Aussies mark national day with dancing and fireworks

Sydney : Thousands of revellers lined the streets of Australia's cities yesterday as the country celebrated its national day.

With a line-up boasting traditional Aboriginal dancing, tall ships racing from Sydney Harbour, concerts and fireworks, the 10-hour non-stop entertainment kicked off at 8am.

As well as an indigenous ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens, in Sydney, crowds were also treated to marathon barbecues, while swimmers took part in the Great Australia Day Swim from Middle Brighton Pier, in Melbourne.

The day marked the 222nd anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet and culminated with huge fireworks displays across the country.

Highlights of the day included the colourful Ferrython from Sydney Harbour — which thousands clad in Australian flag shirts watched from Shark Island or the Harbour Bridge.

After the Tall Ships Race a navy Sea King helicopter put on a stunning aerial display while towing a huge Australian flag.

However, with temperatures soaring to 32 degrees in some parts of Australia, some revellers decided to enjoy their own celebrations — while lazing a the beach.

During his Australia Day speech in Canberra, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid tribute to solo sailor Jessica Watson.

The 16-year-old, from Queensland, is attempting to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, non-stop and unassisted.

Rudd said: "Jessica Watson is no ordinary young Australian. She is an extraordinary young Australian and some 5,000 nautical miles west of Cape Town, she wanted me today to wish you all a very happy Australia Day."

— Daily Mail