Chants of "always was, always will be aboriginal land" have rung out through Queens Garden in the city from 10am.

Organiser Boe Spearim says January 26, which marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet, felt more like a funeral for many First Nations people.

The opening of demonstrations were briefly marred by a confrontation and a scuffle after a man walked on stage.

The Invasion Day march is expected to end at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane.

Australia Day celebrations in are going ahead across the state despite forecasts of severe storms across the Gulf Country, the northwest, central west and northern Goldfields, and showers in the southeast on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Brisbane, live music will kick off at the South Bank Parklands from 2pm, with a fireworks display from 7.30pm.

Celebrations will continue across 370 parks spread over the city, with the council providing free barbecues for anyone who wants to cook up a feast outdoors.

Further south, in Logan, 150 people will be welcomed as new Australians in a citizenship ceremony on Sunday.

The city's top citizen and top young citizen will also be revealed.

In Cairns, women's advocate Yolonde Entsch was this week recognised as the city's Citizen of the Year for her dedication to empowering disadvantaged women in Cairns, Doomadgee and Papua New Guinea.

Gold Coast revellers can enjoy rounds of beach volleyball or an official pool party at the Aquatic Centre in Southport, while fireworks kick off at 7.45pm.

Donations are being collected on site for volunteer firefighters and communities grappling with drought, while Wildcare Australia is running a pouch decorating activity for rescued joeys that have been affected by the bushfires.

Australian Associated Press