Australia Day is being marked around the nation, with around 13,000 people becoming citizens.

But for some Indigenous Australians January 26 is a time of mourning, and protests are also taking place across the country.

From boot-throwing competitions to citizenship ceremonies in Antarctica, here is how people are spending the day.

How are people celebrating?

In capital cities huge crowds got together for ceremonies, marches and themed celebrations.

The Australia Day Wugulora Morning Ceremony takes place in Sydney. ( AAP: Ben Rushton )

In Sydney hundreds of people gathered on the lawns of Sydney's Barangaroo, where an Aboriginal smoking ceremony was performed.

The streets of Melbourne were lined with crowds waving Australian flags as they watched marches.

Morgan and her mother are from a military family, and are celebrating in Melbourne. ( ABC News: Elias Clure )

At Sandy Bay in Hobart, sack races and competitions took place alongside citizenship ceremonies and barbecues.

A boot throwing competition is one of the ways these kids celebrated in Hobart. ( ABC News: Edith Bevin )

Along the Queensland coast people hit the beaches early, with not even more than 100 millimetres of rain deterring celebrations in the far north.

Nurses, Cheryl Treloar and Pam Oats finished their night shift at the hospital before trekking a kilometre in the rain to enjoy the free breakfast on the Esplanade in Cairns.

"It's only Australia Day once a year and we're proud to be Australians so we thought once we finished work we'd come down and check it out," Ms Treloar said.

Lifesaver Sammy Hemsley competing in the races at Mooloolaba. ( ABC News: Bruce Atkinson )

Life Savers in Mooloolaba, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, competed in novelty races, while there was a more serious commemoration at Caloundra, where the 5th Light Horse regiment reenactors paraded with both Aboriginal and Australian flags.

While in the Queensland capital, hundreds turned up at the Story Bridge Hotel for its traditional cockroach races.

Race organiser Richard Deery said it was the event's 37th year and One Nation senator Pauline Hanson was on hand to officiate the second race of the day.

In Western Australia, Premier Mark McGowan celebrated with nearly 600 new citizens at the state's largest ceremony in Perth's northern suburbs.

Brad and Jules Lampert celebrate Australia Day at the largest citizenship ceremony in WA. ( ABC News: Eliza Laschon )

While speaking to media, Mr McGowan took a swipe at the Australia Day Honours List, saying West Australians were under-represented in the group of nearly 900.

"It's a very eastern states thing, they seem to have taken control of the awards," he said.

"I'd just like to see more West Australians, more Indigenous Australians, recognised, because clearly we punch above our weight."

From Canberra to Antarctica: Australia welcomes new citizens

A family celebrates in Wanneroo, north of Perth. ( ABC News: Eliza Laschon )

For thousands of people, Australia Day means making a pledge and officially being able to call the country their home.

Sorry, this video has expired Malcolm Turnbull and some of Australia's newest citizens talk about the significance of Australia Day

"Australia is a nation united in our diversity," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the citizenship ceremony in Canberra, where 32 people from 19 countries became citizens.

"We do not define our national identity, as so many other nations do, by race, by religion, or by a particular culture, but by shared values.

"Democracy and freedom, mutual respect and equality for men and women, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law."

Sorry, this video has expired Australia Day national citizenship ceremony in Canberra

Outside Australia, British plumber Terry Barrell became the second person ever to be made an Australian citizen whilst in Antarctica.

"[I] was hoping to become an Australian citizen before I left for Antarctica but there wasn't time to arrange a ceremony," he said.

UK plumber Terry Barrell (L) at his Australian citizenship ceremony held at a remote research outpost in Antarctica. ( AAP: Australian Antarctic Division) )

Governor General Peter Cosgrove said he "never fails to be touched and inspired" by the new citizens for "making the great leap and officially becoming part of our wonderful nation".

"Our strength and unity is founded on a mutual respect and a determination to work side by side to make this nation all it can be," he said, before leading the Australian citizenship affirmation in Canberra.

Thousands gathering for Invasion Day protests

Protesters in Melbourne calling for a change of date for Australia Day celebrations. ( ABC News: Bridget Brennan )

As the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival, today is seen as Invasion Day or Survival Day for many Indigenous people.

Many councils, businesses and Aboriginal shires will not be celebrating Australia Day, and thousands of people across the country have attended Invasion Day events.

Protesters outside Victoria's Parliament House in Melbourne. ( ABC News: Bridget Brennan )

At a protest outside Victoria's Parliament House in Melbourne, crowds of people were wearing shirts decorated with Aboriginal flags or "Not Happy Jan 26" slogans as they called to change the date.

At the Block in Sydney's Redfern, a crowd of more than 3,000 people gathered.

A huge crowd gathered for "Invasion Day" protests outside the Block in Sydney's Redfern. ( ABC News: Meredith Griffiths )

Many signs in Sydney said "No Pride in Genocide", and the crowd roared when speakers called for a treaty.

Three hundred people rallied on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide, where a poster campaign featuring the slogan "Come On Aussie Come On" was launched.

"Essentially its a call to action for everyone … to sit down and actually genuinely and meaningfully listen to Aboriginal people and their elders and community leaders about what they want in regards to Aboriginal rights," said Elizabeth Close, the local artist who designed the poster.

Protesters on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide. ( ABC News: Rebecca Opie )

Roy Ah-See, one of the Prime Minister's Indigenous advisors, said today was not a day for celebration for his people.

"We love a party … unfortunately it's just not the right date for Aboriginal Australia."