Is there a definitive way to spend Australia Day in Sydney?

Conventional wisdom would tell you to converge on Circular Quay, where fanfare and bluster about what makes Australia great fills the sails of the tall ships that race under the Harbour Bridge each year.

But a national occasion often enough can be an intimate affair.

After all, Sydneysiders are a diverse bunch. While some of us relax by the pool in Liverpool or catch a sunburn in Auburn, the Hills are alive with revellers all the way down to Bankstown. The Bays (Double, Rose or Watsons) teem with swimmers lining the cove.

And as the sausages sizzle, shoes are swapped for thongs and glasses are clinked over potato salad, Australia's day ends up just that.

So here's to the backyards and local parks. The town squares and main drags that don't feature in Qantas advertisements or on postcards. Because around Sydney on January 26 councils and community groups will all be spending their day differently.

The City

Harbour Parade: Vessels of all shapes and sizes adorned with different colours and flags will join a flotilla making its way around the harbour. The 'best-dressed' vessel will be presented with an award at the finish line (12:45pm-2:15pm).

Great Sydney Swim: Swimmers from hardened open-water paddlers to local pool aficionados are expected to take part in the ultimate leg of the Great Australian Swim when it finishes in Sydney Harbour on January 26. For those experienced enough, there's the 2km swim around Farm Cove from the Opera House. For less experienced swimmers, there's the 750m and 300m events (8:30am-10:30am). Booking required.

Ferrython: One of the day's most popular events, witness the annual Ferrython as Sydney's famous ferries carve up the harbour in a race to the finish line underneath the harbour bridge. Bring a picnic and your binoculars, and find a vantage point to cheer on your favourite vessel (11am to 11.45am). Booking required.

Tug & Yacht Ballet: More nautical action as a fleet of 10 yachts and 2 tugboats tack in unison in the harbour, gracefully darting from one direction to another to the musical score Leo Delibes' Pizzicato from the ballet Sylvia blasted around Port Jackson. For the best vantage point, pull up a rug at Bradfield Park, the Opera House or Dawes Point (12pm to 6pm). Booking required.

Smoking Ceremony: More than 500 children from the NSW Public Schools Choir are set to take part in a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony at seven different points around the harbour. Each child will place leaves from around the world into the fire, creating the cleansing smoke central to the ceremony (11:45am-12pm).

The North

Hornsby: In Hornsby Park, watch the wise-cracking acrobatic comedy of The Crackup Sisters, Aboriginal dance, and get up close with native Australian fauna with the Australian Wildlife Talk (11am-3pm).

Ku-ring-gai: Families are welcomed to Bicentennial Park in West Pymble, where Shaun the Sheep, local bush bands, the Wuruniri Music and Dance Group, a reptile show, and sheep shearing demonstrations will entertain. Meanwhile, kids can try their hand at thong-throwing, amusement rides, and free laser tag (10:30am-1pm).

Lane Cove: Stop by Lane Cove Plaza for a sausage sizzle and live music in the morning (10am-1pm).

North Sydney: Drop by the Celtic festival at Bradfield Park at the foot of the Harbour Bridge, with activities such as face-painting, live entertainment and pool inflatables running all day (10am-5:30pm).

Pittwater: At Newport's Bert Payne Reserve, dig into a cooked breakfast, get amongst activities on the beach, roving entertainment, kids amusement rides, as well live music (7:30am-11:30am).

Ryde: A free day at North Ryde common filled with rides for kids, as well as live entertainment from the likes of Jdance, In Pieces, Kick, Last Stand, finishing off with fireworks finale at 9pm (5pm-9:30pm).

Warringah: Start the day with a big barbecue breakfast at Dee Why beach from 7am, followed by kids' activities on giant giant waterslides, camel rides, and of course, thong throwing (7am-12pm).

The Hills: At Bella Vista Farm, blacksmithing displays, sheep-shearing, whip-cracking, working dog demonstrations, face-painting, balloon-twisting, yard games, and cubby house-making are set to run throughout the day. There'll also be an animal farm, pop-up library, and hat-making workshop - all free. The fireworks will kick off at 8:35pm (Noon-8:35pm).

