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85-531: 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 . In the present, the government Australia Day Council organises events that seek to recognise the contributions of Australians to
170-544: A longboat and two cutters up the coast to sound the entrance and examine Cook's Port Jackson. Phillip first stayed overnight at Camp Cove , just inside the South Head, then moved up the harbour, landing at Sydney Cove and then Manly Cove, before returning to Botany Bay on the afternoon of 24 January. Phillip returned to Sydney Cove in HM Armed Tender Supply on 26 January 1788, where he established
255-540: A "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation" and is an "inspirational role model for the Australian community". Subcategories of the award include Young Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year , and an award for Australia's Local Hero . Research in 2009 indicated that Australians reflect on history and future fairly equally on Australia Day. Of those polled, 43% agreed that history
340-594: A committee to celebrate Australia Day was formed, and the date chosen was 30 July, on which many fund-raising efforts were run to support the war effort. It was also held in July in subsequent years of World War I: on 28 July 1916, 27 July 1917, and 26 July 1918. The idea of a national day to be celebrated on 26 January was slow to catch on, partly because of competition with Anzac Day . Victoria adopted 26 January as Australia Day in 1931, and by 1935, all states of Australia were celebrating 26 January as Australia Day (although it
425-472: A feature of the day. The Australia Day Achievement Medallion is awarded to citizens by local governments based on excellence in both government and non-government organisations. The governor-general and prime minister both address the nation. On the eve of Australia Day each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian of the Year award, presented to an Australian citizen who has shown
510-608: A great deal of work focused on habitat restoration and restoring the biodiversity of the harbour, including a major program called the Sydney Harbour Research Program around 2012, led by Emma Johnston . Project Restore is an ongoing large-scale project by SIMS and its partner universities that aims to restore different habitat types at the same time, to restore seascapes in Sydney Harbour. It encompasses four projects already under way, including
595-822: A much larger fleet than would probably ever seek for shelter or security in it." Royal Navy officer David Blackburn also described it as a "fine Harbour as Any in the World, with water for any Number of the Largest ships." The Great White Fleet , the United States Navy battle fleet, arrived in Port Jackson in August 1908 by order of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt . From 1938, seaplanes landed in Sydney Harbour on Rose Bay , making this Sydney's first international airport. In 1942, to protect Sydney Harbour from
680-577: A new outdoor art installation in 2019 designed to acknowledge, remember and recognise Aboriginal people who have contributed to the community. Featuring the People's March and the Voyages Concert, Melbourne 's events focus strongly on the celebration of multiculturalism. In Perth, for many years until 2022, the Skyworks were the largest single event presented each Australia Day. Since 2012, with
765-642: A service to or from private wharfs and houses on the waterfront. Sightseeing harbour cruises are operated daily from Circular Quay. Whale watching excursions are also operated from Port Jackson. The Mortlake Ferry , also known as the Putney Punt, crosses the Parramatta River, connecting Mortlake and Putney. Australian National Maritime Museum , at Darling Harbour , has themed exhibitions ranging from Indigenous lore and European seafaring to aquatic sport and maritime defence. Sydney Heritage Fleet
850-471: A small island located north-east of the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney Harbour. There are fortifications at Sydney Heads and elsewhere, some of which are now heritage listed. The earliest date from the 1830s, and were designed to defend Sydney from seaborn attack or convict uprisings. There are four historical fortifications located between Taronga Zoo and Middle Head, Mosman , they are:
935-479: A submarine attack, the Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net was constructed. It spanned the harbour from Green (Laings) Point, Watsons Bay to the battery at Georges Head , on the other side of the harbour. On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines entered the harbour, one of which became entangled in the western end of the boom net's central section. Unable to free their submarine,
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#17327808388591020-634: A team at Deakin University found in November 2021 that 60% of all respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed with changing the date, whereas in June 2023 this figure had dropped to 56%. Asked whether they approved of celebrating Australia Day on 26 January, respondents under the age of 35 disapproved respectively by 53% and 57%, while those aged 35 to 54 disapproved respectively by 35% and 42%. The authors observe: "while younger Australians might be leading
