The day is traditionally marked by wearing a sprig of wattle or the colours of green and gold to mark the outbreak of spring colour across the landscape.

It's a day for all Australians to shake off the winter blues and celebrate spring. Sutherland Shire residents in particular have a chance to celebrate our national flower by visiting the Joseph Banks Native Plant Reserve in Manooka Place, Kareela.

The 2.2-hectare reserve has more than 30 species of wattle and is one of only a few specialised gardens in Sydney devoted entirely to Australian native plants.

Sutherland Shire Council recently extended the opening hours of the reserve to 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.