The scenes at one of ‘s most famous beaches on this year’s Day are worlds away from what it was like just a couple of years ago in a subtle sign Aussies are turning their backs on the national holiday.
While Bondi Beach has been flooded with Aussies looking to escape the scorching temperatures, photos taken from the 2024 Day could be mistaken for any other summer’s day.
There is a clear absence of n-themed bikinis, boardshorts, hats, flags and umbrellas – with the Aussie colours of green and gold also missing in action.
This year’s Day on Bondi Beach looks world’s away from what it did in previous years
Two women are seen after taking a dip at Bondi Beach on Friday. No one at the beach was wearing n-themed attire
Pictures from Bondi Beach on the 2022 Day are world’s apart
Some Aussies were more than happy to show off their national pride during Day two years ago
An n flag was hoisted above the promenade along Bondi Beach but that’s where most of the patriotism ended.
Photos from 2022 show a different scene altogether, with many women donning n bikinis and hats, with others draping themselves in the national flag.
The change in attitude comes after years of controversy surrounding the date of Day, and calls from First Nations ns to have the day of celebration changed.
Crowds had also turned out at Bondi on Friday morning for a a solemn Anzac-day style Dawn Reflection service and Smoking Ceremony.
Indigenous La Perouse Gamay Dancers and Jannawi Dance Clan performed and elders held a smoking ceremony as the nation marked the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788.
Thousands of ns have greeted the dawn of a scorching hot Day at Indigenous beachside and parkland ceremonies across the country (pictured, Bondi Beach on Friday)
Temperatures in Sydney were already hitting 30C by 7am as hundreds lined Bondi Beach in the eastern suburbs for a solemn Dawn Reflection and Smoking Ceremony (pictured)
Indigenous La Perouse Gamay Dancers and Jannawi Dance Clan performed for the crowd (pictured)
The event was an opportunity to ‘commemorate our First Nations community’, said Waverley Council, and brought a large crowd of locals, some wearing the Aboriginal flag, to the beach.
The council said the event would ‘acknowledge the resilience and survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their continuous connection to Country and culture’.
But in a nod to more traditional Day celebrations, the council also laid on a beachside BBQ breakfast in front of Bondi Surf Club immediately afterwards.
Countless Aussies have also turned out to various Invasion Day rallies around the country, demanding the date of the public holiday be changed.
Tens of thousands gathered together in major CBDs of on Friday to march against celebrating January 26.
The national holiday comes on a sweltering hot day with Sydney forecast to hit a maximum of 38C on Friday, while some inland areas are set to nudge 50C, including the Queensland tourist town of Birdsville which hit 49.4C on Thursday.
A southerly change beginning on Friday afternoon will see temperatures in many parts of the country drop by up to 10 to 15 degrees.
Beachgoers are seen at Bondi for the 2024 Day
An n flag was hoisted above the promenade along Bondi Beach but that’s where most of the patriotism ended
Aussies are seen at Bondi on Friday morning
Many Aussies opted out of wearing n-themed outfits at Bondi for the national holiday
As the heat continues to move further east, the NSW coast is set to get a little warmer still with Newcastle and Taree both forecast for 41C while Grafton and Gosford will hit 40C.
Temperatures in towns across the Hunter including Cessnock, Scone and Singleton will also rise by 1-2C on Thursday’s temperatures with Singleton expecting a peak of 43C and Scone 41C.
The lower and upper west of the state will again bear the brunt of the heat with Bourke to hit 44C and Moree 42C.
Parts of the state could see a thunderstorm roll through in the afternoon and evening.