Australia Day 2023: What’s On In Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter

Australia Day is coming up and it’s a day to celebrate Australia, its people and history as well as acknowledge the significance of January 26 to Indigenous Australians. It’s a day not only to celebrate but also to reflect and respect.

We acknowledge that Australia Day is a complex and contentious issue. On one hand, Australia Day marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and is the official national day of Austalia but it is also considered Invasion Day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

You can mark the day with family-friendly events happening around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter. You can also learn more what Australia Day represents for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as ways to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Australians.

NEWCASTLE

Come together on the public holiday with community activities across the city – there’s something for everyone, both on the day and before it.

Wednesday 26 January

Ngarrama – to sit, listen and know

The University of Newcastle, in partnership with Awabakal Ltd and with support from the City of Newcastle, is proud to host Ngarrama at King Edward Park on 25 January 2023 from 6:15pm to 9pm.

This is a free, family -friendly public event to engage the community in meaningful reconciliation through truth telling and historical acceptance.

Ngarrama is an opportunity for the Newcastle community to come together on the eve of Australia/Survival Day to reflect on traditional life in Mooloobinba before 1788 and to celebrate the richness and resilience of First Nations culture – in particular the Awabakal and Worimi people, the traditional owners of the land upon which Newcastle now stands. 

Ngarrama translates to ‘to sit, listen, and know’. As the name captures, it will be a time for listening and quiet reflection through the sharing of stories, knowledge and culture. 

The program will include a smoking ceremony, welcome to country, traditional dance, music, storytelling and knowledge sharing.

Bring your picnic rug to sit on the grass of Newcastle’s spectacular King Edward Park. In this beautiful setting we will connect to country and reflect on the stories we hear but also the stories the land and waters around us hold. More information here.

Thursday 26 January

Nobbys Beach Festival Markets

Indigenous culture will be on display with a smoking ceremony, Indigenous dancers and artists performing live on stage and markets from 10am until 5pm in the Nobbys Beach Precinct.

Newcastle Beach 5s Festival 2023

Beach 5s Australia and New Zealand, with the support of the City of Newcastle, will host its annual Beach 5s Rugby Festival on Nobbys Beach from 10-4.30pm on Thursday 26 January. Beach 5’s Rugby is spectacular/fast-paced/exciting, based on modified rules of Rugby Union & Rugby League – no scrums, no line-outs – supporting both codes. Watch the Beach 5s Legends Game and more (free entry for spectators).

Newcastle Harbour Swim

Challenge yourself and join the 26th edition of Newcastle’s most iconic swim on Thursday 26th January. Jump in for either the Single Crossing (700m) from Stockton to Queens Wharf or the Double Crossing (1,400m) from Queens Wharf to Stockton and back. If it’s not on your bucket list, put it there now! This is the only legal swim across our amazing working harbour.

For more information about Australia Day in Newcastle, visit the City of Newcastle website.

Australia Day at Miss Porter’s House

Celebrate Australia Day and spend the day reliving early twentieth-century Australia with a visit to Miss Porter’s House, a prominent freestanding Edwardian home built by Herbert Porter and his wife Florence (nee Jolley) that contains a century of household memorabilia including many which reflect the family’s interest in the local area and in all things Australian. Their freestanding Edwardian home is now a National Trust museum containing a century of household memorabilia including many which reflect their interest in the local area and all things Australian. Cost: Adults $10, Concessions $8, Family $25, children under 5 free. For more information, visit National Trust website and book tickets via Eventbrite for session times at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Club Lambton

Enjoy Australia Day at Club Lambton. The fun, from 4.30-7.30pm, includes free children’s face painting, inflatables and live music from Glen Harrison. Visit the Club Lambton Website for more information.

LAKE MACQUARIE

Thursday 26 January

Enjoy a range of activities across Lake Macquarie this Australia Day. Get out and about for a fun-filled day with your family and friends.

