The opening ceremony for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games has kicked off at Carrara Stadium, with 4,000 performers entertaining thousands of athletes and fans.
Celebrations of the laidback beach lifestyle synonymous with the Gold Coast and Australian indigenous culture are set to be writ large.
The 35,000-strong capacity crowd will be treated to performances from the likes of Christine Anu, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Delta Goodrem, before the April 4-15 Games are officially declared open by the Prince of Wales.
Hockey player Mark Knowles has been handed the honour of being Australia's flagbearer in the Parade of Nations, while hurdling superstar Sally Pearson is also tipped to play a key role in the ceremony.
It comes as Indigenous protesters were arrested after their entry into stadium was blocked by Queensland police.
Earlier, protesters from the Stolenwealth Games Indigenous group halted the Queen's Baton Relay for about an hour.
