Australia Day falls on Tuesday 26 January 2027, a public holiday, and Sydney Harbour hosts the country's largest free programme: a First Nations ceremony at Barangaroo at sunrise, the Ferrython and tall ships at midday, and a concert with fireworks at the Opera House at night. This guide covers what is on, where to watch and how to get there by train from Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney in Summer Hill, where every booking includes free secured parking and rooms start from $140.
Australia Day 2027 in Sydney: the key facts
The Sydney programme is delivered by Destination NSW on behalf of the Australia Day Council of NSW, every harbour event is free to watch from the foreshore, and the council's website already lists the 2027 harbour schedule, with the concert line-up to be announced in January.
The 2026 edition ran on Monday 26 January 2026 with the same shape, from a dawn reflection on the Opera House sails to the evening concert. With the holiday on a Tuesday in 2027, many visitors stay from the Saturday and make a long weekend of it.
The harbour programme, from WugulOra to the fireworks
The day opens with the WugulOra Morning Ceremony on the Walumil Lawns at Barangaroo Reserve from 7:30 am to 8:30 am, a free ceremony on the harbour shore with a ceremonial flame arrival, a smoking ceremony, a Welcome to Country and performances by First Nations artists. At 10:30 am the NSW Government citizenship ceremony takes place on the Opera House forecourt, and councils across Sydney hold their own the same morning.
Harbourfest fills the water off Circular Quay from 10:30 am to 4 pm, and the evening belongs to Australia Day Live, a free-ticketed concert on the Opera House forecourt that closes with fireworks and is broadcast live on ABC TV and iview. Times below are as listed for 2027 by the Australia Day Council of NSW.
- 11:55 am Midday Salute: 21-gun salute from Bradfield Park with a Navy and RAAF flyover
- 12:10 pm Ferrython: Sydney ferries race to the Harbour Bridge
- 1 pm Tall Ships Race and the Harbour Parade of decorated vessels
- 1:30 pm the 191st Australia Day Regatta, racing until 6 pm
- Evening: Australia Day Live concert and fireworks at the Opera House
Where to watch the harbour events
Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt are the natural grandstand, with the Ferrython finishing at the Harbour Bridge in front of you. For WugulOra and a quieter view of the tall ships, Barangaroo Reserve is a short walk from Wynyard station, and Bradfield Park at Milsons Point, where the 21-gun salute is fired, is one train stop across the harbour from Wynyard.
Circular Quay is also the ferry hub, so a regular ferry to Manly or Taronga Zoo puts you on the water among the parade, and The Rocks foreshore is a fine spot for the evening fireworks.
Getting there and back by train on the public holiday
Summer Hill station is a 400 m walk from the motel, about four to five minutes, on the T2 Inner West & Leppington line. Trains reach Central in about 15 minutes and Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Martin Place in about 15 to 20 minutes; Milsons Point is a train across the bridge from Wynyard.
A public holiday timetable runs on 26 January and trains run late after the fireworks; check Transport for NSW for the day's timetable. Leave the car in the motel's free car park, as parking in the city is paid.
Practical tips for the day
Late January is high summer, so pack a hat, sunscreen and a refillable bottle, filled from the motel's free Purezza premium water refills; the trees at the Botanic Garden end of the forecourt and the grass at Barangaroo are the shady spots. Free tickets for Australia Day Live are released on the Australia Day Live page in January. For a long weekend, the Bondi to Coogee walk and a Manly ferry are the classic summer add-ons.
Where to stay for Australia Day 2027
Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney is an independent 3.5-star motel at 42-44 Parramatta Road, Summer Hill, about 6.5 km west of the Sydney CBD and a four-minute walk from Summer Hill station. Rooms are from $140 a night Monday to Thursday and from $200 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, public holidays and high seasons, so Tuesday 26 January 2027 is from $200 and the midweek nights around it from $140. Single, queen, deluxe and family rooms sleep up to five, each air-conditioned with a private ensuite, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster.
Every booking includes one free secured undercover parking spot with gated, CCTV-monitored 24-hour access, free unlimited Wi-Fi and free Purezza premium water refills. Reception is open 24 hours, check-in is from 2 pm and check-out by 10 am, and arrivals after 11 pm are welcome with a small late check-in fee. There is no restaurant on site; Summer Hill's cafes and bakeries are a short walk away. Book direct on the website or on 02 8880 8320 for the best rate with no booking fees.
Why guests choose us
Australia Day on the harbour, by train
- WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo from 7:30 am
- Ferrython, tall ships and the Midday Salute off Circular Quay
- Australia Day Live concert and fireworks at the Opera House
- Direct trains to Circular Quay in about 15 to 20 minutes
- One free secured undercover parking spot per booking
- Public holiday night from $200, midweek from $140
Gallery
A look around & nearby
Photos: The Bennelong Restaurant - Sydney Opera House (16610143376) by Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Coming up in Sydney this January
- 2026/27 WS Wanderers A League Season (v Macarthur FC)1 Jan 2027 · CommBank Stadium
- Field Day 20271 Jan 2027 · The Domain
- 2026/27 A-League Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar FC2 Jan 2027 · Allianz Stadium
- BBL - Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers2 Jan 2027 · ENGIE Stadium
- NRMA Insurance Pink Test - Australia v New Zealand4 – 7 Jan 2027 · Sydney Cricket Ground
- United Cup - Sydney - Night Session5 Jan 2027 · Ken Rosewall Arena
- United Cup - Sydney - Day Session6 Jan 2027 · Ken Rosewall Arena
- United Cup - Sydney - Night Session - Quarter Final 17 Jan 2027 · Ken Rosewall Arena
Frequently asked questions
What is on in Sydney for Australia Day 2027?
The free harbour programme runs all day on Tuesday 26 January 2027: WugulOra at Barangaroo from 7:30 am, Harbourfest off Circular Quay from 10:30 am to 4 pm with the Ferrython, tall ships and regatta, and the Australia Day Live concert with fireworks at the Opera House in the evening.
Are there fireworks in Sydney on Australia Day 2027?
Yes. Fireworks close the Australia Day Live concert on the Opera House forecourt on the evening of 26 January, visible from Circular Quay and The Rocks foreshore, and the concert is broadcast live on ABC TV and iview.
Where is the best place to watch the Ferrython and tall ships?
Circular Quay and the Opera House forecourt, where the Ferrython finishes at the Harbour Bridge. Barangaroo Reserve, a short walk from Wynyard, and Bradfield Park at Milsons Point, where the salute is fired, are the other classic spots.
Do trains run on Australia Day in Sydney?
Yes. A public holiday timetable runs on 26 January, with trains late into the night after the concert. From Summer Hill station it is about 15 to 20 minutes to Circular Quay.
How much is a hotel in Sydney on Australia Day 2027?
At Marco Polo Motor Inn Sydney the public holiday night of Tuesday 26 January 2027 is from $200 and Monday to Thursday nights from $140, with free secured parking and 24-hour reception. Booking direct has no booking fees.
Book online here
Stay for Australia Day 2027
Rooms from $140 midweek and from $200 on the public holiday, with free secured parking and direct trains to Circular Quay.