One protester Sally, who would not give her surname as she feared alienation from the community, said the protest aimed to be peaceful, respectful and quiet, but also confrontational.

"I think it's probably a bit confrontational for people here but I guess that's why we're here," she said.

"We're holding space to pay respects to the First Nations people of this land.

"We oppose Australia Day and what it celebrates and we're standing here in solidarity with First Nations protests across the country to say we support First Nations sovereignty."

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The group held banners criticising some lyrics of the national anthem.

"We don't believe Australia is young and free, it's a society based on the foundations of genocide and we think that needs to be recognised," Sally said.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack said the protesters had a democratic right to protest and did not disrupt the event.

"It didn't impact the ceremony, so from that perspective at least they blended in to the process and respected the ceremony," he said.