Australia Day Breakfast By The Lake. Photo: Shellharbour City Council.
From sunrise breakfasts by the lake to sunset fireworks on the harbour, Australia Day 2026 will be marked across the Illawarra with a full day of free, family-friendly activities.
With community barbecues, cultural activities, live entertainment and classic favourites returning, Shellharbour, Kiama and Wollongong are each offering their own take on a day of connection, reflection and summer fun on 26 January.
The day will begin with Shellharbour City Council’s annual Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake at Reddall Reserve.
Deputy Mayor Kellie Marsh said the event had been going for many years, bringing together Shellharbour locals and visitors.
“This year is going to be interesting, because we’re bringing back a couple of old favourites thanks to community demand,” Cr Marsh said.
“We’ve got the sand modelling competition, rock climbing walls, laser tag, stand up paddle boarding, kids arts and crafts, the old jumping castles, and live music.
“But what I’m really looking forward to is the parkour games.
“It’s a very popular activity and there’s been a lot of attention for parkour games on YouTube.”
She said parkour was an athletic training sport where participants move through buildings or obstacles in efficient and acrobatic ways, and in Shellharbour the community would be able to get involved.
“Obviously, we’re not jumping across buildings,” she said.
“I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing this and seeing how it unfolds with the community.”
From 8 am to noon, attendees can enjoy a breakfast with classic favourites such as bacon and eggs at affordable prices.
Cooking will be undertaken by a host of community groups, and proceeds from the sale of items will then support each of the groups.
Food stalls will be available until noon, market stalls will be open and the area has playground equipment.
“We really want to keep value adding to every event we have at council,” she said.
Ample street parking is available along the foreshore and in nearby streets, with a reminder to respect residents in the area.
Kiama Council is working with organisations to host community barbecues across the municipality.
The Jamberoo Red Cross and Jamberoo Rural Fire Service will host a barbecue at Reid Park from 8:30 am, and the Kiama Downs Surf Life Saving Club will fire up its barbecue at its clubhouse from 7 am.
The Gerringong Lions Club will stage its barbecue at the Gerringong Bowling Club carpark from 7:30 am.
Council will then hold its formal Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the Gerringong Surf Club carpark during the barbecue at 10 am.
Mayor Cameron McDonald will welcome and celebrate its newest Australian citizens during the event.
Each venue will include family-friendly activities and the public is asked to pack a camp chair, picnic blanket and sunscreen.
Wollongong City Council is focusing on its harbour area and Osborne Park to host activities from 5 to 8:45 pm, with roving entertainers, street performers, musicians, and kids’ activities.
Cultural art workshops will be run by Yindamarra Cultural Experience, where participants can create and decorate a boomerang to take home, or be involved in an informative hands-on ochre workshop.
Children will also enjoy dreaming stories at the yarning mat.
Other performances will come from the knife juggling, bottle balancing Anita Holiday, juggler The Great Dave, Three Cats Jazz Trio, brass band outfit Phat Brass, beach lifeguards Roving Lifesavers, and music act Little Big Stage.
A variety of food will also be on offer at Osborne Park.
The night will finish with fireworks at the Wollongong Harbour at 9 pm.
A reserved accessible viewing area for people with disabilities and access requirements will be available through registration.
