Australia Day 2026 LIVE: Astronaut named Australian of The Year; Major Sydney protests to go ahead with increased police presence

Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of Australia Day.

Here are some of the major events taking place today:

The WugulOra (meaning “one mob”) Morning Ceremony will be held at Barangaroo reserve from 7.30am, celebrating the culture of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation through dance, song, and storytelling. The event features a smoking ceremony, special performances, and speeches from the NSW governor, premier, and an address from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.

The Yabun Festival (meaning “music to a beat” in Gadigal language) is Australia’s largest annual one-day festival celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, featuring First Nations performers, speakers, market stalls and more. It will be held at Victoria Park in Camperdown from 10am to 7pm.

NSW Police have partially lifted controversial protest restrictions introduced in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, smoothing the path for today’s Invasion Day march to go ahead. The rally will kick off in Hyde Park from 10am. One of the key issues in focus for protesters is Australia recording the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1979 in 2024-2025.

The March for Australia anti-immigration demonstration is expected to start at Prince Alfred Park, south of Central Station, from noon. The event will also focus more on Australia Day and keeping the public holiday on January 26, opposing calls to mark the day on a different date.

The Australia Day Live concert will take place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, showcasing performances from Australian acts and a fireworks display on the harbour. The concert will include a tribute to the families and communities affected by the terror attack in Bondi and a performance by Sydney-based band SHIR – Australian Jewish Music Festival.

Next to Manly Surf Club is Lainey de Jager selling homemade rocky roads, raspberry eclairs and chocolate muffins emblazoned with an Australian flag.

It’s a tradition for de Jager’s swim group, who raise money though a bake sale for a charity every Australia Day.

“We do this every Australia Day — swimmers always want to give back,” the Bold and Beautiful ocean swimming group member said.

“First, we swim and sing the Australian national anthem in the ocean, but we had a few less swimmers this year because of the shark attacks.”

This year the group is raising money for One Meal, a charity that prepares 18,000 meals a week for disadvantaged people.

“Swimmers have donated all these sweets,” De Jager said. “We get good crowds every Australia Day, while people are swimming, they can do something for the community. Sometimes people grab some treats for their picnic with their family.”

Rohan Ashover has been surfing at Manly beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for six years. Riding the “beautiful” waves early on Australia Day, Ashover said it was a worthwhile start to the public holiday despite the recent spate of shark attacks.

“Beautiful conditions this public holiday. It’s gorgeous out there. It’s hard to go wrong, that’s why everyone’s coming back. It’s with the risk — [but] gorgeous out there,” he says.

Transport for NSW acting secretary Howard Collins said there would be major road closures in place today around Circular Quay and The Rocks, and delays are to be expected.

The annual Invasion Day protest will see major closures between the city centre and Camperdown between 11.30am and 1.30pm including Broadway, Pitt St, George St and surrounding roads.

The anti-immigration March for Australia demonstration will result in major closures along Cleveland St, Crown St and Fitzroy St between 12.45pm and 2.30pm. Buses and light rail services will be affected, and heavy traffic is expected while closures and detours are in place.

There are extra heavy rail train services on most metropolitan lines across Sydney. Metro rail services are running at a reduced frequency of every 10 minutes, down from every four minutes. Collins encouraged people to plan their journeys ahead.

“Public transport is the easiest way to travel to Australia Day events, as many roads around Circular Quay and The Rocks will be closed. With major transport hubs located within short walking distance, avoid the parking hassle and plan your trip by public transport to make sure you get the most out of your day,” Collins said.

A double demerit period is in place for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.

NSW Police confirm there will be an increased police presence today, warning those taking part in Australia Day events that antisocial or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.

Specialist police will be authorised to carry long-arm weapons in Sydney, which Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully said was about protection, not because of any specific threat.

“These are operational decisions made by police based on intelligence and risk assessments,” Scully said. “We’re asking everyone to respect police directions, follow the law and play their part, so Australia Day is safe and enjoyable for all.”

Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Joseph McNulty said there would also be a strong police presence on the water.

The announcement comes ahead of the Invasion Day march kicking off at Hyde Park at 10am today, and the March for Australia anti-immigration demonstration starting at noon at Prince Alfred Park.

Protest restrictions are still in place in the eastern suburbs and in most parts of Sydney’s CBD.

Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of Australia Day.

Here are some of the major events taking place today:

The WugulOra (meaning “one mob”) Morning Ceremony will be held at Barangaroo reserve from 7.30am, celebrating the culture of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation through dance, song, and storytelling. The event features a smoking ceremony, special performances, and speeches from the NSW governor, premier, and an address from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.

The Yabun Festival (meaning “music to a beat” in Gadigal language) is Australia’s largest annual one-day festival celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, featuring First Nations performers, speakers, market stalls and more. It will be held at Victoria Park in Camperdown from 10am to 7pm.

NSW Police have partially lifted controversial protest restrictions introduced in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, smoothing the path for today’s Invasion Day march to go ahead. The rally will kick off in Hyde Park from 10am. One of the key issues in focus for protesters is Australia recording the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1979 in 2024-2025.

The March for Australia anti-immigration demonstration is expected to start at Prince Alfred Park, south of Central Station, from noon. The event will also focus more on Australia Day and keeping the public holiday on January 26, opposing calls to mark the day on a different date.

The Australia Day Live concert will take place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, showcasing performances from Australian acts and a fireworks display on the harbour. The concert will include a tribute to the families and communities affected by the terror attack in Bondi and a performance by Sydney-based band SHIR – Australian Jewish Music Festival.