The tsunami alarms will ring out across Banda Aceh on Boxing Day to commemorate the Indian Ocean tsunami a decade ago.
Foreign dignitaries are beginning to pour into Aceh, where the alarms will sound at 8.10am local time on Friday as a reminder of the 170,000 lives lost in this corner of Indonesia alone.
Charge d'affaires to Indonesia David Engel will represent Australia, paying his respects to the tsunami victims at the Siron mass grave and visiting a special "Thanks to the World" exhibition.
Within days of the 2004 disaster, the Australian government announced a $1 billion assistance package.
Around $323 million went towards recovery and rebuilding in Aceh and Nias, about $328 million on road improvements, and $300 million on education.
Indonesia's President Joko Widodo will attend the commemorative events, which will include mass prayers and an art exhibition.
Organiser Novita told AAP it was expected at least 35 of 53 donor countries would be represented.
"It's an honour for us that they want to pay their respects to Aceh," she said.
"Many countries, many international NGOs, they're still looking out for Aceh. We're proud of that."
Australian money rebuilt schools, hospitals and town halls in Aceh, and helped improve government services.
Dr Engel says Aceh has improved immensely since the disaster wiped out infrastructure and left 500,000 people homeless, but challenges remain.
"The Australian government will continue to work together with the Acehnese people and the Indonesian government to overcome these challenges," he said.
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