Australia Day is the national day to celebrate all things ‘Australian’.
Cue hot weather, beach adventures, BBQs by the pool, outdoor entertaining and a celebration and recognition of Australian history.
And don’t forget the fireworks!
Australia Day falls on Saturday 26th January 2019 with Monday 28th a public holiday. That’s three nights, three days and over 72 hours for food, relaxation and celebrations.
Stuck on what to do?
Whether you want to kick back with food, drinks and fireworks or you’re after a family-friendly event, this guide has you covered for your Australia Day long weekend.
Fringe World Long Weekend | Northbridge
The Fringe World hub is in Northbridge, but if you live further afield you can still take part with cultural events to be held across Perth and Western Australia.
From live music, comedy, theatre, dance and visual arts, Fringe World
City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks | Langley Park
Start your celebrations off with a bang!
No Aussie Day can feel complete without fireworks and the City of Perth holds one of the biggest annual celebrations at Langley Park.
Expect an action-packed day with the best views of the fireworks and fun for all ages. The FREE entertainment zone includes giant water slides to cool off with, climbing activities, bouncy castles and other inflatables for everyone to enjoy.
Guests can also watch the Birak concert at Supreme Court Gardens. Don’t forget to secure a spot early on King Park’s approved lawn areas for the fireworks display at 8pm.
Location: Langley Park and foreshore (Riverside
Drive)
Time: 3pm
activities start, fireworks at 8pm
Cost: FREE event
activities in the Langley Park Entertainment Zone
Australia Day Island Celebrations | Rottnest Island
Australia Day and the beach go together like beers and BBQs.
Take the ferry over Friday after work (or bring your own boat) and spend the long weekend on Rottnest Island. You can expect a few Australia Day boat parties on the island, as well as ample water sports and food/drink options for the entire family.
Check Hotel Rottnest in the New Year for any specials and Australia Day celebrations.
Australia Day True-Blue Seafood BBQ | Rooftop at QT
Perth’s luxurious bar The Rooftop at QT is putting on a BBQ seafood extravaganza – true Aussie style!
Perched atop the highest rooftop bar overlooking the Swan River, you’ll be able to see the fireworks show and enjoy an all-Aussie line-up of wines, beers, cocktails and seafood.
Purchase tickets here. Package gets you the seafood BBQ, spritzes and cocktails, Australian beer and wine and stunning Swan River views. Guests will also get priority access to the Rooftop from 10pm and one of the best views of the annual Australia Day fireworks.
Location: Rooftop at QT, Murry Street Perth
Date: Saturday
26th January
Time: 6pm-10pm
Cost: $145.46
City of South Perth’s Ceremony & Breakfast | Sir James Mitchell Park
Begin your Australia Day early with a morning ceremony and a great Aussie breakfast.
City of South Perth holds their annual Flag Raising Ceremony, conducted by the Australian Defence Forces, at 8am. This will be followed by a Citizenship Ceremony and you’ll also be able to enjoy a BBQ breakfast overlooking the Swan River.
This is a great event for the family, couples or early risers.
Later in the afternoon, Lotterywest’s Celebration Zone kicks off with free activities, rides and entertainment for everyone.
Location: Sir James Mitchell Park, South Perth
Foreshore, Esplanade. Map
here
Date: Saturday
26th January
Time: 8am for the
ceremony and breakfast, 3pm-7:30pm for the Celebration Zone,
fireworks at 8pm
Cost: FREE
Australia Day Beach Festival | Coogee
Sit back on Coogee beach with all of the Australia Day essentials.
Enjoy the good weather, food, drinks and live music. There will also be free water slides, amusements and activities to keep the kids (and adults) entertained.
Get down early for the free sausage sizzle (while stocks last) with other food stalls also available on site.
Feeling a little competitive? Take your chances with the watermelon eating competition at 10:30am, followed by live entertainment from classic rock band The Bad Influence.
Location: Coogee Beach Reserve, Powell Road
Date: Saturday
26th January
Time: 8am-12pm
Cost: FREE
2019 Australia Day Festival | Perry Lakes Reserve
Gum trees are an Australian icon
Celebrate Australia Day under the shady gum trees at Perry Lakes with a free breakfast BBQ and hours of entertainment and activities.
The event offers free family fun for all, including camel rides, face painting, sheep shearing, a water slide and scaly friends to meet.
Location: Perry Lakes Reserve, off Perry Lakes
Drive near Cambridge Scout Hall
Date: Saturday
26th January
Time: 8am-12.30pm
Cost: FREE
One Day Post Australia Day Celebrations | Fremantle
For those that want to continue the Australia Day celebrations, Freo has you covered with their One Day Festival.
The morning ceremony begins with a traditional Nyoongar smoke ceremony on Bathers Beach. For the rest of the day, stay entertained with music from local artists to be announced. Stay tuned here for more information.
Keep fed with bush tucker tasting and other entrainment including One Day photo portraits, paper clay making and cubby making with Nature Play Solutions. Circus WA will also be on scene for any aspiring performers wanting to learn circus skills.
Location: Esplanade Reserve, Marine Terrace
Date: Sunday
27th January
Time: TBC, early
afternoon
Cost: FREE
triple j Hottest 100
The triple j Hottest 100 has been a big part of the long weekend celebrations since the first poll in 1989.
Although it was never created as an Australia Day celebration, the station plays nothing but homegrown music all day. Although there’s been some uproar about the recent changes to Triple J Hottest 100, the date has been secured for 2019’s Australia Day long weekend for Sunday 27th.
Making use of the public holiday on Monday 28th, the station will also be counting down its Hottest 200, with Double J replaying the classic Hottest 100 of 1998 to give listeners a blast from the past.
Tune in from home, beach or park, or check your local guide for Triple J Hottest 100 countdowns.
Read more: Who will win the triple j Hottest 100
Author Bio
This article is written by Jayde Ferguson, who recommends Monsterball – Perth’s premier inflatable and bouncy castle hire company. You can catch Jayde on LinkedIn.
