New Year's Day in Australia
1 January is New Year's Day in Australia and a public holiday across the country. The day is a relaxed follow-up to New Year's Eve: people recover from celebrations, spend time with family and friends, head to beaches and parks, enjoy barbecues and - in many places - join organised swims and community events.
New Year's Day - Dates
This year
| Name | Date | Holiday Type | States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wed, 1 Jan 2025 | Public holiday | All |  Add |
Next year
| Name | Date | Holiday Type | States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu, 1 Jan 2026 | Public holiday | All | Add |
Last year
| Name | Date | Holiday Type | States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Mon, 1 Jan 2024 | Public holiday | All | Add |
Are Businesses Closed?
New Year's Day is a public holiday. Most businesses are closed. It's also a relatively quite day because of the big NYE celebration earlier.
Are Schools Closed?
Schools are closed throughout the Christmas and New Year. This period is included in the summer school holidays in Australia. Schools open with their new term only at the end of January or early February.
What makes New Year's Day in Australia unique?
Australia's New Year has several distinctive features:
- Summer setting: Unlike many Northern Hemisphere countries, New Year's Day in Australia is in high summer. That changes the activities - people are outdoors, often at beaches, rivers and parks instead of indoors by a fire.
- Harbour and beach culture: Iconic harbours and beaches shape celebrations. For many Australians the natural waterfront setting is as central to the day as the food and company.
- Barbecue culture: Barbecues are an Australian social institution - they are a common, casual way to mark New Year's Day with family and friends. Research and surveys show that a large share of Australians host or attend barbecues regularly, which informs how the day is celebrated.
- Community sports and swims: Many coastal towns and cities run organised open-water swims, fun runs or community festivals on or around 1 January, providing healthy, social ways to start the year.
Our tip: To avoid the New New Year's Day crowd on a beach, visit the one a bit further away instead of the most popular ones. For example, we have found the beaches in Wollongong are way less crowded than the beaches in Sydney.
How major Australian cities and regions mark New Year's Day
Sydney
Sydney is internationally associated with New Year's celebrations because of its harbour fireworks on 31 December. Many visitors stay on to enjoy Bondi, the Northern Beaches or harbour parks on 1 January. The huge influx to Sydney during New Year can shape transport and services on New Year's Day itself.
Melbourne
Melbourne's New Year's Day tends to be quieter than the big waterfront fireworks cities, but the city offers riverside walks, family zones and cultural venues that stage summer events and exhibitions. Many Melburnians head to the bayside suburbs or regional towns for continuing summer holidays.
Brisbane and the Queensland coast
Warm weather and riverfront parks make Brisbane an attractive New Year's Day destination. Elsewhere in Queensland, coastal towns and the Gold Coast host beach gatherings, markets and family-friendly events.
Perth
Perth in Western Australia welcomes the new year earlier than the east coast and often features family displays and beach gatherings around the Swan River and coastal foreshore areas.
Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra and regional centres
Adelaide and Hobart often combine city-centre cultural events with relaxed suburban and coastal family activities. Darwin and many northern communities favour outdoor barbecues and family meet-ups due to the tropical climate. Canberra's lakefront and walking trails attract families who want a quieter start to the year.
Practical tips for visitors and locals
- Plan transport in advance - roads and trains may run altered timetables after big NYE events.
- Bring sun protection and water for long daytime gatherings - January is high summer and sunburn risk is real.
- Popular beaches will be overcrowded. You may want to find the "second best".
FAQ
Is New Year's Day a public holiday across Australia?
Yes - New Year's Day (1 January) is a national public holiday in Australia. When 1 January falls on a weekend, most states provide an observed holiday on a weekday; check your state government calendar.
What are common New Year's Day activities in Australia?
Typical activities include beach visits, barbecues, organised swims and relaxed family gatherings. Many people also use the long holiday period for short trips or to visit friends and family.
Are fireworks common on New Year's Day itself?
Most large fireworks are on New Year's Eve (31 December). On 1 January you are more likely to find community events, swims and markets rather than big fireworks displays. Some regional towns may hold smaller midday or afternoon displays as part of summer festivals.