1105-694: Is Sydney's last remaining deepwater port able to supply the City's ongoing demand for dry bulk goods such as sugar, gypsum and cement. Most of Sydney's port infrastructure has moved south to Botany Bay since the construction of the first container terminals there in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Former: Current: Sydney Ferries operate services from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island , Double Bay , Manly , Mosman , Neutral Bay , Parramatta , Pyrmont Bay , Taronga Zoo and Watsons Bay . Water taxi and water limousine operators offer transport not restricted by timetables or specific routes, and can also provide
1190-572: Is a drowned river valley, or ria . It is 19 km long with an area of 55 km . The estuary's volume at high tide is 562 million cubic metres. The perimeter of the estuary is 317 kilometres. According to the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales , Port Jackson is "a harbour which comprises all the waters within an imaginary line joining North Head and South Head. Within this harbour lies North Harbour, Middle Harbour and Sydney Harbour." Port Jackson extends westward from
1275-563: Is a largely volunteer organisation dedicated to the restoration and operation of heritage vessels. The barque James Craig of the SHF sails regularly from Port Jackson. RAN Heritage Centre at Garden Island has many exhibits, artefacts and documents relating to the history of the Royal Australian Navy. Port Jackson is associated with the voyages of Richard Siddins . The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) has done
1360-933: Is bridged from north to south by the Sydney Harbour Bridge , the Gladesville Bridge , the Ryde Bridge , and the Silverwater Bridge . Other bridges spanning Port Jackson waterways are Pyrmont Bridge spanning Darling Harbour; the Anzac Bridge (formerly known as the Glebe Island Bridge), spanning Blackwattle Bay; the Iron Cove Bridge spanning Iron Cove ; the Spit Bridge spanning Middle Harbour;
1445-611: Is focused largely on events such as the Australian of the Year Awards announcement and Citizenship Ceremonies. Possibly reflecting a shift in Australians' understanding of the place of Indigenous Australians in their national identity, Newspoll research in November 2009 reported that ninety percent of Australians polled believed "it was important to recognise Australia's indigenous people and culture" as part of Australia Day celebrations. A similar proportion (89%) agreed that "it
1530-627: Is important to recognise the cultural diversity of the nation". Some Australians regard Australia Day as a symbol of the adverse impacts of British settlement on Australia's Indigenous peoples. In 1888, prior to the first centennial anniversary of the First Fleet landing on 26 January 1788, New South Wales premier Henry Parkes was asked about inclusion of Aboriginal people in the celebrations. He replied: "And remind them that we have robbed them?" The 150th anniversary celebrations in 1938 were accompanied by an Aboriginal Day of Mourning , declared by
1615-642: Is located within a lighthouse just south of Georges Head at Georges Heights in Mosman and is adjacent to the suburbs of Vaucluse , Point Piper and Watsons Bay , which are on Port Jackson's east side towards the Pacific Ocean. Sydney Cove , a bay in Port Jackson's west side that includes Circular Quay , is more proximate to the Observatory Hill weather station, and therefore the climate data below does not apply to that vicinity. Port Jackson
1700-543: Is often an official public holiday . Many countries have more than one national day. Denmark and the United Kingdom are the only countries without a national day. Denmark has what is not a public holiday but an unofficial celebration called Constitution Day . National days emerged with the age of nationalism , with most appearing during the 19th and 20th centuries. National day may also be known as Independence Day , Liberation Day , or Republic Day , depending on
1785-414: Is the most important thing to think about on Australia Day and 41% said they look towards "our future", while 13% thought it was important to "think about the present at this time" and 3% were unsure. Despite the date reflecting the arrival of the First Fleet, contemporary celebrations are not particularly historical in their theme. There are no large-scale re-enactments and the national leader's participation
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#17327808388591870-458: The Endeavour sailed past the entrance at Sydney Heads , Cook wrote in his journal "at noon we were...about 2 or 3 miles from the land and abrest of a bay or harbour within there appeared to be a safe anchorage which I called Port Jackson." Eighteen years later, Port Jackson saw the arrival of the First Fleet . On 21 January 1788, after arriving at Botany Bay , Governor Arthur Phillip took
1955-792: The Aborigines Progressive Association and the Australian Aborigines League as a protest against the "Whiteman's seizure of our country". At the bicentennial celebrations in 1988, large gathering of Aboriginal people in Sydney led an "Invasion Day" commemoration marking the loss of Indigenous culture. Some Indigenous figures and others continue to label Australia Day as "Invasion Day", and protests occur almost every year, sometimes at Australia Day events. Thousands of people participate in protest marches in capital cities on Australia Day; estimates for
2040-570: The Australia Day Honours list and addresses from the governor-general and prime minister . It is an official public holiday in every state and territory. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia. The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved since
