People took the day off work to get tickets, fans queued for hours — and Australia virtually ground to a halt. This image shows exactly why the country went crazy.
1/50Join as as we tour through some of the biggest moments of the year – as capture by some of the best photographers. This photo sums up the Taylor Swift mania that gripped the counry in February. The megastar is seen performeing at Accor Stadium in Sydney in February, captivating the crowd with her record-breaking Eras Tour. As one of the most highly anticipated events in the Australian leg of her global tour, the concert shattered attendance records and further solidified Swift’s status as one of the world’s most influential pop stars. People took the day off work to try to secure tickets, but many missed out. Picture: Getty
2/50King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s October tour of Australia and Samoa made headlines for its royal splendor, with moments like the one captured here: the King and Queen watching a sheepdog demonstration in Sydney. Yet, as King Charles made his way across the southern hemisphere, his visit sparked significant controversy. Political leaders used the occasion to renew calls for a formal apology for slavery and reparations for its enduring effects.
3/50A protester stood in front of police officers on Spencer Street in Melbourne, as anti-war activists disrupted the Land Forces International Defence Expo. With up to 25,000 participants, groups like Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars blocked streets and staged peaceful protests on the opening day. They claimed to have halted weapon deliveries during a previous blockade. In response, police increased security, setting up a fortified perimeter around the event to manage any potential disruption. Picture: Getty Images
4/50Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko of the Brisbane Lions celebrate with fans and the AFL Premiership Cup after their victory in the AFL Grand Final against the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Picture: Getty
5/50Oscar Piastri powering around the Marina Bay Street Circuit in his McLaren MCL38 Mercedes during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore. Picture: Getty
6/50The Kid LAROI lit up the stage with an electric performance before the 2024 NRL Grand Final between the Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium. Picture: Getty
7/50King Charles III and Queen Camilla smiled as they posed with students at the Sydney Opera House during their royal visit. This marked the King’s first visit to Australia as monarch, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. Picture: Getty
8/50Children posed for a photo during a Diwali light show on Phantom Street, Nirimba Fields. The ‘Festival of Lights’ celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Residents of Western Sydney, home to a large Indian expat community, have made Phantom Street famous for its Diwali displays, with hopes of keeping the Blacktown Council award for best lights. Picture: Getty
9/50Jarome Luai and Brian To’o of the Penrith Panthers soaked in the glory as they celebrated their triumphant win at the 2024 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm at Accor Stadium. Picture: Getty
10/50The striking inflatable sculpture ‘Naught: Bondi’ by Milarky was seen pre-dawn at Sculpture by The Sea. Located along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, the piece, created by Andrew Hankin and his team, raised awareness about skin cancer. Resembling a melanoma, the sculpture changed in size and colour throughout the exhibition, highlighting the importance of early detection. Picture: Getty
11/50King Charles III observed the ‘Pyrotron’ combustion wind tunnel during a visit to the CSIRO National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory. His visit highlighted the UK’s commitment to addressing global climate issues, with the King engaging in discussions on bushfire research and prevention. Picture: Getty
12/50A model snapped strutting down the runway wearing a design by Bella Davies during the FDS: The Innovators show at Australian Fashion Week Presented by Pandora 2024 at Carriageworks. Picture: Getty
13/50The stars were out at the TV WEEK Logie Awards Nominations Announcement, as Larry Emdur, Tony Armstrong, Andy Lee, Robert Irwin, Sonia Kruger, and Julia Morris posed for an iconic selfie. The celeb-packed moment had fans buzzing, capturing the essence of Australian TV glamour. Picture: Getty
14/50Austin Butler posed for a photo call at Walsh Bay, where he was in town to promote his latest film, The Bikeriders. The actor, known for his transformative role in Elvis, joined the Australian press ahead of the film’s release, offering a glimpse into his new role in this gritty motorcycle drama. Picture: Getty
15/50Brittany Hockley turned heads as she attended the glamorous 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star. The Australian TV personality made a stunning appearance on the red carpet, drawing attention for both her style and her star power as she celebrated one of the biggest nights in Australian television. Picture: Getty
16/50Felix Cameron proudly accepted the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent at the 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star. The rising star was honoured for his breakout performance, making his mark in Australian television and capturing the hearts of audiences across the country. Picture: Getty