The South

Hurstville: There's a Minions show at Oatley Park, plus dance fiesta featuring Sportacus and Stephanie from Lazytown, Wild Aussie Animals and Eddie Spaghetti (10am-4pm).

Kogarah: Enjoy the day on the foreshore of the Georges River at Carss Bush Park, with entertainment from Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, flamenco and Macedonian dancers, a kung fu demonstration and live music. Market stalls will be serving food the whole day with an impressive fireworks finale starting at 9pm (10am-9pm).

Rockdale: Grab a snag at the community sausage sizzle, with lamington-making, face-painting, and live performances for kids throughout the morning at Depena Reserve. Aboriginal dancing and a drumming workshop will round off the afternoon (8:15am-1pm).

Sutherland: Starting after lunch on Gerrale Street, Cronulla, entertainment will be provided by local musicians Australian Played, Busby Marou, Dragon, Mark Vincent and Rachael Beck. Spectators will be able to enjoy the fireworks from 9pm on the beach (1pm-9pm).

The East

Randwick: Waterslides will be set up at Coogee Beach alongside other inflatable amusements (10am-2pm). At Little Bay, take your picnic to the bush dance celebrations.

Botany Bay: A picnic followed by the running of the Botany Bay Gift is on at Sir Joseph Banks Park. (Noon-4.30pm)

The Inner West

Ashfield: Ashfield Aquatic Centre is open its doors free from 10am, and will feature games, races, a barbecue dinner and "dive-in" movie in the evening at 8pm (10am-8pm).

Marrickville: Enmore Park will be lined with market stalls selling international foods in addition to a jumping castle, wildlife displays, blacksmithing demonstrations, face-painting, as well as entertainment from Jay Laga'aia of Play School fame. A fireworks display will commence at 8:45pm (3pm-9pm).

Strathfield: Strathfield Park will be hosting kids' activities in the morning, including face-painting, a jumping castle, and a sausage sizzle (8:30am-1pm).

The Greater West

Auburn: Cathy Freeman Park will transform into a fairground with carnival rides, pony rides, and an Australian farmyard experience, alongside music guests and traditional dance performances. Players from the Canterbury Bulldogs, the Western Sydney Wanderers and Greater Western Sydney Giants will be running sports activities too (Noon-7:45pm).

Bankstown: At Paul Keating Park, music and dance performances are on all day with a free barbecue at noon. (10am-3pm).

Blacktown: Musical performances from The McClymonts, Jason Owen, At Sunset, VTribe will run throughout the day at The Rooty Hill (Eastern Road). The evening will finish with a fireworks spectacular. (4pm-9.30pm).

Burwood: There will be a night screening of Minions in Burwood Park at 8pm.

Camden: Activities will take place in John Street such as face-painting, jumping castles, a thong throwing competition, as well as Australiana-themed market stalls and roaming entertainment (8am-1pm).

Campbelltown: Entertainment, a talent showcase, carnival rides, and market stalls will begin at 4pm at Koshigaya Park. A fireworks display will start at 9pm (4pm-9:30pm).

Canterbury: Grab your togs and head down to the Canterbury Aquatic and Fitness Centre, where there'll be a DJ, jumping castles, a water slide, a sausage sizzle and food stalls. There'll also be free Australia Day tattoos and ice blocks (10am-3pm).

Liverpool: Woodward Park will be home to a host of rides and performances on the main stage, featuring Jessica Jade, with market and food stalls and a lively separate kids stage featuring Ruby Star's Circus Show at 4.30pm. Fireworks start at 9pm (1pm-9pm).

Parramatta: Start the day at 6am with the launch of Sydney's biggest hot air balloon sky display. Later, enjoy rides, food stalls and family entertainment in Parramatta Park. There'll also be an auto show for car lovers, Australian bands, entertainment by Nickelodeon, a barbecue, and fireworks at 9pm (6am-9pm).

Penrith: Shannon Noll will be headlining Australia Day performances at Penrith Lakes, which will also include Freestyle Kings, SplashDance and Sam Moran of The Wiggles, and NeWest. The night will finish off with fireworks at 9pm (6pm-9pm).