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Events to try this Australia Day holiday

The 2023 Australia Day holiday is this Thursday and there are nine events across Australia to participate in as you enjoy a true blue day at the beach.

Australia Day is once again upon us and while it’s an Aussie tradition to enjoy the day at the beach, soaking up the good weather and our beautiful coastlines, why not add an ocean swim event to your day?

We’ve compiled a list of ocean swims from around the country on this Australia Day. You can swim in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

To view all these events and find out more information, view them on our Event Calendar.

New South Wales

Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim

The Newcastle Harbour Swim is one of the classic ocean swims held on Australia Day.

With two distances on offer; a 700m ‘single crossing’ and a 1.4km ‘double crossing’ this swim is the perfect event for swimmers of all abilities from first-time ocean swimmers to the experienced open water swimmer.

This event is also a major fundraiser for the Stockton Surf Lifesaving Club.

Enter the Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim

Australia Day Wollongong Aquathon

The Australia Day Wollongong Aquathon, is one of Australia’s favourite aquathlons, at the beautiful flat waters of Wollongong Harbour.

After a challenging few years, affected by Covid, the Wollongong Aquathon is back and better than ever, ready to celebrate its 23rd edition.

Participants can choose from three distances; a ‘Mini’ (200m swim & 2km run), the ‘Short’ (400m swim & 3km run) and the ‘Long’ (900m swim & 7km run). There is also a kids distance for those aged between 7 and 12 years old, featuring a 120m swim and 2km run.

Enter the Australia Day Wollongong Aquathon

Sydney Harbour Splash

The Sydney Harbour Splash is run by the irrepressible and wildly entertaining, Bondi Lifeguard, Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid, meaning this event is not one to miss.

Swimmers can choose from either a 1km, 2.5km or 5km open water swim in the surf-less water of Rose Bay, where you will be welcomed by sweeping harbour views.

This year the Sydney Harbour Splash is supporting the Dementia Research Community to help raise awareness of dementia and to raise funds to help fund a cure for this devastating disease.

If you are a fan of the Iconic Aussie show ‘ Bondi Rescue’, be on the lookout for Bondi Rescue Lifeguards; Ryan Clark (Whippet), Harries Carroll and Ben Quigley, who will be participating in the swim.

Enter the Sydney Harbour Splash

Victoria

The Great Australia Day Swim

The Great Australia Day Swim held at Middle Brighton Pier, is much more than just an ocean swim.

Swimmers can choose from either a 200m, 300m, 650m, 1.4km or 2.5km ocean swim, starting at Middle Brighton Pier and swimming around to the Yacht club marina and breakwater depending on your chosen distance.

Make it a family day out and enjoy the live entertainment and food and market stalls post-swim.

The MMAD Swim

The Mount Martha Annual Diamond Swim (MMAD Swim) is held at Mt Martha Beach.

Swimmers can choose from three distances; a 400m, 1.2km or 5km ocean swim.

The MMAD swim is also known for being one of the safest open-water swims on the calendar with 100 water safety personnel supporting swimmers.

Invasion Day Swim

The Invasion Day Swim, offers swimmers a 1km or 2km swim from Williamstown Beach to Jawbone Marine Park and back.

Enjoy a traditional smoking ceremony pre-swim to pay your respects to the elders and traditional owners of the country.

Post-swim you can dig into a delicious bush tucker breakfast of Johnny cakes, pancakes and vegan burgers.

South Australia

Australia Day Jetty to Jetty Swim

The Australia Day Jetty to Jetty Swim is a stape Australia Day celebration for ocean swimmers in South Australia.

The idyllic 2.2km swim takes swimmers from the Henley Jetty to the Grange Beach Jetty.

This event has a rich history dating back over 100 years with the first event beginning in 1917.

Western Australia

The Ocean Swim Festival

The Ocean Swim Festival is your opportunity to swim on the same course as some of Australia’s best open-water swimmers.

With a range of distances on offer, there is a swim for everyone including a 500m, 1.25m, 2.5km, 5km, 7.5km and 10km ocean swim.

Held at Busselton Jetty, which is the home to the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, this event is not to be missed.

This event is also Round 8 of the SWA OWS Series.

Enter the Ocean Swim Festival

Busselton Jetty

Tasmania

The Australia Day Swim

The Australia Day Swim takes place at beautiful Kingston Beach, just outside of Hobart.

Swimmers can choose from either a 500m or 1.5km ocean swim in an around-the-buoys course format.

This is a great swim to kick off Australia Day at the beach with the family. This event is also a part of the Tasmanian Ocean Swim Series.

  • Written by Ocean Swims on 24 January 2023
  • (Updated on 10 August 2023)

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Events discussed in this article

  • Bay Swim

The Great Bayside Swim

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Brighton VIC
  • Ocean Swim

Australia Day Swim

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Kingston TAS
  • Aquathlon

Australia Day Wollongong Aquathon

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Wollongong NSW
  • Ocean Swim

Invasion Day Swim

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Williamstown VIC
  • Recommended
  • Recommended
  • Harbour Swim

Sydney Harbour Splash

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Rose Bay NSW
  • Recommended
  • Ocean Swim

MMAD Swim

  • Mon, 14 Oct 2024
  • Mt Martha VIC
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