Australia Day at Allambee Park (Valentine)
Valentine Lions Club will be holding their annual Australia Day Community Day at Allambee Park, Valentine. The event includes a free sausage sizzle, tea, coffee, and cricket. Come along and enjoy a local, community event.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 9am-11.30am
Location: Allambee Park, Valentine
Cost: Free
Website
Australia Day at Nelson Bay
Australia Day festivities at Fly Point Park, Nelson Bay include Citizenship Ceremony, RAAF fly past, live music and dancing, Army band, food Court, BBQ, hot and cold drinks, soft serve ice cream, alpaca and sheep shearing demonstrations and baby animals, markets with over 90 stalls, vintage and classic cars on display. Be amazed by JD’s World of Magic, displays and workshops. FREE flags and jumping castles for children and pony rides, FREE giant games. Optional gold coin donation in support of local charities. Ample parking is available at top of Neil Carroll Rotary Park.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: Fly Point Park, Nelson Bay
Cost: Free
Website
Australia Day at Raymond Terrace
Australia Day festivities include a Citizenship Ceremony, Port Stephens Citizen of the Year presentation, RAAF flyover, Raymond Terrace Bowling Clubs FREE Great Aussie breakfast (between 8am to 9am), food and coffee vendors, children’s amusements, all day markets, petting zoo, Hunter dragon boat race and live music.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 8am-2pm
Location: Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace
Cost: Free
Website
Pool Party at Lakeside Leisure Centre (Raymond Terrace)
There’ll be free entry, inflatables and a sausage sizzle this Australia Day at Lakeside Leisure Centre from 10am-3pm.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Lakeside Leisure Centre, Raymond Terrace
Cost: Free
Website
Australia Day at Singleton
The official Singleton Australia Day ceremony will be held at the Civic Centre on Sunday 26 January 2025. The ceremony will also be livestreamed via Singleton Council’s Facebook page and website. A BBQ breakfast will be served up from 8am, with the ceremony starting at 9.30am. The ceremony will include: Citizenship Ceremony, Australia Day guest Lieutenant Colonel Jarrod Brook, Commanding Officer School of Infantry, Announcement of Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 8am-12pm
Location: Civic Centre, Singleton
Cost: Free
Website
Australia Day at Tilligerry
Australia Day festivities will take place in Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage and will include a Great Aussie Breakfast, live music with “Jude and The Dudes” on stage, Tilligerry Auto Club display, Lemon Jam and face painting stand with Australiana “tattoos”.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Time: 8am-4pm
Location: Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage
Cost: Free
Website
You might also like:
Celebrate Australia Day in Maitland Park
Ngarrama – Sit, Listen and Know: Reconciliation in King Edward Park