 Australia Day is the official National Day of Australia . Celebrated annually on 26 January , it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson , New South Wales , and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip . In present @-@ day Australia , celebrations reflect the diverse nature of its population, with celebrations ranging from large community festivals and fireworks, to family and informal barbecues, and citizenship ceremonies. Hinweis: Die Datumsangabe ist der 26. Januar 1942, und nicht 2008