Craft creativity is usually on show, with everything from drums, to floaties, flags, trampolines, tractor tyres, sheets of tin, dogs and Mexican hats seen meandering along the Namoi River.

Hundreds of people turn out to watch the race from the banks of the river.

The Australia Day Awards dinner will be held the night before on Wednesday, January 25 at the Gunnedah Town Hall.

Australia Day kicks off with the junior, women’s and men’s triathlons at the Gunnedah Memorial Pool.

A church service and citizenship ceremony will take place under the gum trees on Donnelly Fields as part of the event, followed by a free family barbecue sausage sizzle.

The pet parade is once again on the agenda, with organisers expecting to see animals of all shapes and sizes. 

Previous years have seen lizards, rabbits, dogs, cats, a horse and more line up for their chance to win a prize.

This year will see two new events on the itinerary, with the Gunnedah Fire Brigade hosting a display and giving demonstrations of its equipment at the Woolshed Reserve, and the Bake Off Challenge, with Gunnedah’s best Australia Day-themed cakes to be judged and auctioned off at the Smithurst Theatre.

The Gunnedah Memorial Pool is the place to cool down on Australia Day, with events for all ages and free admission.

A barbecue will be held in the evening, with a bombing competition, business house relay, and junior and senior splash for cash events.

A chess tournament will be held at the Smithurst Theatre on Sunday, January 29 as part of the celebrations.

Waiver forms must be completed to participate in the raft and craft race and can be downloaded from www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or collected from the Visitor Information Centre.

All participants must wear an Australian standard life jacket and closed in shoes. 

Participants will also be required to wear an event wristband, which will be provided at registration.