2125-501: The Australian Public Service , permit employees to work on Australia Day and take another day off. Polling by Essential Media since 2015 suggested that the number of people celebrating Australia Day was declining, indicating a shift in attitudes. In 2019, 40% celebrated the day; in 2020, 34%. In 2021 it was down to 29%, and in that year, 53% said that they were treating the day as just a public holiday. Polls by
2210-562: The Australian of the Year awards and the Australia Day Honours (introduced in 1975) started being performed on Australia Day from around the 1950s onwards. After 1988, participation in Australia Day increased, and in 1994 all states and territories began to celebrate a unified public holiday on 26 January – regardless of the day of the week – for the first time. Previously, some states had celebrated
2295-535: The Barangaroo development. White Bay and adjacent Glebe Island have been working ports since the mid-1800s, handling just about everything from timber and paper, coal, sugar and cement to cars and containers. The NSW Government identified both as vital to the City's economy and in March 2013 announced its commitment to maintaining both as working ports as it frees up neighbouring bays for public access. Glebe Island
2380-782: The Middle Head Fortifications , the Georges Head Battery , the Lower Georges Heights Commanding Position and a small fort located on Bradleys Head , known as the Bradleys Head Fortification Complex . The forts were built from sandstone quarried on site and consist of various tunnels, underground rooms, open batteries and casemated batteries, shell rooms, gunpowder magazines , barracks and trenches. Geologically, Port Jackson
2465-780: The Parramatta River to Rose Hill belonged to the Wangal. The Eora inhabited Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), south to the Georges River and west to Parramatta. The first recorded European discovery of Sydney Harbour was by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. Cook named the inlet after Sir George Jackson , one of the Lords Commissioners of the British Admiralty, and Judge Advocate of the Fleet . As
2550-661: The Roseville Bridge spanning Middle Harbour; the Tarban Creek Bridge spanning Tarban Creek. The original Meadowbank Railway Bridge carried the Main Northern railway line , now reduced to pedestrian traffic only. The replacement John Whitton Bridge carries two railway tracks with piers suitable for four tracks. There is a single track rail bridge on the Carlingford railway line crossing
2635-780: The Sydney Harbour Tunnel passing underneath the Harbour to the east of the bridge was opened in August 1992. In 2005, 2010 and in 2014, the NSW Government proposed a rail tunnel be constructed to the west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Construction of an extra pair of road tunnels to the west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as part of the Sydney Metro project, was approved in January 2017 while
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2720-547: The Sydney Opera House and at many other public venues, art and literary competitions, historic re-enactments, and the opening of the Powerhouse Museum at its new location. A re-enactment of the arrival of the First Fleet took place in Sydney Harbour, with ships that had sailed from Portsmouth a year earlier taking part. The various celebrations and civic ceremonies such as citizenship ceremonies ,
2805-405: The emancipated convicts , to "celebrate their love of the land they lived in" with "drinking and merriment". The 1808 celebrations followed this pattern, beginning at sunset on 25 January and lasting into the night, the chief toast of the occasion being Major George Johnston . Johnston had the honour of being the first officer ashore from the First Fleet, having been carried from the landing boat on
2890-483: The "Living Seawalls" project, which entails covering parts of the harbour seawalls with specially-designed tiles that mimic natural microhabitats - with crevices and other features that more closely resemble natural rocks. Project Restore is partly funded by the NSW Government. Port Jackson has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: A Sydharb is a unit of volume used in Australia for water, especially in dams and harbours. One sydharb (or sydarb), also called
2975-595: The 2018 protest in Melbourne ranged into tens of thousands. The anniversary is also termed by some as "Survival Day" and marked by events such as the Survival Day concert, first held in Sydney in 1992, celebrating the fact that the Indigenous people and culture have survived despite colonisation and discrimination. In 2016, National Indigenous Television chose the name "Survival Day" as its preferred choice on
3060-452: The Australian mainland, Port Jackson has continued to play a key role in the history and development of Sydney. Port Jackson, in the early days of the colony, was also used as a shorthand for Sydney and its environs. Thus, many botanists, see, e.g., Robert Brown 's Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen , described their specimens as having been collected at Port Jackson. Many recreational events are based on or around
3145-766: The First Fleet's arrival in 1788 at Sydney Cove and Captain Arthur Phillip's proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern continent on 26 January was first made outside NSW by the Australian Natives' Association (ANA), a group of white "native-born" middle-class men formed in Victoria in 1871. They dubbed the day "ANA Day". In 1888, all colonial capitals except Adelaide celebrated "Anniversary Day". In 1910, South Australia adopted 26 January as "Foundation Day", to replace another holiday known as Accession Day, which had been held on 22 January to mark
