There is something quintessentially Australian about the way in which the Queen's representative, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, casually walked among the Australia Day crowds in Canberra, without fuss or fanfare, saying hello to families and recognising some of the very moving aspects of the day.
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Similarly, there is something intrinsically Australian about the larrikins who set up a faux-Hills Hoist-powered slip and slide at Pine Island in Tuggeranong to celebrate our national day.
From the formalities of Australia Day to the sheer frivolity, the national capital covered the spectrum on Friday.
In Commonwealth Park, there was Australia's Federation Guard, a national flag raising and citizenship ceremony, a booming gun salute and the smell of eucalypt from a traditional smoking ceremony welcoming our newest Australians.
It was also the site of ActewAGL's Great Aussie Breakfast early in the morning and then fireworks and a concert in the evening.
Sir Peter was moved after seeing 32 people from 19 countries become new Australians in the national citizenship ceremony.
"I'm never failed to be touched by the very people like you making that great leap and becoming Australian citizens," he said.
Down at Pine Island, the humid and hot conditions were being tempered in the most Aussie of ways: punters being spun around a slip and slide via a Hills Hoist.
Oxley brothers Mikey and Phil Jacob and their family and friends spend "hours and hours" setting up the ultimate Australia Day fun machine.
They work in fire protection and the machine, constructed to look like a Hills Hoist, is powered by a lathe usually used to thread pipes through for roof sprinklers. It's then powered by a generator.
Mikey reckons the contraption can reach speeds of 60km/h but averages 30k/h. He says Australia Day to him is all about "just having a good day" and sharing it with as many people as possible.
"We've got so many of our friends and family here," he said.
"But half the people here are strangers. They stop and look and take videos. All the kids are having a blast. It's just a good time."
The Mailler siblings of Campbell - Chloe, 9; Will, 7; and Isaac two on January 29; were celebrating Australia Day in Commonwealth Park with their grandparents. Mum Melissa and her twin sister Amanda were also celebrating their 40th birthdays on Australia Day.
Young Chloe was very clear about what Australia Day meant to her: "A day where Aussies get together to have fun and celebrate their country".
"And barbecues!" she said.
The Muslims for Loyalty from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Australia again quietly made their presence felt at the official ceremonies at Commonwealth Park.
They stood in the crowd wearing t-shirts that read: "Love for all. Hatred for None. Muslims for Peace".
ACT president of the association Khalid Syed, originally from Pakistan, said Australia Day had powerful connotations for him.
"It is a yearly reminder of how lucky we are to live in a safe, friendly, prosperous country where my wife and I can get up every morning to go to a job and my children have access to world-class education. What else can you hope for from life," Mr Syed said.
Protesters who also prefer to call Australia Day Invasion Day walked across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge to call for the nation's day of celebration to be changed.
Come evening, thousands of Canberrans flocked to Regatta Point for a family friendly celebration to cap off the day.
People came early to bag prime position, picnic and flags in hand, to enjoy the fireworks which lit up the skies above Lake Burley Griffin at 9pm.
There was something for everyone with jumping castle and activities for the kids and food trucks keeping everyone fed and watered.
But first a concert - headlined by ARIA nominees and hip-hop outfit The Justice Crew and featuring local band Tuchasoul and duo Jess & Matt - entertained crowds.
