The huge changes coming to Australia Day celebrations as organisers scrap a beloved part of the annual celebration - as residents are encouraged to stay in their own suburbs for events
The next Australia Day will look vastly different from previous years as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic forces organisers to scrap one of Sydney's most beloved events.
The Harbour day-time program that usually sees ferry races, boat parades, military aerial displays, and the annual Tug and Yacht ballet will be cancelled.
Boozy celebrations on the Circular Quay foreshore will also be scrapped to align with COVID-19 restrictions.
Sydneysiders will also need to get into the Quay early because it will be closed off to everyone except those with a restaurant booking from 5pm.
Next year's Australia Day will look vastly different from previous celebrations due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
Sydney's Circular Quay will close at 5pm to anybody who doesn't have a restaurant booking or tickets to the Australia Day live concert
The Harbour day-time program that usually sees ferry races, boat parades, military aerial displays, and the annual Tug and Yacht ballet will be cancelled
The Salute to Australia which features a 21-gun salute from members of the Australian Defence Force will remain but will be available by broadcast only, starting at 2pm.
Meanwhile, the Australia Day Live concert will again take place at the Sydney Opera House, kicking off at 7.30pm.
The event sees some of the country's biggest names in music perform as well as a jet ski and yacht display, followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
Organisers of the event will give priority to those who worked on the frontline against the pandemic.
Other events going ahead include the Sydney Harbour Splash swim along with the 185th Australia Day Regatta - the world's oldest sailing event.
The state government has urged residents to celebrate within their own suburbs for the national holiday (pictured revellers in Newcastle)
Residents are seen celebrating Australia Day on a cruise ship
Other events will still go ahead including the Australia Day Live concert and the Salute to Australia
The Oz Day 10k wheelchair race will also take place at next year's national holiday, kicking off in The Rocks.
More details are expected to be announced in January with Jobs, Tourism and Investment Minister Stuart Ayres urging residents to celebrate within their own suburbs.
'More NSW residents out and about this summer will deliver a vital boost to the NSW economy,' he said.
'It is a time to support each other by visiting, staying, eating and shopping locally. Each one of us can give back to these communities and make a difference. We also welcome residents from other states and territories.'
The Wugulora Morning Ceremony to pay respect to the Indigenous community will also take place earlier on in the day.
Other events going ahead including the Sydney Harbour Splash swim along with the 185th Australia Day Regatta - the world's oldest sailing event
Australia Day will work similar to the New Year's Eve celebrations which only allows people to enter the CBD with a permit
Australia Day will work similarly to the New Year's Eve celebrations which only allows people to enter the CBD with a permit.
Designated zones will be established for Circular Quay, North Sydney and the city with measures in place to control crowd numbers around the harbour.
Most people will not be allowed into Sydney's CBD but the best vantage points will be reserved for frontline workers.
Boat-owners can also sail into the harbour for the evening - but will still have to apply for a permit.
There will be no 9pm family fireworks or activities around Sydney Harbour this year and the midnight fireworks will last just seven minutes.
A group of friends are seen celebrating Australia Day at the beach
A man is seen participating in the Australia Day parade in Adelaide in 2019