Things to do in Sydney on January 26

Start the day by taking a moment to reflect on the marked history of Gadigal land, by honouring our First Nations people at this visually stunning and poignant event. Spectacular First Nations artowrk will light up the sails of the Opera House, and both the Australian and Aboriginal flags will be raised on the arc of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a symbol of unity.

Led by First Nations people, this poignant smoking ceremony will take place from 7.30am on January 26 at Barangaroo Reserve, with the intention of cleansing the way for new beginnings and paying respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation through music, dance, language, storytelling and ceremony. Alongside performances and addresses given by dignitaries, the ceremony will involve the singing of the Australian National Anthem in both English and Eora, the local Aboriginal language. The word WugulOra translates to mean "one mob", and this event is one of unity and reconciliation.

Back for its ninth year, this annual harbour swim will see swimmers of all abilities take to the water for a worthy cause. Choose between a one kilometre, two and a half kilometre or five kilometre course that will take you from Rose Bay across Sydney's stunning harbour. 

While the new iteration of the Powerhouse Museum is under construction, the organisation has partnered with the University of Sydney to hand the mic to First Nations community on January 26 for an empowering event brought to life by We Are Warriors. Blak Powerhouse is an evening of live music, dance, performance, art, food, discussion and more for all: mob, allies and advocates. The line-up features performances from celebrated First Nations artisits including Budjerah, Kobie Dee and Zipporah. Tickets are free, but you'll need to RSVP here.

If you want to take the day off work to get out of town and clear your head with a good dose of nature, the swimming spots around Sydney are just the ticket. Before you go, it's worth researching the traditional custodians of the land and taking note of any cultural significance the particular swimming spot you're visiting may hold to First Nations communities.

Sydney's annual Invasion Day or Day of Mourning rally will take place again in 2025, as January 26 marks 237 years since British military forces invaded Gadigal land and declared British rule over this continent. First Nations people and allies are invited to participate in an act of resistance against continuing systemic racism, First Nations deaths in custody and the colonial project. 

Plenty of restaurants will still be open on the public holiday – meaning a good lunch isn't out of the question. And although this city ain’t cheap, it's also overflowing with restaurants serving up stellar stuff at prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Click here to find out about the eateries we reckon are well worth their salt.

This long-running Survival Day gathering in Victoria Park near Broadway provides a space for people to share in the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every year. Meaning 'music to a beat' in Gadigal language, this largest gathering of First Nations cultures in Australia is coming back for its 24th year in 2025. Typically, the Invasion Day rally marches straight here.

If you're keen to spend the long weekend away from the city, we don't blame you. In NSW, you don’t need to travel far to make a couple of nights away feel like a proper holiday. Whether you’re in the mood for a beach break, a hike in the mountains, or an escape to the country, we’ve found a host of getaway destinations that are easily accessible from Sydney.

The Australian Museum celebrates First Nations culture in the astounding permanent shows of  Baylala Nura: Yarning for Country, and Garrigarrang: Sea Country. Each one of these diverse exhibitions each features fascinating artefacts, unknown stories and gorgeous art pieces that all turn what you thought you knew about this country on its head. Head here on January 26 to look back on this country's untold history, interrogate the lasting impacts of colonisation and the denial of Indigenous sovereignty. Level up your visit by joining one of the tours led by knowledgeable First Nations guides.

Swimmers are winners in our emerald city by the sea, so it’s no surprise that there are countless spots across Sydney where you can take the plunge. Take the day to immerse in a body of water and reflect on the beauty of Gadigal land. 

Whether you're visiting from overseas or a curious local looking to get beyond the basics (Dot paintings? Bark paintings? Just the tip of the iceberg), we've rounded up the best places to see the best of Australia's diverse Indigenous art practice.

From easy breezy coastal walks to half-day bush hikes and multi-day expeditions, Sydney’s blessed with many different walking paths that’ll suit amblers of all abilities. Take a look at our list of 13 walks in Sydney that’ll take you over dramatic sandstone cliffs, cobbled stone paths, sandy inlets and well-trodden boardwalks.

Rain or shine, head out on a journey of discovery at these all-weather-friendly houses of knowledge. You'll learn about fascinating natural histories, scientific endeavours, design innovations and the many surprising stories that have made this city (and beyond) everything it is today. There's also plenty to learn about the history of First Nations people and the land we call home.

In the era of targeted social media marketing, we can't deny that retail therapy is real. As you're clicking and swiping away, make your spending into a statement and spend with these First Nations designers and businesses – many of which are based in Warrang (Sydney) and communities around New South Wales. Read on for our list.

To help you pick from Sydney's wealth of sandy stretches to spend your time away from the office, we’ve cast our discerning eyes across almost every beach in the city, awarding points for accessibility, natural beauty, range of facilities and unique charms. We’ve tallied the results and tabulated the scores – this os our definitive guide to the best beaches in Sydney.

Sydney is one pretty city, but it’s got nothing on the breathtaking vistas of the Blue Mountains. Just two hours west of Sydney's bustling urban heart, this vast, largely untouched wilderness, spanning some 11,400 square kilometres, is crisscrossed with walking trails that take in some of the most spectacular corners of the region. From forested canyons to towering rocks and majestic waterfalls, you’ll find them all on these top bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. 

The area is located within the Country of six first nations: the Darkinjung, Dharawal, Dharug, Gundungurra, Wonnarua and Wiradjuri. Take some time while you're there to learn about and reflect on the history of the traditional custodians.

If you want to really switch off and take time to connect to a different reality on this public holiday, Sydney's open-air cinemas should help. From blockbusters to tearjerkers, rom-coms to thrillers, you can catch an exceptional range of alfresco flicks across the city thanks to a proliferation of popcorn-offering spots popping up across the city. We've rounded up the best of them.

It’s important that every single Australian is reading, learning, doing research, speaking up and donating to causes that work to minimise everyday injustices and make serious moves to change institutionalised racism. We’ve gathered together a list of some of the charities and organisations supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and PoC voices around Australia and the world. If you aren’t in a position to help financially, there are other ways you can show your support.