While Australia Day celebrations went from weird to wonderful in Queensland, some pub-goers found themselves in a spiky situation.

There was bull riding in Redland Bay, pig racing in Paddington, cockroach racing at the Story Bridge Hotel and an attempt to set a world record for the longest line of giant inflatable thongs on the Sunshine Coast.

In east Brisbane, punters got amongst it for $500 prize money at a pineapple throwing competition.

Whether it was underarm, overarm or a momentous discus-like throw, no technique seemed elegant at the Pineapple Hotel.

“I didn’t really have a strategy,” entrant Catherine McKinnel told AAP.

“I just had a few beers and thought it would be a good idea to smash a pineapple.”

South Bank was the epicentre of Queensland’s activities, where Premier Campbell Newman raised the flag and RAAF aircraft roared through the sky.

The state welcomed 4500 new citizens from 110 countries in 75 ceremonies.

The largest in Queensland, the second-largest in the country, was staged at the refurbished Brisbane City Hall, with almost 600 new citizens.

North of Brisbane in Caboolture, 92-year-old Mary Agnes was the oldest person in the state to become a citizen.

Agnes migrated from England in 1962 with her husband and four children, and is upbeat about finally obtaining citizenship.

“Yes, it’s very exciting. I keep telling people that I’ve been English all my life but now I’ll be Australian for eternity,” she said.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Queensland’s newest Australians joined more than 4.5 million others who had chosen to become Australian since the first citizenship ceremony in 1949.

“The Australian story is one of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice,” Mr Morrison said.

“It is our duty to honour the contribution of previous generations and to uphold the values that guided them and have stood the test of time.”