Start at the South Perth Foreshore at Eight in the Morning
The sun is already up over the Swan River when the flag climbs the pole on the South Perth Foreshore. A Welcome to Country opens the morning, followed by the annual Citizenship Ceremonies and the Auspire Community Citizen of the Year Awards, presented with Auspire – Australia Day Council WA and local councils to recognise contributions in volunteering, social inclusion, sport, arts, health and environment. The Mayor of South Perth, Greg Milner, and Councillors attend alongside state and federal representatives, and His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson delivers an address. The ceremony runs 8.00–9.30am on 26 January, with an Auslan interpreter at the side of the stage throughout.
- Morning Citizenship Ceremony: 8.00–9.30am, South Perth Foreshore.
- Great Aussie Breakfast: 9.30–10.30am, a BBQ breakfast provided by the Rotary Club of Como for $7, with proceeds going to the local community.
- Getting there: use the Coode Street carparks, with overflow parking on the Sir James Mitchell Park reserve and attendants directing you; accessible parking is available.
Spend the Afternoon on Langley Park
South Perth runs the morning, but the City of Perth's fireworks and drone show are best viewed from Langley Park from 3pm. If you want the narrated soundtrack and the event facilities that go with it, the City of Perth recommends Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square — the narration is not audible and the facilities are not available outside those areas, so choose your spot deliberately rather than drifting in at dusk. Note that there is no celebration zone or major fireworks event at South Perth Foreshore on Australia Day, so plan your evening on the Perth side of the river.
- Fireworks and drone show: viewed from Langley Park from 3pm.
- Narrated soundtrack and facilities: Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square.
- What not to expect: no celebration zone or major fireworks at South Perth Foreshore.
Plan Around the 26th
Australia Day falls on 26 January, and the programme above is built for that date in 2027. The morning ceremony and breakfast are fixed to the morning, so arrive early enough to park at Coode Street and walk down to the foreshore before the flag goes up. Keep the middle of the day free to move between South Perth and the city, then settle at Langley Park or Elizabeth Quay for the afternoon and evening. The programme is supported by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.
Make a Day of It on Both Banks
Treat the river as the spine of your day: a civic morning on the South Perth Foreshore, an afternoon crossing to Langley Park, and an evening at Elizabeth Quay or Barrack Square for the soundtrack. The Coode Street carparks and the Sir James Mitchell Park reserve overflow give you a base on the south bank, and the City of Perth's recommended viewing points put you on the north bank when the show begins. The Auslan interpreter at the morning ceremony and the accessible parking at South Perth make the early start straightforward.
Book your accommodation on the river side of the city, check the parking arrangements at Coode Street, and set your alarm for the flag raising — the rest of the day follows the water.