Australia Day 2024 Visual Story

OFFICIAL

This is a Visual Story for Australia Day 2024 in Sydney. Developed in collaboration with Autism Spectrum Australia.

This Visual Story will help prepare me for a new environment or situation and to reduce anxiety and stress.

A 'Visual Story' is a step-by-step guide designed to provide greater accessibility for everyone to plan their visit Australia Day.

OFFICIAL

Contents:

I can use the contents list to help me find information in the visual story

more readily.

1. About Australia Day - Program

2. Before I arrive

3. What to bring

4. Planning my journey to Australia Day

5. Pick up drop off points

6. Event Map

7. When I arrive – What can I expect

8. What activities I can do

9. Harbour Activities

10. Australia Day Live Concert

11. Who can help me

12. Toilets, Charging Stations, Assistant Animals

13. Quiet Spaces

14. Accessible Viewing Areas, Leaving Australia Day

OFFICIAL

Program:

▪ 5:20am – 5:40am: Dawn Projection - the Sydney Opera House will be

illuminated with Aboriginal artwork. (There will be lights I can see on the

Opera House)

▪ 7:30am – 8:30am: WugulOra Morning Ceremony, Barangaroo Reserve – a

sacred and reflective start to our national day

▪ 10:30am – 4:00pm: Mega Kidz Zone, Wheelchair Basketball, Silent Disco, Food

trucks at the Overseas Passenger Terminal

▪ 10:30am – 3:00pm: The Great Aussie BBQ, Hickson Road Reserve (A BBQ

where I can buy something to eat)

▪ 12:00 noon – 21 Gun Salute and Roulettes Display (I may need my noise

cancelling headphones)

▪ 12:10pm – 12:30pm: Australia Day Ferrython on Sydney Harbour

▪ 12:45pm – 2:00pm: Harbour Parade on Sydney Harbour

▪ 7:30pm – 9:30pm: Australia Day Live, Circular Quay – Fireworks, Maritime

Show and Concert on the Big Screen (I can enjoy the music, singing and

fireworks on the big screen)

▪ 7:30pm – 9:30pm: Australia Day Live Concert at Sydney Opera House

I can find more information if I click onto this website –

https://www.australiaday.com.au/

OFFICIAL

About Australia Day

What is Australia Day?

Australia Day 2024 is a day to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate the Australian

spirit and the best of this vast country; our mateship, our sense of community,

our resilience, and looking to the future with optimism and unity.

When: Friday, 26 January 2024

Where: Circular Quay, Sydney

OFFICIAL

Before I Arrive

Tickets – If I want to attend the Australia Day live concert at the Sydney Opera

House, I will need to book a ticket. I can book a ticket by clicking on this link

https://www.australiaday.com.au/information/accessibility-and-inclusion-support/

Accessible Viewing areas – I can also book a seat in one of the other seated

accessible viewing areas to watch the maritime show, fireworks and concert on the

big screen. I can register for these areas by clicking on this link

https://www.australiaday.com.au/information/accessibility-and-inclusion-support/

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard – Australia Day supports and recognises the

Hidden Disability Sunflower. I can pick up a lanyard from one of the quiet rooms.

Weather - This is an outdoor event. I might need to prepare for the forecast

weather as the accessible viewing area does not have shade or shelter.

Safety - I should drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing for

summer weather conditions.

I can ask an Australia Day volunteer to help me find a refilling station.

OFFICIAL

What to bring

Sensory Items to bring

I can bring things that help me to enjoy my day

For example, my headphones, sunglasses, sensory tools, communication

board i.e. iPad

Something to eat and drink

I can bring my own food or drink or buy food or drink on the day.

I will need to bring a credit / debit card to buy food or drink

OFFICIAL

Things I cannot bring

• Alcohol

• Flammable devices (flares, fireworks and smoke bombs)

• Glass

• Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

• Umbrella (if it's raining, I can wear a raincoat or poncho)

• Illegal substances

• Laser pointers

• Sharp items including knives

OFFICIAL

Planning my journey

How can I get there?

Public transport is the easiest way to get around on Australia Day.

Most public transport hubs are close to the different areas I might need to get to. I can use public

transport and then walk a short distance to get where I need to go.

Circular Quay is the closest transport hub to many Australia Day events. There are lots of trains,

buses, ferries and light rail services that go to or from Circular Quay.

Other hubs that are close:

• Wynyard

• Martin Place

• St James

For all the details I need to plan my trip visit: https://www.australiaday.com.au/information/public-

transport/ or www.australiaday.com.au/information/road-closures/

Wheelchair Accessible Taxis

To book a wheelchair accessible taxi I can use Zero 200 by clicking on this link Sydney

https://www.13cabs.com.au/zero200/ or I can call 02 8332 0200.

OFFICIAL

Pick up drop off points

If I'm being dropped off or picked up by motor vehicle, there are

accessible pick up and drop off points.

These are close to the accessible viewing areas.

I can find accessible pick up and drop off areas on this map where

the red lines are:

The closest accessible pick up and drop off areas are.

The Rocks – Harrington St, western side in front of Clocktower

Square – western side

Macquarie St – 1 Macquarie St outside Aria restaurant

Loftus St – between Loftus Ln and Reiby Pl – western side

OFFICIAL

When I Arrive

When I arrive, I can choose where to go. Australia Day is fully accessible to all

areas via accessible paths of travel and there are chairs available along the way

if I need to rest.

Sensory

• It is going to be busy and there are going to be lots of people

• There will be fireworks and flashing lights

• It is going to be crowded and noisy

• There will be music and loud sounds

• I may have to wait in line

Security Check Points

• When I arrive at the Australia Day event there will be security check points.