3230-579: The Harbour tunnelling was completed in March 2020. The Western Harbour Tunnel is planned to offer another motor vehicle tunnel in 2026. Permanent cruise ship terminals are located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, Sydney Cove and at the White Bay Cruise Terminal at White Bay . White Bay's evolution to a cruise terminal came with the closure of Darling Harbour terminal to make way for
3315-470: The Monday closest to the anniversary. The Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 came into effect on 26 January 1949, creating Australian citizenship for the first time. Previously, Australian nationals were simply British subjects alongside all other members of Commonwealth of Nations ; now they were both British subjects and Australian citizens. Historian Ken Inglis wrote in 1967 that Australia Day
3400-417: The Parramatta River near Camellia . Bennelong Bridge over Homebush Bay connects Wentworth Point and Rhodes A weir between Queens Avenue and Charles Street, Parramatta, called Charles Street Weir, separates the saltwater and tidal waters to the east from the freshwater and non-tidal waters to the west. The weir is marked right near the western (left) edge of the detailed map above. A road tunnel,
3485-545: The Ships can Anchor so close to the Shore, that at a very small expence... Port Jackson was described as a "capacious harbour, equal, if not superior to any yet known in the world", that "sheltered anchorage for the ships" and provided "a suitable landing place on rocks on the western side of the cove, relatively level land at the head of the cove , and a run of fresh water", in addition to it being "capable of affording security to
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3570-523: The accession to the throne of King Edward VII , who died in May 1910. The first Australia Day was established in response to Australia's involvement in World War I . In 1915, Ellen "Ellie" Wharton Kirke MBE, née Clements, mother of four servicemen , thought up the idea of a national day, with the specific aim of raising funds for wounded soldiers, and the term was coined to stir up patriotic feelings. In 1915
3655-403: The afternoon dinner was on the table, and a more agreeable entertainment could not have been anticipated. After dinner a number of loyal toasts were drank, and a number of festive songs given; and about 10 the company parted, well gratified with the pleasures that the meeting had afforded. In 1818, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the colony, Governor Lachlan Macquarie chose to acknowledge
3740-751: The afternoon. Meanwhile, back at Botany Bay, Captain John Hunter of HMS Sirius made contact with the French ships, and he and the commander, Captain de Clonard , exchanged greetings. Clonard informed Hunter that the fleet commander was Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse . Sirius successfully cleared Botany Bay, but the other ships were in great difficulty. Charlotte was blown dangerously close to rocks, Friendship and Prince of Wales became entangled, both ships losing booms or sails, Charlotte and Friendship collided, and Lady Penrhyn nearly ran aground. Despite these difficulties, all
3825-525: The age of 30 are much more supportive of the change than older generations. On 13 May 1787 a fleet of 11 ships, which came to be known as the First Fleet, was sent by the British Admiralty from England to New Holland. Under the command of Naval Captain Arthur Phillip, the fleet sought to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay on the coast of New South Wales, which had been explored and claimed by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. The settlement
3910-622: The back of convict James Ruse . Despite suffering the ill-effects of a fall from his gig on the way home to Annandale , Johnston led the officers of the New South Wales Corps in arresting Governor William Bligh on the following day, 26 January 1808, in what became known as the " Rum Rebellion ". Almanacs started mentioning "First Landing Day" or "Foundation Day" and successful immigrants started holding anniversary dinners. In 1817 The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser reported on one of these unofficial gatherings at
3995-567: The basis that it acknowledges the mixed nature of the day, saying that the term "recognises the invasion", but does not allow that to frame the entire story of the Aboriginal people. In response, official celebrations have tried to include Indigenous people, holding ceremonies such as the Woggan-ma-gule ceremony, held in Sydney, which honours the past and celebrates the present. Several major employers, both public and private, including
4080-485: The colony and of Arthur Phillip's governorship were read out. The vesting of all land in the reigning monarch King George III also dates from 7 February 1788. Although there was no official recognition of the colony's anniversary, with the New South Wales Almanacks of 1806 and 1808 placing no special significance on 26 January, by 1808 the date was being used by the colony's immigrants, especially
4165-480: The crew detonated charges, killing themselves in the process. A second midget submarine came to grief in Taylor's Bay, the two crew committing suicide. The third submarine fired two torpedoes at USS Chicago (both missed) before leaving the harbour. In November 2006, this submarine was found off Sydney's Northern Beaches. The anti-submarine boom net was demolished soon after World War II , and all that remains are
