Australia Day 2026: Melbourne Sees Rival Rallies as ‘Invasion Day’ and ‘March for Australia’ Draw Large Crowds

Melbourne, 26 January 2026: Melbourne witnessed large-scale rallies and protests on Australia Day as two opposing demonstrations—an “Invasion Day” rally and the “March for Australia” protest—took place outside Parliament House and around Flinders Street Station, highlighting deep divisions over national identity, Indigenous rights, and immigration.

From early morning, police strengthened security across the city to prevent clashes between groups. Several tram services were disrupted, particularly around Flinders Street, as crowds gathered and marches moved through key parts of the central business district.

The “Invasion Day” rally began around 11:15 am, with organisers and speakers criticising the celebration of January 26 as Australia’s national day and calling for a change of date. Speakers highlighted the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians and broader issues of colonialism and inequality.

Meanwhile, the anti-immigration “March for Australia” rally began shortly after a brief delay. Participants marched along Flinders Street, chanting slogans such as “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,” as the crowd steadily grew throughout the day.

By midday, the “Invasion Day” rally had attracted an estimated crowd of around 10,000 people, with fiery speeches denouncing January 26 and advocating Indigenous rights. At the same time, the “March for Australia” protest also swelled in numbers, underscoring the contrasting political and social views within Australian society.

Observers say the simultaneous rallies reflected ongoing debates in Australia over history, identity, immigration, and social justice. The events turned Melbourne’s streets into a visible arena of competing narratives, illustrating the nation’s evolving conversation about what Australia Day represents in a multicultural society.