Club Charlestown

Enjoy Australia Day in the courtyard at Club Charlestown. The fun includes free children’s face painting, a free petting zoo and live music from 12-3pm. Visit the Club Charlestown Website for more information.

Open Day at the Boatshed

The public are invited into the Classic Boatshed to see projects and to discuss classic Boats on Lake Macquarie from 10am – 2pm at Lake Macquarie Classic Boat Association Boatshed, Rathmines Park. It’s free entry and organised by Lake Macquarie Classic Boat Association

Classic & Vintage Vehicle Display

Vintage & Classic Car Display in Speers Point Park with unique opportunity for general public to view the vehicles on display and add to the Lake Mac activities in Speers Point Park. It runs from 9am to 2pm with free entry and organised by Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club Inc.

Australia Day at Valentine

Enjoy a celebration of Australia Day presented by Valentine Lions Club with Australian music, a cricket match and other child friendly games together with a sausage sizzle, tea, coffee and cordial drinks, all provided free of charge to the public. The event run by Valentine Lions Club runs from 9am to midday at Allambee Park, Valentine.

Croquet Demonstration Day & Sausage Sizzle

Croquet demonstrations, a mock game with audience participation and a sausage sizzle for players and spectators. Two forms of croquet will be demonstrated; traditional croquet and a newer version called Gateball involving 10 players with strict time restraints making the game more attractive to a younger group. This free event is organised by Toronto Croquet Club Inc and runs from 10am – 3pm in Rathmines Park.

Hunter Volleyball Social Beach Gala Day

For over 25 years, Hunter Volleyball has hosted a social beach volleyball event. In 2023, they would like to welcome members of the Lake Macquarie and surrounds to join us for some fun community activities, and also enjoy the spectacle and action of the experienced men’s and women’s teams competing for Australia Day honours!

The competition will run from 8.30am – 3.00pm and features men’s and women’s pairs plus a juniors 3s division! On the day they will have courts available for members of the public to join in some fun games delivered by Hunter Volleyball. Collaborating with our friends at Central Coast Volleyball Club, we aim to make this year’s event the biggest yet, and expect to host up to 25 teams (approximately 55-60 competitors) across three divisions. The event runs from 8:30am – 3pm at Caves Beach, North of Clubhouse. Free entry.

Saturday & Sunday 28 & 29 January

Lake Mac Festival

The annual Lake Mac Festival is back and better than ever across two days – Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January, 2023.

The weekend will kick off on Saturday 28th January with a free family breakfast at Thomas H Halton Park, Croudace Bay from 8am-noon with a variety of local community groups cooking up a storm, family friendly entertainment, activities and face painting.

On Saturday evening enjoy activities at Warners Bay Foreshore, Belmont, Rathmines and Swansea that will bring fun for the whole family to enjoy! Live Music, food trucks and other exciting activities will be available to all, as well as a fireworks spectacular held across the Lake at 9pm.

On Sunday, there’ll be family-friendly events held at Toronto Foreshore and Speers Point Park throughout the day. 

MAITLAND

Maitland River Regatta

What better way to spend a summers day floating than down the river? Head on down to RH Taylor Reserve, Lorn on Thursday 26 January from 3-8pm for a full day of family fun at the Maitland River Regatta! Patrons can purchase a ticket to hire a boat and float down the river to Lorn Beach. Tickets start from $15 for an hour long session in a one or two person boat.

There will be loads of activities and entertainment on offer at both RH Taylor Reserve and Lorn Beach for the whole family to enjoy as well as a delicious selection of food and drinks! With stalls, amusement rides, craft activities, beach activities and more, it’s a perfect day out for the whole family!

Free Entry to Maitland Aquatic Centre

Council’s Australia Day festivities also include free entrance to the Maitland Aquatic Centre from 10.00am and the annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony from 10.30am.

For more information about Australia Day in Maitland, visit the Maitland City Council website.

