Celebrating Australia Day - What's going on in your area?

Chuck on some thongs and hit the beach or fire up the barbie and invite some friends around to celebrate Australia Day on Saturday January 26!

It's a time to celebrate what's great about our nation of green and gold, where we can reflect on the achievements of our country and what we can do to make the future for Australia even better.

January 26 marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of convict ships from Great Britain to Sydney Cove in 1788, with over 22 million people now calling Australia home 225 years later.

There's a number of fantastic events and activities happening across the nation, and you can check out what's going on in your community at the Australia Day website.

Here are a few of the highlight events!

NSW

Darling Harbour Australia Day Celebration

This magnificent event ticks off all the big Australia Day celebrations with entertainment for the whole family, boat parades and of course the spellbinding fireworks spectacle!

The Darling Harbour Australia Day Celebration features a MS Colour Run from 9:00, with participants taking part in the 5km journey to help raise funds for Aussies living with multiple sclerosis.

It will be a fun event indeed, with runners being showered with 100 per cent natural rainbow dust!

Three entertainment stages (kids, world and street music) will also get you through the afternoon, followed by the Harbour Heroes Parade and fireworks display in the evening.

ACT

Australia Celebrates Live 2013

Some of Australia's biggest acts will take to the lawns of Parliament House on Friday January 25 for the free concert, Australia Celebrates Live!

TV star Kate Ritchie and James Mathison of Australian Idol will host the event, headlined by iconic Aussie artist Jimmy Barnes, who will be joined by more of the nation's finest talent including Guy Sebastian, The Presets and Timomatic.

VIC

Docklands Australia Day

Melburnians can enjoy a fantastic day out with the family, taking part in the Great Aussie Thong Throwing competition, snacking on green and gold liquorice and enjoying a tasty sausage sizzle at the Docklands Australia Day celebrations.

The free event will begin at 11:00 with a number of brilliant activities including kite flying, fishing lessons, an animal farm where you can learn to milk a cow and balloon artists and face painters for the kids!

Harbour Esplanade will be the spot to treat your kids to an ideal Australia Day celebration.

More Australia Day events around the country:

WA - Australia Day Lunch

QLD - Australia Day Cruise

TAS - Australia Day Breakfast and Family Fun Day - Georgetown

NT - Australia Day Gala Ball

SA - Australia Day Bush Fair