In the lead-up to Australia Day, we asked you to send in photos of what you loved about our country.

You responded in droves; we received thousands of entries and our gallery of the best submissions ended up with nearly 600 images.

We've gone through the gallery to select the best of the best, and here, in no particular order, are the top 10 things you appreciate about "the lucky country".

1. 'The best' beaches

Whether you're seeking a swim or a surf or a snorkel or a sand castle, you'll find it all at our beaches.

Some Australians choose to enjoy the safety between the flags on a pure stretch of sand, while others prefer fishing off the rocks on a remote and desolate coast.

Clockwise from top left: Freedom by Miryana Trinajstic, Bombs Away by Melanie Keely, Surfing by Jennifer Gow, Great Ocean Wonder by Mark Herron, Whitsundays by Cara Brown, Great Barrier Reef by Michelle Rogers.

2. Our adorable mammals

Whether they're cute, cuddly, or fearsome, our furry neighbours are dearly loved.

Clockwise from top left: Possum Magic by Karen Visser, Koala and Joey by Leisa Moore, Pretty-Faced Wallabies by David Higgins, Fat-Tailed Dunnart by Nicole Baboucek, Kangaroo by Sylvana Ransley, Committee Meeting by Karen Paul.

3. Our beautiful birds

Not only is our birdlife plentiful, it's also colourful, unique, and often noisy.

While people in other countries only ever see our parrots in cages, we have the privilege of seeing them flying free.

And our birds are clever: the cockatoo pictured here had learned to turn on the tap at the water bubbler.

Clockwise from top left: Car Park Attendant by Piercy Porter, Fairy Wren by Martin Turmine, Bindoon Bird Life by Agnes Beaton, Prancing Brolga by Guy Skillen, Clarence River & Country by Debrah Novak, Male Emu & His Chicks by David Woodside, Hot in the City by Ingrid Suter, Crimson Rosellas by Shionagh Goold.

4. The bush

Several photographers commented that what they loved most about the bush was the people, while others appreciated the scenery and the serenity.

Clockwise from top left: Breakfast Creek near Nimbin by Peter Ptschelinzew, Broken Back Range by Lindsay Threadgate, Central Canberra by Lindy Orthia, River Crossing by Lindy Buckley, Splitters Creek by Mary Taylor, Snow in the Highlands by Mary Taylor.

5. Our mix of cultures

Many Australians commented on their love of our cultural diversity.

The football team pictured here consisted of kids from 10 different racial backgrounds, and they were "a wonderful group of friends".

Clockwise from top left: Clarence River & Country by Debrah Novak, Aboriginal Hunting Group by Arthur Palmer, Inclusive by Marcus Edwards, Multicultural by Michael Hoebert.

6. The outback

Hot, red, dry and somehow still bursting with life. Many photographers told us how living in or travelling through the heart of Australia had shaped who they were as people.

Clockwise from top left: Down South by Craig Gee, Spirit of the North by Kerry Sharp, Inland Sunrise by Lynda Snowden, Long Time Abandoned by Paul Loughry, Solitude by David Robertson, Petrolheads by David Robertson.

7. Our major cities

Whether it's relaxing in Adelaide, eating mangos in Darwin or road-tripping to Perth, Australians love to be in their capital cities.

Clockwise from top left: Celebrating Queensland by amber Kennington, MONA in Hobart by Julie Hollow, Our Changing Cities by John Skene, Flinders Street Station by Abhijit Ghate, Melbourne Laneway by Reinhardt Matisons, Tall Ships by Howard Mitchell.

8. Our creepy crawlies

It might seem strange to people from other countries, and even to some Aussies, but it would appear that many Australians love all things that slither, hop, and hang, regardless of how deadly they might be.

Clockwise from top left: Redback by Fay Stenhouse, Natural World by Kevin Coppalotti, Fence Skinks by Kay Spence, Critters by Jennifer Gow, Fauna by Elijah Stewart.

9. Our sporting culture

You sent us dozens of photos of cricket matches on beaches, in backyards, and in sweeping paddocks. This is a country that loves its sport.

Clockwise from top left: Beach Cricket by Karen Burnham, Sporting Nation by Angela Blasonato, Footy at the MCG by the Blackshaws, Bathurst by Doug Ford, Women's Cricket by Bryan Shanahan.

10. Our native flora

Many Australian children grow up with stories of the blossom babies Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, and it appears this love of our unique flora sticks with them into adulthood.

Clockwise from top left: Illawarra Flame Tree by Caylie Jeffrey, Gum Blossoms by Mary Taylor, Rosella in Grevillea by Hilary Robertson, Sturt's Desert Pea by Ben Wyschnja, Banksia by Craig Wilson.

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for the gallery.