Australia Day in Perth has changed a lot since the big Swan River Skyworks days. The huge, city‑wide display that could be seen clearly from almost every angle around the river is gone, and in its place is a more focused, family‑friendly celebration. For 2026, the main Perth fireworks and drone show will again be centred on Langley Park, with a separate foreshore fireworks event down in Rockingham. That means where you choose to watch from really matters, especially if you want to see the drones properly and hear the soundtrack.
Below is an updated guide for Monday 26 January 2026, with a focus on what families can expect now. Always double‑check details before you head out, as times and programs can change – particularly with weather and fire conditions.
Right in the action – Langley Park, Perth City
If you want the full 2026 experience – drones, fireworks, music and atmosphere – Langley Park is the place to be. The City of Perth’s Hancock Prospecting Australia Day celebrations run along the Swan River foreshore at Langley Park from the afternoon, transforming the big grassed area into a huge family festival zone with plenty to do before the night sky lights up. Expect stunt shows, family entertainment, community activations and a big line‑up of food trucks and pop‑up eateries spread across the park, designed so you can easily spend the whole afternoon there without the kids getting bored. The Reflect Respect Celebrate film dome and multicultural activities, which have been popular in recent years, offer a chance to duck into something a bit quieter and more reflective in between the high‑energy fun.
As the sun goes down, families start staking out spots on the grass, with picnic rugs, camp chairs and eskies spread all along the foreshore. The combined drone and fireworks show is scheduled for the evening – in recent years it has started around 8.15–8.30pm and run for roughly half an hour, with hundreds of drones creating shapes and stories in the sky before and alongside the bursts of colour from the fireworks above the Swan River. Crucially, the soundtrack and narration are designed to be heard clearly from Langley Park, so this is where you will get the full, choreographed effect of the show, including the meaning behind the drone imagery.
Families should plan to arrive early, both to find a good patch of grass and to allow time for road closures and public transport crowds. It’s worth checking Visit Perth – Australia Day and the City of Perth’s event updates closer to the time for final details on start times, accessibility viewing areas, what you can bring, and any special offers on public transport and city parking. Pack hats, sunscreen and plenty of water for the afternoon, and consider ear protection for younger children once the fireworks begin.
South Perth Foreshore – classic river views with some compromises
For families who love the iconic view of the Perth skyline, the South Perth foreshore at Sir James Mitchell Park is still a beautiful spot to spend Australia Day evening, even though the event is no longer designed around this vantage point. From here you will be looking directly across the river to the city lights, with plenty of grassy areas to set up for a picnic, kick a ball and let the kids run around before dark.
You will likely see many of the higher fireworks from the Langley Park show, but the lower effects and much of the drone work may be obscured by distance and buildings. You also won’t hear the soundtrack and narration clearly, so what you get here is more of a relaxed, old‑school “watch the bangs across the water” experience rather than the fully choreographed show. Traffic and road closures still apply, but the atmosphere is usually more laid‑back than being right in the middle of the festival zone.
Kings Park – city lights and distant sparkles
Kings Park has always been popular on fireworks night thanks to its sweeping views over the river and city. In the Skyworks era you could see almost everything from the lawns; now that the display is more compact and focused around Langley Park, the view is prettier than it is immersive.
From the elevated lawns you will see the city glittering below and catch the higher fireworks in the distance. The drones will be more difficult to appreciate fully from this far away, and the music and storytelling elements won’t carry up the hill. However, for families who prefer to stay out of the thick of the foreshore crowds – or who want to pair a twilight picnic and Playground time with a bit of fireworks spotting – Kings Park can still be a lovely option. Keep in mind that parking fills early and road access is usually limited, so arriving well ahead of dusk is essential.
Elizabeth Quay – right by the river and close to transport
Elizabeth Quay remains a convenient central base for families, especially if you are relying on public transport. The Quay’s promenades and small grassy areas are only a short stroll from the main Langley Park action, but can feel a little less hectic, particularly if you tuck yourself into one of the quieter corners.
From here you can enjoy smaller‑scale entertainment, grab dinner from the eateries and food stalls around the inlet, and then wander towards Langley Park when you’re ready to settle in for the show. Alternatively, you can simply look back towards the river from the Quay and catch some of the higher fireworks, although as with most vantage points outside Langley Park, you’ll miss the detail of the drone formations and much of the soundscape. Families with prams and young children often appreciate how easy it is to duck back to the train or bus from Elizabeth Quay once the show wraps up.
Chilled vantage points around Perth – partial views, more space
Even though the Australia Day show is now tightly focused on Langley Park, many families still like to spread out along the river or find a higher viewing point where the kids can play and things feel less crowded. These spots are best suited to those who are happy with a partial view of the fireworks and possibly little or no view of the drones, in exchange for more room and a slightly calmer vibe.
