Indigenous Australians have hit the streets with signs in hand, to celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the start of NAIDOC Week.

More than 1000 people marched in the peaceful protest through Melbourne's CBD on Friday.

The march covered 2.6km, starting from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service at Fitzroy heading for Federation Square.

NAIDOC march celebrates Aboriginal culture and tradition, with a theme chosen for each year

The march covers a 2.6km distance bringing Melbourne's CBD traffic to a standstill

Young Indigenous people performed a traditional dance at the march (pictured, left and right)

A smoking ceremony is also conducted during the NAIDOC week march (pictured)

Many protesters were seen holding signs saying 'Stop black deaths in custody'

The theme for 2018 is celebrating female role models in the Aboriginal community

'We welcome all people, councils, organisations and businesses to come and march with us,' organisers said.

Celebrations continue after the march at Federation Square with a concert.

While the protesters were marching in celebration for Aboriginal achievements, they also had a deeper message.

Brian Liddle Jr (pictured, left and right) participates in the march on Friday July 6

A woman throws her fist into the air (pictured) during the peaceful march that swarmed Melbourne's streets

Two Indigenous children chant (pictured) as they walk along with the rest of the march

Smoking ceremonies are an ancient custom where native plants are burnt to produce smoke to ward off bad spirits, acknowledge ancestors and pay respect to the land and sea of country

A sign reads: 'Bcos of her we can,' (pictured bottom right) tying to the 2018 NAIDOC march theme

Many were also protesting for Aboriginal rights and an end to Indigenous deaths in custody.

Others were seen clutching signs with the words 'Stop black deaths in custody'.

The march proceeded peacefully down Bourke St, with police reporting no violence throughout the day.

Thousands of people participated in the NAIDOC march, flooding the streets of Melbourne (pictured)

A child smiles for the camera, holding onto a banner that reads: 'no room for racism' (pictured)

The peaceful march celebrates the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, marking the start of NAIDOC week

Natashia Corrigan-Ellis and her son Brian Liddle Jr (pictured) participated in the march

Thousands of people who marched shared their passion for Indigenous culture

Many people wore clothing with the Indigenous flag, decorating themselves with black, red and yellow

Many people took signs to the march, one reads: 'no pride in genocide' (pictured top right)

A girl sits on the shoulders of a man (pictured) as she grasps onto the Indigenous flag

Robbie Thorpe talks to crowds during the NAIDOC week march in Melbourne (pictured)

The Indigenous flag was seen throughout the busy streets as people held it high with pride

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'.

The week celebrating Aboriginal culture has been running since 1991, choosing a new theme each year.

NAIDOC Week officially starts on Saturday and runs until July 15 with this year's theme celebrating women as role models in the community.

Participants varied in age from children to elderly, all in attendance to celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

More than 1000 people marched in the peaceful protest through Melbourne's CBD on Friday

Women march together in black hoodies (pictured) with the Indigenous flag in the centre

A man wears a black, yellow and red beanie with traditional face painting around his eyes

Robbie Thorpe speaks to audience with passion as he throws his arm into the air (pictured)

A young boy, holding a banner, points and smiles at the camera (pictured)

Children hold a coloured banner that reads 'Bcos of her we can,' (pictured)

Many people spoke to crowds at the event. One woman (pictured) grips onto a microphone

Young girl is pictured with red, black and yellow dots painted under her eyes while at the march

A man holds microphone with background banner reading: 'Decolonisation Justice Now'

Many who attended wore body paint on their faces. Aboriginal body painting is an ancient tradition

Despite dark clothing of winter weather, the colours: black, yellow and red were seen in every direction

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'

The week (NAIDOC week) celebrating Aboriginal culture has been running since 1991

NAIDOC Week officially starts on Saturday July 7 and runs until July 15