Australia Day is being marked by reflection and revelry, with events held across the nation from first light.
The sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated at dawn with artwork by Kamilaroi woman and Sydney artist Rhonda Sampson.
Ms Sampson said the artwork honoured the stories of four Gadigal women of the Eora nation.
"I hope my artwork provides an opportunity for us to reflect on and learn about the connection Gadigal people have always had with the land and waters," she said.
The Aboriginal flag and the Australian Flag were raised together on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Addressing the crowd at the dawn ceremony, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was a day of reflection.
"Our biggest fail as a country is the overwhelming disadvantage faced by so many Indigenous Australians … but I believe we have reason for hope," he said.
"Today, important conversations are taking place."
Finding a balance
In Melbourne, the city's Australia Day parade has been cancelled for a day of "inclusive" events at Federation Square.
Speaking at the flag raising ceremony at Government House, Victoria's governor, Linda Dessau, asked Victorians to engage in the January 26 debate "in a way that heals rather than in a way that wounds".
"The continuing success of our nation depends on a balanced recognition of those who have cared for it for millennia, those who have built and protected the modern nation and those who have joined us and continue to join us adding their culture skills and contributions," she said.
Revheads on the run
Mullets fly and diesel burns as revheads mark Australia Day in the Northern Territory.
In Darwin, about a hundred decked-out utes make the Ute Run from Hidden Valley raceway to the Noonamah pub.
The event typically raises thousands of dollars for a charity for children living with a disability.
Thousands expected in Adelaide
Almost 50,000 people are expected across two days at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama in Adelaide's CBD.
Australia Day began with a Mourning in the Morning ceremony.
South Australia's Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher said it was an "important ceremony" which has grown each year.
"It is a recognition that it is a very difficult day and allows that grieving and that mourning for Aboriginal people in this country," he said.
From a soaking to a slip 'n' slide
This time last week, Finch Hatton's showgrounds were under water.
The small town west of Mackay was inundated with more than 1,000 millimetres of rain in a six-day storm that soaked north Queensland.
On Australia Day, kids sprayed each other with hoses and skidded along a slip 'n' slide where just a week before there had been floodwaters.
Local woman Mel Hicks said the community stood by each other.
"Rain, hail or shine, we'll all stick together and look after each other ... that's being Australian."
A dinghy and a driftwood wishing tree
Rainbow Rick raised a smile with a beach sculpture in Port Macquarie, NSW.
Rick Thomson-Jones makes outdoor sculptures to mark public holidays.
This years' featured a dinghy and driftwood wishing tree.
"I figure if it gives somebody a smile, it's worthwhile," Mr Thomson-Jones said.
"This one took me a lot longer than I expected … I was here yesterday evening until 10pm and I came back at 2am this morning to finish it and worked through."
Snow cone queues and sought-after shade
It was a 30-minute wait for snow cones in Sydney's west on one of the hottest days of the summer there so far.
The most sought-after spots were in the shade at Parramatta Park's Australia Day event, where the Billai family were taking a break from the heat.
Dinesh Billai was celebrating his first Australia Day with his family.
"It's exciting … we are coming from India and we also have our [national] day on the same day," he said.
'Glad to call myself Australian'
South Perth's newest citizens were welcomed on the shores of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River).
Mary Ward came to Australia from Nigeria at 16.
Mrs Ward, who works as a nurse, said she was glad to call herself Australian.
"I also want to use this opportunity to recognise the Indigenous people, the Aboriginal people, that own this land — the elders past, present and emerging," she said.
"I'm grateful to them for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Australian society and to call myself Australian today."
Ocean swim for the ages
The Newcastle Harbour Ocean Swim has been a fixture for generations.
The Australia Day event has been going for nearly 30 years.
"We've got people volunteering here that are the grandchildren of the people that started to run the event 28 years ago," said Paul Bernard, who is one of the organisers.
"We're just happy that we've been able to achieve such a long-term event for the community."
Roach racing
Brisbane's Australia Day cockroach race — now in its 40th year — began after a bet between two friends.
Hundreds flocked to the event on Thursday at an inner-city hotel.
It features 14 different types of races, and people can bring their own cockroach or buy one there.
The roaches are released from a small bucket and scramble to the finish line, as punters cheer on their chosen one.
The race raises money for charity.
Shark sighting clears waters at Burleigh
Hundreds of Australia Day beachgoers at Burleigh, on Queensland's Gold Coast, were told to get out of the surf due to shark sightings in the afternoon.
Lifesavers cleared the water of swimmers at about 4:30pm.
The surf lifesaving helicopter was called in to check the area, and sounded the alarm to alert swimmers nearby.
Lifesavers on jet skis and the helicopter are continuing to search the coast around Burleigh.
