The official ceremony will be held at the Town Hall - normally held at Maitland Park - and there will also be a free Big Australia Day Breakfast, free entry to Maitland and East Maitland Aquatic Centres, a Tiger Moth flyover across the city and light projections on buildings throughout Central Maitland.

"Thing will look a little different in 2021 from its previous format," Mayor Loretta Baker said. "However, the programming will provide a range of enjoyable experiences and opportunities for the community to get together and celebrate across the city."

The Australia Day Official Ceremony will include a Citizenship Ceremony for 28 new citizens and presentation of the Young Citizen and Citizen of the Year Awards. Attendance to the ceremony will be by invitation only, but the proceedings will be live streamed on the day for the community to see.

The Maitland Big Australia Day Breakfast will involve service clubs, community groups and sporting organisations hosting a free barbecue breakfast, which will be held simultaneously in multiple locations across the city.

Residents should keep their eyes peeled to the sky for the Tiger Moths flying across Maitland from 10am, pending flying conditions, and get out into Central Maitland after dark to enjoy the light projections.

A comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan will be in place for all Council run events and activities.

Council will continue to monitor and adhere to the advice from the Federal and State Governments, including any variation or modification of the public health orders.