Located in picturesque Wollongong Boat Harbour, event coordinator Rob Battocchio believes the event promotes positive health and well-being while also celebrating an important day for Australians.

"What I really love is that we get 400 or 500 kids under 15 and it's really a people's event, it's a family event. It's iconic, it's Australia Day and it's about celebrating Australia Day in a fun environment where you can turn up and if you're 80 at one end of the tree and you want to do the walk or if you're seven years of age and you want to do it with your family, you can," Mr Battocchio said.

The event features four aquathons of varying distances, involving a run and swim which can be completed as an individual or as a team.

The event will see competitors rubbing shoulders with some of the sports elite, including international triathlete and Wollongong local Ben Allen.

"A lot of my family and friends participate and having the opportunity to toe the line with them is something I really cherish because it's one of my favourite events and it's a great way to start Australia Day, being active and trying to live a healthy lifestyle," Mr Allen said.

"I think that's why the race in the Illawarra is so popular because it offers something for everyone."

Details: www.aquathon.com.au