4250-468: The day with the first official celebration. The governor declared that the day would be a holiday for all government workers, granting each an extra allowance of "one pound [450 grams] of fresh meat", and ordered a 30-gun salute at Dawes Point – one for each year that the colony had existed. This began a tradition that was retained by the Governors that were to follow. Foundation Day, as it was known at
4335-649: The day. In September 2019, the Morrison government amended the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code to require local councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day. The official Australia Day Ambassador Program supports celebrations in communities across the nation by facilitating the participation of high-achieving Australians in local community celebrations. In 2011, 385 ambassadors participated in 384 local community celebrations. The Order of Australia awards are also
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#17327808388594420-457: The dinner, the Sydney Herald justified the decision, saying: The parties who associated themselves under the title of "United Australians" have been censured for adopting a principle of exclusiveness. It is not fair so to censure them. If they invited emigrants to join them they would give offence to another class of persons – while if they invited all they would be subject to the presence of persons with whom they might not wish to associate. That
4505-651: The exceptions of 2015 and 2020–22, a Big Blue match between Melbourne Victory FC and Sydney FC has been played annually on Australia Day. Citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held, with Australia Day now the largest occasion for the acquisition of Australian citizenship . On 26 January 2011, more than 300 citizenship ceremonies took place and around 13,000 people from 143 countries took Australian citizenship. In recent years many citizenship ceremonies have included an affirmation by existing citizens. Research conducted in 2007 reported that 78.6% of respondents thought that citizenship ceremonies were an important feature of
4590-482: The festivities from both onshore and from the decks of boats on the harbour, including the steamboat Australian and the Francis Freeling —the latter running aground during the festivities and having to be refloated the next day. Happy with the success of the regatta, the organisers resolved to make it an annual event. However, some of the celebrations had gained an air of elitism, with the "United Australians" dinner being limited to those born in Australia. In describing
4675-469: The first Day of Mourning held by the Australian Aborigines' League . In 1994 the date was fixed in all jurisdictions on 26 January when the practice by some states of holding the holiday on a Friday in late January for a long weekend was dropped. Since at least 1938, the date of Australia Day has also been a day of protest and of mourning the start of the British colonisation of Australia , characterised as an invasion in which Indigenous Australians had
4760-423: The first colony in Australia, later to become the city of Sydney. In his first dispatch from the colony back to England, Governor Phillip noted that: We got into Port Jackson early in the Afternoon, and had the satisfaction of finding the finest Harbour in the World, in which a thousand Sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security...I fixed on the one [cove] that had the best spring of Water, and in which
4845-416: The first records of celebration in 1808, with contested views on the day existing since at least 1888. Previously, the states celebrated different days that acknowledged their founding, such as Regatta Day in Tasmania, Queensland Day in Queensland or Foundation Day in Western Australia, and the celebration of the first Anniversary Day or Foundation Day (as the day was called) by New South Wales in 1818
4930-423: The flag-staff, drank the king's health, and success to the settlement, with all that display of form which on such occasions is esteemed propitious, because it enlivens the spirits, and fills the imagination with pleasing presages. The formal establishment of the Colony of New South Wales did not however occur on 26 January as is commonly assumed. It did not occur until 7 February 1788, when the formal proclamation of
5015-424: The foundations of the old boom net winch house, which can be viewed on Green (Laings) Point, Watsons Bay. Today, the Australian War Memorial has on display a composite of the two midget submarines salvaged from Sydney Harbour. The conning tower of one of the midget submarines is on display at the RAN Heritage Centre , Garden Island , Sydney. Fort Denison is a former penal site and defensive facility occupying
5100-427: The harbour itself, particularly Sydney New Year's Eve celebrations. The harbour is also the starting point of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race . The waterways of Port Jackson are managed by Transport for NSW . Sydney Harbour National Park protects a number of islands and foreshore areas, swimming spots, bushwalking tracks and picnic areas. The harbour is a global hotspot for marine and estuarine diversity. At