CESSNOCK

Cessnock City Council

On 26 January, Cessnock City Council will host the annual Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony. Additionally, entry to Cessnock and Branxton Pools and Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre will be free for the day, and there will be barbeques, music and games for the whole family to enjoy.

The Australia Day Awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise members of the community who have made a significant contribution within the community, demonstrated excellence in their field, or are considered role models for the generations to come.

The ceremony will commence at 10am in the Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC), beginning with the Citizenship award ceremony, where over 30 conferees will be taking the citizenship pledge.

Following the citizenship ceremony will be the announcement of the Australia Day Awards, including the Cessnock Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and many more. The event will conclude with a light morning tea in the foyer of the PACC.

Members of the community are also encouraged to take advantage of the free entry into Cessnock and Branxton Pools and Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre.
Free entry to each facility will be available during the following hours:

• Cessnock Pools, 9.00am-5.00pm
• Branxton Pools, 9.00am-5.00pm
• Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre, 10.00am-3.00pm

Each facility will be hosting a complimentary barbeque between 11.00am-2.00pm.

For more information about Australia Day in Cessnock, visit the Cessnock City Council website.

SINGLETON

Twilight – Australia Day Eve Community Event

Roll out the picnic blanket on the green as Singleton City Council celebrate Australia Day in true Singleton style with an outdoor cinema, food trucks, kid’s activities and plenty of free family fun. Celebrate being an Australian by kicking back and enjoying the sunset with family and friends in the newly renovated Townhead Park precinct. 

There will be an outdoor cinema, live music, roving entertainment, food trucks, slip and slide, obstacle course, jumping castles, reptile display, giant outdoor games, face painting and a sensory area.

2023 Award Ceremony

The official Singleton Australia Day ceremony on Thursday 26 January, 2023 will take place in-person and will also be livestreamed via Council’s facebook page and website.

There will be a bbq breakfast from 8am, with the ceremony to start at 9.30am, including an address by Australia Day guest, Dr Emma Beckett, announcement of Citizen of the Year and Young Achiever of the Year and a Citizenship Ceremony.

Singleton Gym + Swim

After the ceremony, make a splash and cool off at the Singleton Gym + Swim for a gold coin donation.

For more information about Australia Day in Singleton, visit the Singleton City Council website.

PORT STEPHENS

Raymond Terrace

Australia Day festivities will take place at Riverside Park, Raymond Terrace from 8am until 1.30pm. There will be a marching band, a Great Aussie breakfast proudly supported by Raymond Terrace Bowling Club, food, BBQ, and coffee vendors, children’s amusements, all day markets, a farm machinery display, Port Stephens Citizen of the Year presentation, RFS Fire demonstration, Citizenship ceremony, RAAF flyover, Newcastle Dragon Boat race & rides, blues council band performance and more.

Lakeside Aquatic Centre

There’ll be free entry, activities and entertainment this Australia Day at Lakeside Aquatic Centre from 10.30 – 3.30pm! All day activities include giant inflatable, water slide, water fountains, face painting and more. There’ll also be live music from 1-3.30pm, a sausage sizzle ($2 each) from 10-3pm and more.

Nelson Bay

Australia Day festivities will take place at Fly Point, Nelson Bay from 9-3pm. There will be live music, a Citizenship ceremony, food and drinks, free pony rides and jumping castles for children, RAAF flypast, alpaca and sheep shearing demonstrations and baby animals, all day markets, a vintage and Classic cars display, JD’s World of Magic, displays and workshops and displays by Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigade, Spinners and Weavers.

Tilligerry

Australia Day festivities will take place at Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage from 8-12pm. There will be live music, a Great Aussie Breakfast and an Auto Car Club display.

Karuah

Australia Day festivities will take place at Karuah RSL from 10-5pm. There will be a fresh produce competition and auctions with money raised donated to the local RFS.

For more information about Australia Day in Port Stephens, visit the Port Stephens Council website.