Australia Day in Blacktown

Published on 10 January 2019

From having breakfast with koalas to celebrating local heroes and rocking out to live music, Blacktown City Council has Australia Day celebrations covered.

Blacktown’s Australia Day begins with ‘Wake Up with the Wildlife’ at Featherdale Wildlife Park, before continuing with a special citizenship ceremony and the announcement of the City’s Citizens of the Year.

The day concludes with a free Australia Day concert at The Rooty Hill, climaxing in Western Sydney’s largest fireworks display.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said more than 50,000 people are expected to attend Council’s Australia Day events.

“Our Australia Day activities are hugely popular – and no wonder,” Mayor Bali said.

“We have a range of fun, family friendly and exciting events for people of all ages.

“I encourage everyone to join us on 26 January and celebrate our pride in being Australian and living in this great nation.”

At Featherdale Wildlife Park, the very popular ‘Wake Up With The Wildlife’ kick starts the entertainment program. 

From 7.00 am, families and children will have the unique opportunity to have breakfast with the fabulous collection of Australian animals at Featherdale.

Bowman Hall in Blacktown will be the scene for a special Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony from 10.30 am. Residents from many of the more than 180 nationalities represented in our city will become Australian citizens.

Following the ceremony, Mayor Bali will announce Blacktown City’s Australia Day Award winners. 

Celebrations continue from 3.30 pm with the free Australia Day Concert on The Rooty Hill.

There will also be free amusement rides, Australiana demonstrations (including sheep shearing and whip cracking), as well as live music performances from artists including Ted Mulry Gang, The Screaming Jets and Boys Light Up.

The concert will come to a close with a spectacular fireworks display from 9.15 pm. 

“I encourage families and friends to head down early to The Rooty Hill for our family-friendly, alcohol-free annual Australia Day celebrations,” Mayor Bali said.

“The event also features a fireworks extravaganza which never disappoints.”

Event details

Media Note:

Entry Passes are needed for Council events on Australia Day.  Please contact the BCC Media Unit to arrange access and photography permissions.

Wake up with the Wildlife Breakfast

7.00 am to 12.00 pm Featherdale Wildlife Park, Kildare Road, Blacktown

Bookings are essential and spots are limited. Tickets are $3 per person, with all money raised to be donated to the Koala Plantation Fund.

The second session at 10 am is sold out however a few tickets are still available for the first session from 7 am - 9 am.

A sausage sizzle breakfast will also be available for purchase at the event.

Citizenship ceremony

10.30 am Bowman Hall, Campbell Street, Blacktown.

The special Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony will see more than 150 people become Australians on Australia Day.

Australia Day at The Rooty Hill

4.00 pm – 9.30 pm, The Rooty Hill, Church Street Rooty Hill.

Enjoy all the festivities of Australia Day 2019 at Council’s Australia Day Celebrations on The Rooty Hill. Including free amusement rides, Australiana demonstrations, as well as live performances by headliners The Screaming Jets, Ted Mulry Gang, Boys Light Up, Original Sin INXS Show and Oz Icons.

A spectacular fireworks display will close the event.

Stage Program

3.30 pm Gates open on Eastern Road, Rooty Hill

4.00 pm Boys Light Up

5.00 pm Original Sin INXS Show

6.00 pm Oz Icons

7.00 pm TMG

8.15 pm The Screaming Jets

9.15 pm Fireworks Spectacular

9.30 pm Event Close

Live coverage of all the events will be available on Blacktown City Council’s Facebook page.

In the event of extreme weather conditions, celebrations may be cancelled.

For more information on Blacktown City’s Australia Day celebrations and/or changed traffic conditions, visit www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au  or phone 9839 6000.