5185-451: The harbour, including Shark Island , Clark Island , Fort Denison , Goat Island , Cockatoo Island , Spectacle Island , Snapper Island and Rodd Island . Some other former islands, including Garden Island , Glebe Island and Berry Island , have been linked to the shore by land reclamation, though their names often still contain the word "island". Two other former islands, Bennelong Island and Darling Island, are similarly now linked to
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#17327808388595270-412: The home of Isaac Nichols : On Monday the 27th ult. a dinner party met at the house of Mr. Isaac Nichols, for the purpose of celebrating the Anniversary of the Institution of this Colony under Governor Philip, which took place on 26 Jan. 1788, but this year happening upon a Sunday, the commemoration dinner was reserved for the day following. The party assembled were select, and about 40 in number. At 5 in
5355-447: The land that they had occupied for millennia forcibly taken. Some observe 26 January as Invasion Day , Survival Day or as a Day of Mourning, as a counter-observance to the national day. Some counter-observers and others have called for the date of Australia Day to be changed or the holiday to be abolished entirely. Support for changing the date has been a minority position; however, polls from 2021 have indicated that Australians under
5440-410: The mainland, but rarely mentioned as islands. The former Dawes Island was joined to another small island to create Spectacle Island. Exposed at low tide is Sow and Pigs Reef , a well-known navigation obstacle near the main shipping lane. Port Jackson has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ) with warm, somewhat humid summers and mild to cool winters, with moderate rainfall spread throughout
5525-461: The many events held in communities across Australia. These official events are presented by the National Australia Day Council , an official council or committee in each state and territory, and local committees. In Sydney, the harbour is a focus and boat races are held, such as a ferry race and the tall ships race. In Adelaide, the key celebrations are "Australia Day in the City" which is a parade, concert and fireworks display held in Elder Park, with
5610-429: The miniature steamer Firefly ) to view the proceedings from the water. At midday 50 guns were fired from Dawes' Battery as the Royal Standard was raised, and in the evening rockets and other fireworks lit the sky. The dinner was a smaller affair than the previous year, with only 40 in attendance compared to the 160 from 1837, and the anniversary as a whole was described as a "day for everyone". Prior to 1888, 26 January
5695-577: The nation and its history. Nations that are not broadly recognized sovereign states are shown in pink. Defunct states are highlighted in light grey. For nations that are dependent on, or part of, a sovereign state (such as federal states, autonomous regions , or colonies), the name of the sovereign state is shown in parentheses. Days that are not fixed to the Gregorian calendar are sorted by their occurrences. Note: Not to be confused with Independence Day (Myanmar) Port Jackson Port Jackson , commonly known as Sydney Harbour , consists of
5780-430: The nation, while also encouraging reflection on past wrongs including towards Indigenous Australians and also giving respect and celebrating the diversity and achievements of Australian society past and present. The presentation of community awards and citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held on the day. The holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of
5865-498: The next day, 25 January. However, during 24 January, they spotted the ships Astrolabe and Boussole , flying the French flag, at the entrance to Botany Bay; they were having as much trouble getting into the bay as the First Fleet was having getting out. On 25 January the gale was still blowing; the fleet tried to leave Botany Bay, but only HMS Supply made it out, carrying Arthur Phillip, Philip Gidley King , some marines and about 40 convicts; they anchored in Sydney Cove in
5950-480: The public holiday on a Monday or Friday to provide a long weekend . Research conducted in 2007 reported that 28% of Australians polled attended an organised Australia Day event and a further 26% celebrated with family and friends. This reflected the results of an earlier research project where 66% of respondents anticipated that they would actively celebrate Australia Day 2005. Outdoor concerts, community barbecues, sports competitions, festivals and fireworks are some of
6035-423: The push for change, there is a shift towards change in all age groups". National day A national day is a day on which celebrations mark the statehood or nationhood of a state or its people . It may be the date of independence , of becoming a republic , of becoming a federation , or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler (such as a birthday, accession , or removal). The national day
6120-519: The remaining ships finally managed to clear Botany Bay and sail to Sydney Cove on 26 January. The last ship anchored there at about 3 pm. So it was on 26 January that a landing was made at Sydney Cove and clearing of the ground for an encampment immediately began. Then, according to Phillip's account: In the evening of the 26th the colours were displayed on shore, and the Governor, with several of his principal officers and others, assembled round
