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WESTERN AUSTRALIA DAY (WA)

When is Western Australia Day (WA) in 2024?

Western Australia Day (WA) in 2024 is on the Monday, 3rd of Jun (6/03/2024).

Western Australia Day (WA) is on the 155th day of 2024. There are 211 days left in the year.

Western Australia Day (WA) Facts

  • Date: Jun 03, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Foundation Day
  • Celebrations: Celebrations; festivals, shopping, barbeque, movies
Western Australia Day (WA) iImage Credit: Wikipedia

Formerly known as Foundation Day, the public holiday is celebrated in Western Australia on the first Monday in June. Western Australia Day aims at commemorating the time Swan River Colony was founded in 1829. Since this holiday falls at the same time with Queens Birthday, the state of Western Australia holds its separate celebration in September or October.

History of Western Australia Day

The first European group to land in Western Australia was the Dutch explorers who arrived in the 17th century. The French followed shortly after. However, the two groups didn’t stay long since they were not positive about the region’s potential.

In 1826, the first group of British settlers established a territory in Western Australia. A year later, the British commenced explorations along the west coast of Australia. Admiral Sir James Stirling who led the team of explorers recommended the establishment of a permanent settlement in the Swan River area.

In 1829, Sir James Stirling returned to the Swan River area with a navy vessel namely HMS Challenger and a merchant ship named Parmelia. On June 1, 1829, the merchant ship sighted the West Coast of Australia but reached the anchor the following day. Several other ships arrived in the area later in the year.

In 1832, the Swan River Colony was renamed Western Australia, and Stirling became the administrator.

In 1834, Sir James decided to unite all the settlers, masters, servants and the native Australians within the colony by holding an annual celebration. June 1st was chosen since it coincided with the first sighting of the west coast from Parmelia. The date also marked an important victory by the Britons over the French in 1794. The holiday was given the name Foundation Day.

In April 2012, the holiday’s name was changed to Western Australia Day to recognize the history of the native Aboriginal people of the land.

How to Celebrate Western Australia Day

The long Western Australia Day weekend is full of activities. The celebrations kick off on Friday night with the Western Australian of the Year Awards. The event aims at recognizing the individuals who have not only excelled in their fields but also brought positive change to the Western Australian community.

There are seven recognized award categories namely Business, Community, Aboriginal, Arts& Culture, Professions, Sport and Youth. The overall winner is usually selected from one of the categories. So, prepare to attend the awards or nominate someone that you feel deserves recognition.

Another great way to mark the holiday would be attending the Western Australian festival events. The festivals are free to the public, and they are held in the metropolitan and regional areas of the state.

You can also visit the Swan Bell Tower in Perth. The tower provides a perfect view of the Swan River and the city of Perth. Boasting of a set of 18 hanging bells the tower stands at 82.5 meters making it the largest musical instrument on earth.

Since the holiday falls in winter, you can host a barbecue with friends and family as you chase the cold away.

If you are indoors all day long, plan to watch a documentary about the British Empire and colonization in Australia. Some of the popular titles include The Story of India and Empire and British Empire in Colour.

Western Australia Day is also a good time to go shopping. Most of the retail stores usually run weeklong offers and discounts. It is, therefore, a perfect opportunity to buy your family that household item you had promised them.

Be sure to wish your friends a happy Western Australia Day on social media using the hashtag #WesternAustraliaDay.

Facts about Western Australia

• Of all the states in Australia, Western Australia is the largest. It occupies a third of the entire country

• Western Australia produces approximately 70% of all the gold mined in Australia,

• Western Australia supplies the most seafood in the world. Among them are lobsters, pearls and lobsters.

• The first person to explore Swan River was a Dutchman named Willem De Vlamingh. Willem discovered the river in 1697 and named it after its numerous black swans.

• Perth is the world’s most isolated city with Adelaide being the closest at over 2000 km away.

• Singapore and Jakarta are closer to Perth than to Canberra.

• West Australia’s coastline is more than 12,500km long

• Western Australia has the longest stretch of straight railway in the world

• The biggest park in the world is King’s Park located in Perth

Western Australia Day (WA) Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of Australia in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
FridayFriJan 26, 2024Jan 26Australia Day
MondayMonMar 04, 2024Mar 04Labour Day (WA)
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11Canberra Day (ACT)
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11Eight Hours Day (TAS)
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11Labour Day (VIC)
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter Sunday
MondayMonApr 01, 2024Apr 01Easter Monday
ThursdayThuApr 25, 2024Apr 25Anzac Day
MondayMonMay 06, 2024May 06May Day (NT)
MondayMonJun 03, 2024Jun 03Western Australia Day (WA)
MondayMonJun 10, 2024Jun 10King's Birthday (Most region)
MondayMonAug 05, 2024Aug 05Picnic Day (NT)
WednesdayWedSep 25, 2024Sep 25King's Birthday (WA)
MondayMonOct 07, 2024Oct 07Labour Day (Most Region)
MondayMonOct 07, 2024Oct 07King's Birthday (QLD)
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas Day
ThursdayThuDec 26, 2024Dec 26Boxing Day
TuesdayTueDec 31, 2024Dec 31New Year's Eve

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day