Australia Day in Sydney: Are there events, fireworks, what is open?
The Australia Day public holiday tomorrow will look different to other years, not just because of coronavirus restrictions.
In Greater Sydney all but one local council has cancelled its annual event, and there are caps on gatherings meaning the usual barbecues can't go ahead.
So what is allowed, what is open, and what will be weather be like?
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A packed Bondi Beach on Australia Day 2020. Steven Siewert
Rules for gatherings
In Greater Sydney a maximum of five visitors is allowed at a home, per day. Overnight stays are allowed.
No more than 30 people can gather in a public area, such as parks, reserves, beaches, gardens and other outdoor spaces.
Greater Sydney includes the Blue Mountains, Northern Beaches, Central Coast and Wollongong.
In regional and rural NSW, up to 50 people are allowed at a house, and no more than 100 people can gather outside in a public place.
Many of Sydney's Australia Day events have been cancelled this year, including the Tug and Yacht Ballet seen here in 2020. Getty
Are there events?
Sydney Harbour's traditional event roster will not be going ahead.
The NSW Government is going ahead with other celebrations of the day, but they will be restricted.
Tickets will be needed for the WugulOra morning ceremony and for the Australia Day Live event on Circular Quay – which will be closed to the general public from 6pm on January 26.
Only people with a ticket or restaurant booking will be allowed into the area. There will be also road closures within the Sydney CBD.
NSW Police have asked people to avoid the city and harbour and said officers will be monitoring gatherings.
"Australia Day 2021 is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian spirit, so we ask the community to be patient and respect each other and any restrictions in place," Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said.
"People may be marking the day differently, but as with any major event, police will still be out and about across the state focusing on public safety, alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour."
The annual fireworks will still go ahead at 9pm.
The only local council event in Sydney will be at Holroyd Gardens in Merrylands where a maximum of 500 people will gather.
What is open?
Shops, supermarkets, and bottle shops will open as normal.
Many will operate on shorter hours due to the public holiday.
Bars, restaurants and pubs will also open however if they are within the Circular Quay precinct you will need a booking to be allowed into the area.
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