Australia Day 2014 to be Celebrated in NSW and Sydney

NSW and Sydney are ready to celebrate with one of the best ever Australia Days..

Whether you're in the city, on the coast or in Regional NSW, there is plenty to see and do on Sunday 26 January.

In Sydney, more than 14 hours of great entertainment will take place on and around Sydney Harbour, with a dizzying array of activities and fun for all the family.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris said: “Thousands of NSW residents and visitors from all over the world will take the opportunity to celebrate Australia Day by participating in hundreds of events across NSW and the Harbour City. In Sydney, there is an amazing array of activities and best of all, they’re all free.”

Events include the Summer Playground in Hyde Park with performances by kids’ favourites including The Wiggles and Peppa Pig; a showcase of 700 luxury and classic vehicles for CARnivale; a summer street festival at The Rocks and all-day family entertainment at Darling Harbour culminating with the renowned Australia Day Spectacular.

“While the Harbour concerts take centre stage, the Australia Day Council has worked hard to pull together a program that is full, diverse and has something on offer for everyone around our great state,” said Mr Souris.

Australia Day in Sydney will see:

• More than 1,000 participants are expected to take part in the Body Science Great Australian Swim Series Final. Swimming enthusiasts are encouraged to join in the 2.2km swim around Farm Cove, which starts at the Opera House. Less experienced swimmers can opt for the 750m swim, or the Junior Kids 300m event where entrants swim alongside some of open waters’ best swimmers and sports stars. www.bodysciencegreataustralianswimseries.com.au
• A highlight of the Australia Day program, the Harbour Concert series in association with Destination NSW, will feature music performances by several major artists including Jessica Mauboy, Samantha Jade and Justice Crew. The concert takes place on board an impressive floating stage, with the best vantage point for visitors located at Blues Point Reserve.
• Other harbour highlights include the ever-popular Ferrython races and a 21-gun salute followed by an aerial display by FA 18 Hornets from the Royal Australian Air Force. The Sydney’s Tall Ships will lead a fleet of historic vessels from Bradley’s Head to the Harbour Bridge, while the 178th Australia Day Regatta turns the harbour into an aquatic spectacle.
• In the evening, Darling Harbour becomes the site of more Australia Day activities. The Harbour Concert kicks off from 6pm with a line-up of great performers followed by the Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular with lights, more music and fabulous fireworks. www.darlingharbour.com/whats-on/australia-day.aspx
• Further south, the two-day Australian Boardriders Battle national final will take place at Sydney’s Cronulla beach. The biggest grassroots, boardriding event in Australian surfing history involves more than 100 of Australia's best boardriding clubs. The national final will see 16 clubs battle it out for the title over the Australia Day Long Weekend. www.australianboardridersbattle.com

Full details of the Australia Day 2014 program are available at www.australiaday.com.au

Further afield in Regional NSW Australia Day events include:

•  In Gunnedah, activities include the annual raft and craft race, free entry to the town’s pool, the rubber duck race, a pet parade, free family breakfast and a brand new event, the dog dash.
• In Young, Australia Day activities start with a barbecue breakfast. The Young Shire Band will keep everyone entertained while bush poetry and dancing provide a touch of country style.
• Australia Day at Carcoar, the third oldest settlement in the Blue Mountains, is busy with more than 60 street stalls, Cobb & Co. coach rides, music, wood chopping demonstrations, children's rides, games and great food.
• In Goulburn, Australia Day features an official ceremony and plenty of family fun with markets, rides and entertainment. Local musicians will perform while classic cars and vintage farm machinery roll into town.
• At Shellharbour on the South Coast, join in the annual Australia Day breakfast on the shores of Lake Illawarra from 7.00am. The day’s events also feature a citizenship ceremony, free entertainment, face painting, and a sand modelling competition.
• Bombala, in the foothills of Kosciuszko National Park, celebrates Australia Day in conjunction with two other local events, the Monaro Wool and Wood Festival and the Lavender Festival. A busy day of celebrations includes wood chopping and chainsaw events, wood carving, sheep-shearing competitions and much more. You’ll even have the chance to learn all about lavender with distilling and information sessions throughout the day.
• The 2014 Saltwater Freshwater Festival will be held in Kempsey on Australia Day. The festival moves to a different location on the Mid North Coast each Australia Day providing a range of positive, healthy, family-friendly activities for everyone. The only Aboriginal cultural festival of its kind in the State, it features arts, music, dance, workshops and authentic Aboriginal cultural traditions.

For more information go to Sydney.com or visitnsw.com