The vandalism unfolded in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Australia Day is a divisive holiday that critics see as a symbol of racism and oppression.

Thousands soaked in the sand, sunshine and waves as Sydney turned on a glorious summer day with temperatures in the high 20s.Visiting from Czechia, Marie Chybova and Milos Chyba, with son Martin Chyba and his partner Aneta Rohlikova draped themselves in Australia attire and waved the Australia,

People are set to gather around the country today to mark Australia Day, with a mix of citizenship ceremonies and other celebrations, as well as protests, to take place.

Two historic statues were damaged in Melbourne ahead of Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, with tens of thousands of people across the country joining protests in support of Aboriginal groups who say the date is not one to cheer.

Tens of thousands of people across the country joined protests in support of Aboriginal groups, who say the date is not one to celebrate.