Wollongong City Council estimated between 35,000 and 40,000 people moved through the harbour foreshore area across the day  – from the 8am aquathon to 9pm fireworks.

Thousands watched as fireworks exploded over Wollongong Harbour to end the city’s Australia Day celebrations. “We had a pretty consistently good crowd,” council’s public relations manager Susan Wardle said.

Police were kept on their toes, but no major Australia Day-related incidents were reported.

“Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of people that attended the Australia Day celebrations in and around the licensed premises of Wollongong and the Wollongong Harbour,” Wollongong police duty officer Dan Richardson said.

At Wollongong Hospital, the number of people who presented to the emergency department was “not out of the ordinary”.

“Traditionally, the Australia Day public holiday does not result in a significant increase in presentations … and 2016 was no different,” Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District executive director of clinical operations Carolyn Cooper said.