Public Notice: Australia Day 2026 Operations and Community Event Schedule

Official Notice: Australia Day 2026 Community Event

Wollongong City Council has issued the official schedule for the Australia Day community event to be held on Monday, 26 January 2026. This family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration will take place at the Wollongong Harbour precinct, including Osborne Park and Belmore Basin. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM with a formal Welcome to Country by Uncle Richard Davis. Attendees can enjoy a range of activities including cultural art workshops led by Yindamarra Cultural Experience, street performances by the Great Dave and Anita Holiday, jumping castles, and food trucks. The evening will culminate in a ten-minute fireworks display starting at 9:00 PM.

Traffic Management and Road Closures

To ensure the safety of pedestrians and event attendees, significant road closures and traffic diversions will be in effect on Monday, 26 January, from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM. Residents and visitors are advised that parking will be extremely limited in the CBD and harbour areas. The following roads will be closed during this period:

• Cliff Road between Marine Drive and Georges Place
• Harbour Street between Market Street and Cliff Road
• Hector Street and Hinton Street
• Campbell Street from the intersection of Corrimal Street
• Wilson Street from the intersection of Smith Street
• Smith Street between Corrimal Street and Harbour Street
• Market Place

Council encourages the use of public transport and the free Gong Shuttle, which will be operating every 10 minutes throughout the event. Additionally, cycleways connecting to the harbour remain open for those choosing active transport options.

Fireworks Launch and Weather Contingencies

Following recent cancellations of major displays due to ocean conditions, Council has confirmed that Wollongong Harbour’s southern breakwall remains the primary firing point for the 9:00 PM fireworks. However, in a change to standard protocols, Flagstaff Hill has been approved as a secondary launch site. If sea swells or weather conditions make the breakwall unsafe, the display may be moved to the hill to ensure the show proceeds. Any last-minute changes will be announced via the venue’s public address system and official social media channels. The fireworks soundtrack will be broadcast live on i98FM (98.1FM).

Public Services and Facilities

Wollongong City Council advises of the following changes to local services for the public holiday:

• Waste Collection: Household kerbside bin collections will proceed as normal. There are no changes to the collection schedule for the January 26 public holiday.
• Beach Safety: Council lifeguards will be on duty at 17 patrolled beaches. Residents are reminded to swim only between the red and yellow flags.
• Accessibility: A reserved accessible viewing area for people with disability and specific access requirements is available at the harbour. Registration is required prior to the event.

Development Applications on Exhibition

In accordance with statutory requirements, Council notes that several Development Applications (DAs) remain on public exhibition, including proposals for Bellambi Lane in Bellambi (DA-2026/15) and Walker Street in Helensburgh (DA-2026/2). Submissions for these items must be received by 18 February 2026.