Bondi Beach colours expose the reality of Australia Day

Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach was full of keen swimmers and sunbathers on Friday – but there were no Australian flags in sight.

Crowds fill up Bondi Beach early on Australia Day. Picture: Tom Parrish

Bondi Beach was full of keen swimmers and sunbathers on January 26 – but there were no Australian flags in sight.

A departure from previous Australia Days, where the country’s flag has been emblazoned across towels, thongs and swimsuits, Sydney’s most famous beach was severely lacking in national pride.

Crowds fill up Bondi Beach early on Friday. Picture: Tom Parrish

You wouldn’t know it was Australia Day. Picture: Tom Parrish

Cooling off was the theme of the day. Picture: Tom Parrish

There were no temporary tattoos or inflatable lilos, just folks enjoying a swim on the scorchingly hot Sydney day.

However, even the Australians who went to Bondi to cool down were full of insistence that their leisure activity was in no way supportive of Australia Day.

“I’m not celebrating, just catching up with friends,” one man told news.com.au.

Another woman said she had celebrated Australia Day in the past but “certainly” would not do so anymore or be caught wearing Australian merchandise.

Two Irish tourists also expressed their surprise at the absence of Australia Day paraphernalia, suggesting if it had been St Patrick’s Day in Ireland, the whole town would be decked out in green and gold.

Juxtaposing the laid-back atmosphere of Bondi Beach, thousands passionately gathered fewer than 10km away in Belmore Park for the Invasion Day rally.

Originally published as Bondi Beach colours expose the reality of Australia Day