Olympian Harry Garside Joins Woodchoppers for Sydney Harbour Spectacle
Sydney Harbour is set to host one of the year's most unexpected and thrilling spectacles, blending rural tradition, elite sport, and pure Australian nostalgia into a single unforgettable evening. To celebrate tickets going on sale for the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Australia's most beloved woodchoppers are bringing their axes to the heart of the city, joined by Olympic boxer Harry Garside for a live, free public event at Circular Quay.
Event Details and Highlights
The event will take place on Tuesday, 17 February, from 5 to 7 pm at Northern Wharf near the Overseas Passenger Terminal. This unique showcase promises to merge city energy with country grit in a way that feels distinctly Australian. Commuters and visitors will be treated to axes flying, timber splitting, and elite-level woodchopping demonstrations against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
Woodchopping has long been one of the Sydney Royal Easter Show's biggest crowd-pullers, but experiencing it live in the Central Business District offers a fresh perspective. This sport is built on technique, power, balance, and endurance, and watching elite competitors in action up close provides a new appreciation for their incredible skill.
Harry Garside's Participation
Adding to the excitement, Olympic boxer Harry Garside will swap his boxing gloves for an axe and try his hand at one of Australia's toughest traditional sports. His live reaction, learning curve, and attempt to master the discipline will inject a layer of fun and unpredictability into the showcase. It is not often you get to see an Olympian humbled by a log, and that human, relatable moment is part of what makes this activation so compelling to watch.
Free Giveaways and Nostalgia
This event is not just a spectacle; it is also a giveaway moment that leans hard into Australian childhood nostalgia. There will be 300 free Bertie Beetle Showbags up for grabs, along with opportunities to win tickets to the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show. This activation blends experience with reward, creating memories that stick.
For commuters finishing work, tourists exploring the harbour, and locals who love a good surprise pop-up, this is an easy win. No tickets, bookings, or barriers are required—just turn up, watch elite sport in action, grab a showbag, and soak up a slice of classic Australian culture in a modern setting.
Bringing the Bush to the Harbour
The Sydney Royal Easter Show has always been about connecting city and country, and this event captures that spirit perfectly. It takes one of the Show's most iconic rural competitions and drops it into the centre of the city, making it accessible, visual, and social-media ready without losing its authenticity.
With champions like Brad De Losa and other elite competitors on site, the skill level on display will be as impressive as the setting. Add in the harbour views, ferry traffic, Opera House skyline, and crowd energy, and it becomes a rare moment where tradition and modern Sydney collide in the best way.
A Taste of the 2026 Show
This Circular Quay activation is more than a pop-up; it is a teaser for what's coming at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, where woodchopping will once again be one of the most anticipated live competitions. It reminds people why the Show continues to matter across generations—not just as an event, but as a cultural institution that connects Australians to their roots while staying current.
From elite athletes and iconic competitions to showbags and shared memories, this is the Sydney Royal Easter Show doing what it does best: blending tradition, entertainment, and community in a way that feels timeless and fresh at the same time. If you are in the city on Tuesday evening, this is one of those moments worth detouring for. Axes flying at sunset, an Olympian trying something new, free showbags, and the harbour as a backdrop make for an extraordinary commute home.