17/50Police officers on horseback attempted to disperse a crowd of protesters in Melbourne, as anti-war activists geared up to disrupt the upcoming Land Forces International Defence Expo. With up to 25,000 participants expected, groups like Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars planned peaceful demonstrations, aiming to block streets and prevent the expo’s opening. Police had increased their presence, setting up a fortified perimeter around the venue to manage the tense situation. Picture: Getty
18/50Wang Wang the panda stole the spotlight as he happily devoured a box in front of China’s Premier Li Qiang at Adelaide Zoo. The moment came during Li’s visit to Australia, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key issues, including trade barriers and the release of imprisoned Australian blogger Yang Hengjun. The visit marked a significant diplomatic step, the first high-level outreach by a Chinese leader to Australia since 2017. Picture: Getty
19/50Anya Taylor-Joy stunned on the red carpet at the Australian premiere of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in Sydney. The actress, known for her powerful performances, captivated the crowd as fans eagerly awaited the latest instalment in the Mad Max franchise. Picture: Getty
20/50NSW player Latrell Mitchell celebrated a thrilling try during Game 2 of the men’s State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The powerhouse performance helped propel New South Wales towards a dramatic victory over Queensland, igniting the crowd at one of rugby league’s most anticipated matchups. Picture: Getty
21/50King Charles III charmed the crowds as he greeted well-wishers on the street after a bicentenary event at the New South Wales Legislative Council. The moment marked a historic first for the King’s visit to Australia as Monarch, adding another milestone to his royal journey. Picture: Getty
22/50Australia’s B-Girl ‘Raygun’ competed in the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, drawing attention and causing controversy around the world. The high-stakes moment at Place de la Concorde fuelled a heated debate over whether street dance belongs in the Games. Picture: Getty
23/50A Qantas Airways Airbus A380-800 soared into the sky at Sydney Airport, capturing the excitement ahead of the airline’s earnings announcement on August 29, 2024. With the iconic aircraft taking flight, all eyes were on the financial performance of Australia’s flagship carrier. Picture: Getty
24/50Patrick Cripps of the Blues celebrated a brilliant goal during the 2024 AFL Round 16 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The moment electrified the crowd as Cripps’ goal helped secure a thrilling victory. Picture: Getty
25/50Robbie Dolan rode #11 Knight’s Choice to a thrilling victory in race seven, securing the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse. The win had fans roaring as Dolan steered his horse to triumph in one of Australia’s most prestigious races. Picture: Getty
26/50The USA’s Kaylea Arnett soared through the air in a breathtaking dive during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Final at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair on Sydney Harbour. The crowd gasped as Arnett executed her daring plunge, showcasing incredible precision and courage in one of the world’s most exciting cliff diving events. Picture: Getty
27/50Missy Higgins took the stage in a moment of pure celebration as she was inducted into the 2024 ARIA Hall of Fame during the 2024 ARIA Awards at Hordern Pavilion. The crowd erupted with applause as the iconic Aussie singer-songwriter was honoured for her incredible contributions to music. Picture: Getty
28/50Xavier Coates scored the match-winning try for The Storm during the intense round two NRL clash between Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors at AAMI Park. His crucial play sealed the victory, sending the fans into a frenzy. Picture: Getty
29/50Troye Sivan posed with his ARIA award after a standout win at the 2024 ARIA Awards, held at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. The talented artist took home the prestigious honor, marking another milestone in his incredible career. Picture: Getty
30/50A man stoked the smoke of a fire during the Invasion Day Dawn Service in Melbourne, as crowds gathered to mark the occasion. While Australia Day celebrates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, many Indigenous Australians observe the day as ‘Invasion Day,’ calling for a change of date to better reflect the history of all Australians. Picture: Getty
31/50A Swiftie captured wearing glasses that read ‘Swifmas’ before Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ concert at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024. Taylor Swift’s global Eras Tour was a massive cultural and economic phenomenon, breaking records and generating billions in revenue. With its huge scale and devoted fanbase, the tour cemented Swift as one of the most influential pop stars of the 21st century. Picture: Getty
32/50A group of La Perouse Gamay dancers looked on ahead of a performance at Bondi Beach for a Dawn Reflection and Smoking Ceremony on January 26, 2024. This year, supermarket chains Woolworths and Aldi announced they would stop stocking themed merchandise for the day, which drew political backlash from opposition leader Peter Dutton. Picture: Getty
