Second Sunday of September
National Bilby Day
Sunday 13th of September 2026
National Bilby Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a heartfelt, nationwide call to action to protect one of Australia’s most iconic and endangered marsupials: the Greater Bilby.
This vital day was established in 2005, thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationist Frank Manthey OAM, co-founder of Save the Bilby Fund. Remarkably, it remains the only gazetted national day in Australia dedicated to a native species, a powerful recognition of just how important the bilby is to our natural heritage.
2026 Marks the 21st Anniversary of National Bilby Day. Let’s make this milestone year the biggest and boldest yet, for the bilbies, for biodiversity, and for future generations.
Join us and passionate supporters across Australia (and beyond!) on the second Sunday in September every year to come together to celebrate, fundraise, and spread awareness. Together, we can ensure the bilby’s future remains wild and free. This year, locations all over Australia are lighting up green! Join them and Go Green!
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This day is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action to prevent the bilby from facing the same tragic fate as the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger), which was declared extinct on what we now commemorate as National Threatened Species Day, September 7th 1936.
Once widespread across 70% of the continent, bilby numbers have plummeted due to introduced predators like cats and foxes, as well as habitat destruction. The bilby is a flagship species as its survival is intertwined with the health of many other native animals and their ecosystems. If the bilby disappears, it’s a sign that others may not be far behind. By protecting bilbies, we’re helping to preserve Australia’s biodiversity.
Ways to celebrate and get involved
Our amazing bilby supporters find all sorts of creative and heartfelt ways to celebrate National Bilby Day each year, and we absolutely love seeing your passion in action!
From school and club fundraisers to bilby-themed parties, your efforts help raise both vital funds and awareness for bilby conservation. Whether you’re baking bilby-shaped cupcakes, hosting a trivia night, or setting up a donation drive, every event makes a difference.
Sign-up
Sign up to host a fundraiser today and help us in our fight to save the bilby from extinction in our lifetimes.
- Register yourself or your team today.
- Choose your preferred date to celebrate National Bilby Day
- Get started with your very own fundraising page.
Fundraise
Spread awareness on the plight of bilbies in the wild on your nominated date and raise vital funds to help save the bilby from extinction.
LIGHT IT UP GREEN
You can light up your own home, school or business and #GoGreenForBilbies!
We’re teaming up with cities across Australia to Go Green for Bilbies from Friday to Sunday!
Keep an eye out for landmarks near you lighting up in vibrant green to show their support.
DRESS UP IN GREEN
Dress up in green at your school or workplace and encourage everyone to donate a gold coin to Save the Bilby Fund.
A simple gold coin donation can make a big difference!
HOST AN EVENT
Make it fun!
Organise a morning tea, wear bilby ears, or decorate your classroom or office with bilby-themed art.
Host a Bake Sale
What treats do you think a bilby would like? Green themed bakes are fun and delicious.
Organise a Bilby Scavenger Hunt
Set up a fun and educational scavenger hunt with bilby-themed clues hidden throughout the learning environment. This hands-on activity encourages exploration, problem-solving, and active engagement as children uncover fascinating facts about bilbies along the way.
GET CRAFTY
Host a Sunday afternoon of Bilby Crafts with loved ones.
Create crafts at your school, and showcase them on Go Green for Bilbies Friday 12th September.
It’s a fun way for children to get creative while learning all about what makes bilbies so special!
Become a Bilby
Download some Bilby Ears and lope to it.
Craft a bilby tail and host a parade!
EDUCATE ABOUT BILBIES
Learn about the Bilby
Check out our resources to help educate your class about The Greater Bilby.
Don’t forget to download Billy the Bilby’s Big Adventure!
National Bilby Day is a wonderful fit with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework, which encourages educators to create meaningful opportunities for children to explore and connect with the natural world.
Celebrating this day can help foster a deeper understanding of the environment, strengthen children’s sense of belonging, and inspire them to become active participants in caring for the world around them.
Share
Share your online fundraising page and plans for National Bilby Day with your local community. We’re here to help you all of the way.
- Share on social media - #NationalBilbyDay and tag @SaveTheBilbyFund
- Promote on your website
- Gather your friends and family
- Connect with your local community
Don’t forget to let us know! Email us at supportercare@savethebilbyfund.org.au to tell us how you’re going green. We’d love to celebrate your efforts and share them with the bilby-loving community!
Resources
Every action, no matter how small, helps protect this iconic species and keep its story alive for future generations. From big events to small gestures, everything you do helps keep the bilby’s story alive. Your support enables vital conservation work, from predator-proof enclosures to rewilding programs and education initiatives across the country.
Let’s join together to ensure that the bilby’s future stays wild, free, and thriving.
Let’s make this National Bilby Day the biggest and boldest yet!