6205-630: The single entrance known as Sydney Heads (North and South Heads) and encompasses all tidal waters within North Harbour, Middle Harbour , Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour , Parramatta River and Lane Cove River . The harbour is heavily embayed. The bays on the south side tend to be wide and rounded, whereas those on the north side are generally narrow inlets. Many of these bays include beaches . The Sydney central business district extends from Circular Quay . East to west, north side: East to west, south side There are several islands within
6290-486: The site of their landing Sydney Cove, after the Home Secretary, Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney . They also made contact with the local Aboriginal people. They returned to Botany Bay on the evening of 23 January, when Phillip gave orders to move the fleet to Sydney Cove the next morning, 24 January. That day, there was a huge gale blowing, making it impossible to leave Botany Bay, so they decided to wait till
6375-580: The time of the European arrival and colonisation, the land around Port Jackson was inhabited by the Eora clans, including the Gadigal , Cammeraygal , and Wangal . The Gadigal inhabited the land stretching along the south side of Port Jackson from what is now South Head, in an arc west to the present Darling Harbour . The Cammeraygal lived on the northern side of the harbour. The area along the southern banks of
6460-485: The time, continued to be officially celebrated in New South Wales, and in doing so became connected with sporting events. One of these became a tradition that is still continued today: in 1837 the first running of what would become the Australia Day regatta was held on Sydney Harbour . Five races were held for different classes of boats, from first class sailing vessels to watermen 's skiffs , and people viewed
6545-588: The waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour , North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney , New South Wales , Australia . The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (part of the South Pacific Ocean ). It is the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge . The location of the first European settlement and colony on
6630-592: The year. Due to its exposed proximity to the Tasman Sea, it is slightly cooler, wetter and windier than Observatory Hill to the west. In addition to featuring the lowest maximum summer temperatures in the Sydney region (averaging just 24.4 °C (75.9 °F)), Port Jackson is also least affected by extreme heat due to frequent sea breezes . Conversely, winter nights are among the warmest in Sydney, and rarely dip below 8.0 °C (46.4 °F), although fog often occurs and may be disruptive. Port Jackson's weather station
6715-465: Was a good reason. The "Australians" had a perfect right to dine together if they wished it, and no one has a right to complain. The following year, 1838, was the 50th anniversary of the founding of the colony, and as part of the celebrations Australia's first public holiday was declared. The regatta was held for a second time, and people crowded the foreshores to view the events, or joined the five steamers ( Maitland , Experiment , Australia , Rapid , and
6800-417: Was held on the anniversary day – Wednesday 26 January. However, it was also a declared a Day of Mourning by the Aborigines Progressive Association and the Australian Aborigines League as a protest against the "Whiteman's seizure of our country". The Commonwealth and state governments agreed to unify the celebrations on 26 January as "Australia Day" in 1946, although the public holiday was instead taken on
6885-541: Was not celebrated publicly in Canberra at that time. In 1988, the celebration of 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet was organised on a large scale as the Australian Bicentenary , with many significant events taking place in all major cities. Over 2.5 million people attended the event in Sydney. These included street parties, concerts, including performances on the steps and forecourt of
6970-553: Was seen as necessary because of the loss of the Thirteen Colonies in North America. The Fleet arrived between 18 and 20 January 1788, but it was immediately apparent that Botany Bay was unsuitable. On 21 January, Phillip and a few officers travelled to Port Jackson , 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to the north, to see if it would be a better location for a settlement. They stayed there until 23 January; Phillip named
7055-415: Was seen in a similar light. Following Federation in 1901, moves for a national holiday gained pace (prompted by lobbying by the Australian Natives' Association which celebrated ANA Day), with the name Australia Day and the date of 26 January finally selected in 1935, with a public holiday at or around that date in all states in 1940. The first prominent protest also occurred around this time in 1938, with
7140-471: Was still known as Anniversary Day in New South Wales). The name "Foundation Day" persisted in local usage. The 150th anniversary of British settlement in Australia in 1938 was widely celebrated. Preparations began in 1936 with the formation of a Celebrations Council. In that year, New South Wales was the only state to abandon the traditional long weekend, and the annual Anniversary Day public holiday
7225-465: Was very much a New South Wales affair, as each of the colonies had its own commemoration for its founding. In Tasmania, Regatta Day occurred initially in December to mark the anniversary of the landing of Abel Tasman . South Australia celebrated Proclamation Day on 28 December. Western Australia had its own Foundation Day (now Western Australia Day ) on 1 June. The decision to mark the occasion of
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