33/50Australian cricketer, David Warner, acknowledged the crowd after being dismissed by Sajid Khan of Pakistan for 57 runs in his final innings during day four of the Men’s Third Test Match in the series between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 06, 2024. Picture: Getty
34/50Daniel Hughes of the Sydney Sixers was struck on the helmet during an intense BBL match. The moment highlighted the dangers of T20 cricket as Hughes was forced to briefly take a step back after the blow. The impact came during a fierce bowling spell, and despite the scare, Hughes continued to battle on. Picture: Getty
35/50Saya Sakakibara celebrated her stunning victory as the Gold medalist during the Women’s BMX Final on day seven of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her flawless performance on the track earned her the top spot, making history with an unforgettable win that captured the hearts of fans around the world. Picture: Getty
36/50A model photographed on the runway during the Nicol Ford show at Australian Fashion Week, at Carriageworks in Sydney. The event showcased the latest in fashion, with the designers’ bold and daring collection drawing attention. Picture: Getty
37/50Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine took to the waters in style during the Paris 2024 Olympics, showing off their sailing prowess in the Women’s Skiff class at Marseille Marina. Picture: Getty
38/50Julian Assange, the controversial WikiLeaks founder, returned to Australia as a free man on June 26, 2024, after a long legal battle. Arriving at Canberra Airport, he was greeted by family, supporters, and politicians, marking the end of a complex and contentious chapter in his life. After pleading guilty to a felony charge under the U.S. Espionage Act, Assange was sentenced to time served and released, drawing a mixed response. Picture: Getty
39/50Anzac Day in Currumbin, 2024, saw surf boats performing a burial at sea as part of the commemorations. The ceremony was held to honour those who served and died during World War I, particularly marking the Gallipoli landing. Across the nation, people gathered for dawn services and parades to pay tribute to the fallen. Picture: Getty
40/50Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrated after winning the championship point against Daniil Medvedev in the Men’s Singles Final at the 2024 Australian Open on 28 January 2024. Sinner’s victory marked a major milestone in his career, claiming his first Grand Slam title in an intense match that saw him overcome the talented Russian. The crowd at Melbourne Park erupted as the young Italian secured his historic win, further cementing his place as one of tennis’ rising stars. Picture: Getty
41/50People in character took part in a media call for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay. The event gave fans a thrilling glimpse of the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, featuring actors in costume ahead of the highly anticipated film’s release. Picture; Getty
42/50Members of the public laid floral tributes at Oxford Street Mall, Bondi Junction.The tragic scene followed a stabbing attack at the Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction, which resulted in the deaths of six victims, as well as the offender who was shot by police at the scene. The community came together to mourn the loss and honour those affected by the horrific incident. Picture: Getty
43/50Mariners’ players celebrated their penalty shootout victory following the A-League Women Elimination Final against Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne. It was an intense match, with the Mariners emerging victorious in the shootout to seal the win. Picture: Getty
44/50Police officer Amy Scott is embraced during a candlelight vigil at Bondi Beach, held to honour the victims of the tragic stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction. The attack, which occurred on April 13, claimed the lives of seven people, including the offender. The community gathered to remember the victims in the wake of the horrific incident, which had deeply affected Sydney’s Eastern suburbs. Picture: Getty
45/50Aryna Sabalenka poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the Women’s Singles Final at the 2024 Australian Open. She triumphed over Qinwen Zheng, securing her place in tennis history. Picture: Getty
46/50People take part in the Sydney Gay ; Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade began in 1978 as a march to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York and has been held every year since to promote awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. Picture: Getty
47/50A resident walked through floodwater in Rochester, Australia, after severe weather warnings were issued for central Victoria following heavy rainfall. The floods, which caused widespread damage across the region, persisted for several days, with many residents forced to evacuate as floodwaters surged through towns. Picture: Getty
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Hayley Raso was all smiles as she netted a goal during the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Asian Qualifier against Uzbekistan at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Picture: Getty
49/50Zendaya made a stunning appearance at the Australian premiere of Challengers at the State Theatre in Sydney, turning heads with her impeccable style. Picture: Getty
50/50A surfer warmed up at sunrise ahead of the 2024 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, catching the first light of the day at Winkipop. Picture: Getty