Chevron Parklands in Burswood is one such option. Set just around the bend from Langley Park, this big riverside park sits in the shadow of Optus Stadium and is dotted with large Playgrounds that kids adore. On Australia Day you can set up your picnic blanket along the water’s edge and let the children burn off energy on the play equipment while you wait for the sky to light up. From here, many of the large fireworks shells should still be visible overhead, even if the finer details of the show are out of sight.
Heathcote Reserve in Applecross is another family favourite. The huge pirate‑ship Playground is a winner with children of all ages, and the grassy terraces offer beautiful panoramic views back towards the Perth CBD. Once darkness falls, you will be able to see the city skyline sprinkled with colour when the fireworks launch, although again, this is more of a distant city‑view experience than a full view of the programmed show.
Deep Water Point in Mount Pleasant is ideal if you want to stay south of the river without heading into the city itself. Families can enjoy a riverside swim or paddle, grab a coffee or ice cream from the café and then roll out a rug on the lawns. The fireworks will appear further away than in previous Skyworks years, but on a clear night you should still see bursts of colour above the skyline, and the relaxed foreshore atmosphere is lovely in its own right.
On the northern side of the river, Matilda Bay in Crawley continues to be a peaceful, picturesque place for a twilight picnic. The grassy banks and shallow water give kids space to explore, and as night falls you can look east along the river towards the city and watch for the higher fireworks.
Lake Monger in Wembley offers a different style of viewing again, with locals often settling on the northern edge of the lake or the small hill near Gregory Street to see distant flashes above the city lights reflected on the water. Birdwood Square in North Perth, a little inner‑city park along Beaufort Street, can also provide glimpses of the show without having to drive right into the CBD.
Further afield, Bardon Park in Maylands and Point Walter in Bicton are both serene riverside options, more about the outing itself than a perfect view. At Bardon Park, kids can enjoy the Playground and open spaces before you look west along the river at dusk to see what you can catch of the display. Point Walter, with its sand spit, shaded lawns and wide sweep of water, is an especially pretty place to lay out a family picnic and watch the lights of the city flicker in the distance. Neither location will deliver the full drone show, but both make for a very pleasant summer evening.
If you live in the hills or simply don’t fancy driving “down the hill” at night, Lions Lookout in Lesmurdie is a popular choice. This lookout, perched on the escarpment near Welshpool Road East, offers sweeping nighttime views across the coastal plain towards Perth. The fireworks will appear small and distant, so binoculars can help, but families often enjoy the novelty of watching the entire city twinkle below as the sky lights up.
Rockingham Foreshore – a separate family fireworks event
For families living south of Perth, or those keen to make a day of it at the beach, the Rockingham foreshore is the next major place to find a dedicated Australia Day fireworks display in 2026. The City of Rockingham’s Celebrate Australia Day event is scheduled to run in the evening at Churchill Park and Bell Park along the foreshore, with a family‑friendly program of live entertainment, children’s activities, roaming performers, food stalls and community groups before the fireworks finale over Cockburn Sound.
This event has become a much‑loved part of Rockingham’s annual Summer Series, with the fireworks capping off the early evening program. Families tend to arrive from late afternoon to secure a good spot on the grass, let the kids enjoy the amusements and soak up the beach‑side atmosphere. Parking in the foreshore precinct can be tight, so public transport – especially buses connecting from Rockingham Train Station – is strongly recommended. For up‑to‑date times and program details, it’s best to check the City of Rockingham’s events page closer to the date at City of Rockingham – Events.
Final tips for families in 2026
Because the Australia Day fireworks and drone show in Perth are now carefully choreographed to be seen and heard from specific vantage points, it’s more important than ever to decide what matters most to your family: the full immersive experience at Langley Park, a more relaxed picnic with partial views along the river, or a separate foreshore celebration like Rockingham’s.
Whichever spot you choose, plan ahead. Check event pages such as Visit Perth – Australia Day and Australia Day Perth for the latest information on times, accessibility, road closures, public transport and any changes due to weather or fire warnings. Pack plenty of water, sun protection and snacks, and consider ear muffs for little ones who may find the fireworks too loud. With a bit of preparation, 2026 can still be a magical Australia Day night under the Perth sky.
Langley Park Australia Day 2026 Fireworks & Drone Show
Address: Langley Park, 103 Birdiya Drive, Perth WA 6000
Opening hours: Open daily; Australia Day festival program typically from 3pm until after the evening show (check event schedule for exact times)
Website: Visit Perth – Australia Day
Rockingham Foreshore Celebrate Australia Day Fireworks
Address: Churchill Park & Bell Park, Rockingham Beach Road, Rockingham WA 6168
Opening hours: Parks open daily; event typically runs early evening to around 8.45pm (check event listing for confirmed 2026 program)
Website: City of Rockingham – Events
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
This article might have been useful in the past but from 2023 onwards they have canned the usual Australia Day fireworks over the Swan River. Instead they’re doing a much smaller display at Langley Park. I don’t know if you’ll still be able to see the Langley Park fireworks at all of these spots…
There is no fireworks this year from what I’m reading. Just some lazer show which can only been seen from one location.