The sails of Sydney's Opera House were lit up with the artwork of Wiradjuri-Biripi artist James P. Simon in one of the many dawn reflections around Australia ahead of January 26 festivities and protests.
Mr Simon's artwork titled River Life depicts the essential and life-giving role of waterways to Aboriginal people.
Commemorations continued with flag-raising ceremonies before some 20,600 people from 150 countries took the oath of citizenship.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a citizenship ceremony at Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra on Sunday morning, where he received a general salute from the Australian Federation Guard.
In a speech to Australia's newest citizen's, Mr Albanese praised the nation's democratic values.
"We all belong to the same proud story," he said.
In a speech to new Australian citizens, Anthony Albanese praised the nation's democratic values. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
"We are all part of a nation built by hope and hard work, aspiration and determination."
But thousands also took part in Invasion Day events in major cities across the country, with organisers adamant January 26, the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, was not a day to celebrate.
The events were largely peaceful with a few minor scuffles between protesters and members of the public.
Police in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane reported that no arrests were made.
A huge crowd turned out for an Invasion Day rally in Sydney. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)
In Sydney, protesters gathered at Belmore Park in Haymarket while in the ACT the event took place at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
In Melbourne, tens of thousands lined the steps of state parliament, in what organisers described as the biggest turnout to date.
Activists in Hobart also marched to state parliament, while other protests and cultural events were held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australia Day was about celebrating living in the best country in the world.
"It is an incredible day. We live in an amazing country and we should treat it as such," he told reporters in Moreton Bay.
"As we celebrate the best country in the world, we do so respectfully about our Indigenous culture, but also of our British heritage, and also the great migrant story."
Impressive effort by SA farmer Harry Schuster to celebrate Australia Day! 🇦🇺🌾🚜 — National Farmers' Federation (@NationalFarmers) pic.twitter.com/34HXtbEuGDJanuary 25, 2025
Deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley used a speech at an Australia Day mass to compare the First Fleet's arrival to billionaire Elon Musk's bid to explore Mars.
"Just like astronauts arriving on Mars those first settlers would be confronted with a different and strange world, full of danger, adventure and potential," she said.
Music lovers were set to descend on Sydney Harbour for the Australia Day Live concert against the backdrop of the opera house, while other free concerts were being held around the nation.
As some Australians attended Australia Day commemorations or protest rallies, many others headed for the beach, barbecues or the pub as the temperature rose.
In Brisbane, a woman wearing an Australian flag hat told AAP that Australia Day should remain on January 26, saying it was a day to spend time with friends.
A child with an Aboriginal flag at an Invasion Day rally in Brisbane. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
"I don't see why it should change. I was born here, I'm an Australian," she said.
"I think people just take it all too seriously."
She and her friends had lunch by Brisbane's South Bank and had planned a dinner of ribs to finish off the day.
"We're just enjoying being Australians," she said.
40°C