Australia Day 2026

Australia Day in Beautiful Berrima!

When: Monday, 26 January 2026 | 9.00 am –2.00 pm
Where: Historic Berrima Village

Join us for an unforgettable Australia Day celebration in the heart of the Southern Highlands!

What’s On

Time	Event details
9 - 11	Citizenship Ceremony (Includes Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year Announcement)
9 - 2	Market Stalls
9 - 2	Face painting
9.30 - 11.30	Buskers
9.30 - 1	Trackless Train & Fire Engine ride
9.30 - 1	Amusement rides
11 - 2	Live Entertainment
12 - 1	Grand Parade

A Day for the Whole Family

From amusement rides to the iconic Grand Parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Australia Day in Berrima’s picturesque village.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Ambassador

We're delighted to announce Kumar Pereira, Cook, Author & Culinary Educator, as the Australia Day Ambassador for 2026.  

Kumar Pereira is a cook, author and educator whose journey from design to cuisine has inspired thousands. Born in Sri Lanka, Kumar studied typographic design at the London College of Printing and built a distinguished career in graphic design across London and Hong Kong, where his work became part of the permanent collection at the Hong Kong Museum of History. After moving to Australia in 1988, he headed Graphic Design at TAFE NSW’s Design Centre, Enmore, until 2011.  

At 62, Kumar reinvented himself on MasterChef Australia Season 3, becoming the oldest contestant to reach the Top 12 and later returning for MasterChef All-Stars. Affectionately dubbed “The Kumanator”, he wowed audiences with his creativity and resilience, cooking dishes like crab and sea urchin salad with asparagus ice cream and Lebanese baklava without a recipe. His appearance sparked a new career in food—teaching cooking classes, hosting demonstrations across Australia and overseas, and leading culinary tours in Sri Lanka.  

Kumar’s passion for food and design converged in his acclaimed book, ‘Kumar’s Family Cookbook’ in 2013, a collection of hand-illustrated recipes blending Sri Lankan heritage with global flavours. The book, created for his sons, features family anecdotes and dishes like prawn curry, lentil balls and sticky toffee pudding. He has also published ‘Paletteables’, a set of illustrated recipe cards, and contributed to media outlets including SBS Food and ABC Radio.  

Beyond the spotlight, Kumar champions community initiatives. He worked with Beehive Industries, Sydney for many years as their Ambassador and also taught a monthly class teaching seniors how to cook nutritious, low-cost meals, proving that cooking can be simple, joyful and empowering. His culinary philosophy is rooted in inclusivity: “Food is to be shared—with family and friends - and nothing gives me greater pleasure than cooking for those I love.”  

He currently works with Hearing Australia, writing and creating healthy recipes for their quarterly magazine Hearing Matters Australia. As an Australia Day Ambassador, he celebrates diversity, creativity and the spirit of reinvention. For Kumar, being Australian means embracing opportunity, building community and sharing culture through food. 

Road closures and changes to traffic conditions

Traffic control measures, including road closures and diversions, will be in place from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm. Avoid delays by planning ahead.

• Argyle Street: Closed from Wingecarribee Street to Wilshire Street from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm. 
  
  
• Old Hume Highway: Closed from 11 am to 1 pm. No vehicles permitted to enter or leave the village during this time. Except for emergency services, parade participants and traffic controllers. Detours will be in place.
  
  

• There will be organised detours in place. Affected traffic travelling South to North will be diverted back through Moss Vale and Bowral. Affected traffic travelling North to South will be diverted down Oxley Hill Road into Bowral. Alternatively, the Hume Highway is another option to avoid having to go through town.  

• Oxley Street (East): will be closed to the public from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. Residents are permitted until the hard road closure begins at 11.00 am. 

• Jellore Street closed from 8.00 am, with residents, parade participants and those with parking permission, will be permitted through Bryan Street until the hard road closure at 11.00 am. 

• The Grand Parade will begin at 12.00 pm from Oxley Street (east) and travel south down the Old Hume Highway through Berrima to finish at Market Place Park by 1.00 pm. Parade and display participants will be arriving between 8.00 am to 11.00 am.  

• All traffic will resume and all roads will reopen as normal after 1:00 pm or when it is deemed safe to do so.  

Parking

Traffic controllers will be operating in and around Berrima on Australia Day. Parking is permitted in the village and is limited. There will be no public parking on Jellore or Bryan Street (around the Market Place Park, West) between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm. This area is designated for parade and vehicle display participants. Local residents will be permitted.

The Old Hume Highway will be closed from north of Oxley Street to over the bridge, south of Bryan Street between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm. Please plan accordingly, as vehicles parked in the village lots cannot be accessed until after 1.00  pm.

Argyle Street will be closed to all public vehicles between Wingecarribee Street and Wilshire Street from 7.00 am and 3.00 pmfor parade participants. Wilshire Street can be accessed via Oxley Street; however, it will be subject to the hard road closure between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.

Emergency Services, event staff, traffic controllers, and parade participants may use the road during closure for preparation and/or marshalling of the parade. Pedestrians should be mindful when using the road during this time. Reduced speed zones have been established outside the road closure areas.

Gallery : Australia Day 2025

 

When

Location

Berrima Market Place, 4 Market Place, Berrima, 2577, View Map