If you decide to visit Sydney during peak summer season (more expensive, of course, but the weather is mostly divine), it’s good to know that the national holiday — Australia Day — falls at the end of January, on the 26th each year.
The day honors and celebrates the founding of the country, remembering January 26, 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor. (You can read more about the history of the day here.) Some of the Australia Day traditions have been around for years, like the Anniversary Regatta which was first held in 1836 and is still held on Sydney Harbour each year.
Now called the Australia Day Regatta, it is the oldest continuous regatta in the world. Each state or territory in Australia has its own events and customs to mark the anniversary. In New South Wales, where Sydney is located, there are numerous events, including a surfboard challenge, tall ships race and air show. A full list of activities can be found at the NSW Australia Day website.