I can look for this sign to find an accessible security check point lane

• To keep everyone safe on the day, the security guard may ask me to open

my bag before I go in.

OFFICIAL

What activities can I do?

Mega Kidz Zone

Location: Overseas Passenger Terminal

Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm

Entry is free.

The Kidz Zone will be at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. This activity is for adults too!

I can find this on the accessibility map.

There will be lots of people here. I may need to wait in line.

It may be noisy with lots of people.

There is a huge ninja-inflatable obstacle course, a massive maze and an interactive

arcade.

I can come and go at any time if I want to.

Sessions will run from 10:30 to 4:30pm every half hour.

OFFICIAL

What activities can I do?

Silent Disco

Location: Overseas Passenger Terminal

Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm

The Silent Disco is located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

I can find this on the Accessibility Map.

This is where I can listen and dance along to music.

I will be assisted with putting on headphones and can choose my own

music.

There will also be friendly staff and volunteers here to help me if I need

it.

I can leave whenever I like.

OFFICIAL

What activities can I do?

Wheelchair Basketball

Location: Overseas Passenger Terminal

Time: 10.30am - 4pm

Entry is free

Wheelchair basketball is located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

I can find this on the Accessibility Map.

I may need to wait in line.

I can participate in a game of basketball while being in a wheelchair.

There will also be friendly staff and volunteers here to help me if I

need it.

I can leave whenever I like

OFFICIAL

What activities can I do?

The Great Aussie BBQ

Location: Hickson Road Reserve

Time: 10am – 2pm

The Great Aussie BBQ is located at the Hickson

Road Reserve.

I can find this on the accessibility map.

There will be a BBQ here.

I can buy a sausage sizzle and drinks here. I will

need to bring a credit or debit card.

When I buy food or drink here some of my

money will be donated to Rural Aid.

I can come and go from here at any time.

OFFICIAL

Harbour Activities

There are lots of different harbour activities during the day at

different times.

I can choose where I go and what I see.

• Ferrython 12.10-12.30pm

• Maritime Mayhem 12.15-12.25pm

• Seahawk Helicopter Flag Display 12.30pm-1.30pm

• Harbour Parade 12.45pm-2.00pm

• Tall Ship Race 1.00pm-1.30pm

• 188

Australia Day Regatta 1.30pm-6.00pm

• Working Harbour Display 2.00pm-4.00pm

OFFICIAL

Australia Day Live Concert

Location: Sydney Opera House Forecourt

Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm

The Concert is a celebration of Australia through music and singing.

If I want to attend the Australia Day Live Concert, I will need to book a FREE ticket.

• I can book a ticket at – https://www.australiaday.com.au/information/accessibility-and-inclusion-

support/

If I missed out on free tickets, I can watch the concert live on ABC TV or ABC iview from 7.30pm. I Could

also go to West Circular Quay to watch and listen on screens on the Harbour.

• The concert will be very loud, with loud music and cheering from the crowd.

• There will be around 3000 people at the concert.

• There will also be fireworks at 8.14pm, 8.30pm, 8.43pm, 8.54pm, 9pm, 9.12pm *these timings may

shift a min either side of these listed timings.

• Staff and volunteers will be there to help me if I need it and there will be quiet space nearby.

• I can come and go from the concert at any time.

• I will see many artists performing - Chocolate Starfish, Yvonne Weldon, William Barton, Casey

Donovan, Loren Ryan, Ganggajang, Kate Miller Heidke and Dami Im

OFFICIAL

Who can help me?

It will be very busy and there will be lots of people when I

arrive.

If I need any help the friendly Australia Day staff and

volunteers can support and assist me during the event.

They will help me with directions, where to find things like

the toilets and quiet spaces.

If I am not feeling well, first aid will be there to help me.

OFFICIAL

Good things To know

Toilets

Accessible toilet locations are found on the accessibility

map and will have these signs on them to help me find

them.

Accessible changing places are located -

• Circular Key West, overseas passenger terminal under

the bridge

• Inside the Sydney Opera House, on the Box Office

Level.

There are friendly staff and volunteers to help me find

the toilets.

OFFICIAL

Good things To know

What if I need to charge my wheelchair or mobility scooter?

This is the sign I need to look for

Charging stations are located at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and

at the Sydney Opera House

There are friendly staff and volunteers to help me find the toilets.

Can I bring my Assistance Animal?

I can bring my Assistance animal along.

There are assistance animal areas for my companion to go to the

toilet and have a drink.

OFFICIAL

What if I need some time out?

Quiet Spaces

If things get too much for me and I want to get away from the noise for a

while, there are quiet places I can go to.

These will be located at:

• Inside the Sydney Opera House, Tide Room from 5:30pm – 9:30pm

• Bligh and Barney Reserve (near Cadman’s Cottage) from 10:30am –

10:30pm

There will also be staff and volunteers here to help me if I need it.

I can come and go at any time.

Quiet Space – Sydney Opera House

Quiet Space - Bligh and Barney Reserve

OFFICIAL

Accessible Viewing Areas

When I arrive at the accessible viewing area I have registered for, I will

be greeted by friendly volunteers, who will give me a wristband and

show me to my seated area.

This is a safe space for me to view the harbour activities or watch the

night concert.

There will also be staff and volunteers here to help me if I need it.

Leaving Australia Day

The Australia Day Live Concert will finish around 9:30pm.

There will be large crowds leaving the concert at the same time.

I can leave early if this makes me feel better.

I can also wait in the accessible viewing area until the crowd leaves.

Volunteers will wait with me in the accessible viewing area until

everyone has gone.