Flag Raising Ceremony

The Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony is an opportunity to respectfully acknowledge our rich culture and heritage as part of Queensland's Australia Day celebrations.

The ceremony also provides an opportunity to view the Australian Defence Force and recognise its invaluable service to Australia with:

• the Australian Defence Force Royal Guard of Honour
• band of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment
• raising of the Australian, Queensland, Governor of Queensland, Townsville, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
• flypast
• a 21-gun salute.

The Australia Day Flag Raising Ceremony has formed part of Queensland’s Australia Day celebrations since 2003, coordinated by Queensland Government, in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force and assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council.

Since 2015, the ceremony has been held in Townsville, delivered in partnership with Townsville City Council.

The 2024 ceremony was cancelled due to severe weather that impacted the Townsville region.