Queensland community marks Survival Day

You won't find beer drinking or Australian flags on display in Yarrabah on January 26.

But you will find spear throwing, damper making and fishing as the far north Queensland indigenous community celebrates "Survival Day".

As a former Christian mission, the community of around 2500 knows a lot about survival.

Mayor Errol Neal says the Aboriginal culture was almost made extinct after white settlement in Yarrabah.

And he laments that people who celebrate Australia Day on January 26 don't appear to appreciate indigenous Australia's struggles.

"To be honest with you, I feel sad," Mr Neal told AAP on Tuesday.

"It just seems to be a big, drunk and ignorant party ... it means nothing."

There are elders in Yarrabah who remember mission life, which only came to an end in 1960.

Cultural teacher David Mundarby says non-indigenous Australians need to learn more about the country's history and get to know indigenous people.

"It's about getting to know each other and educating non-indigenous people from where we stand," he told AAP.

"Come to my community and see who we are, what we are."

Despite the town's past struggles, families line the beach, play volleyball and line up for helicopter rides during the day's celebrations.

Mr Neal says the town, which is becoming renowned for its cultural events, is looking forward.

But that doesn't mean he wants the rest of the country to look the other way.

"Aboriginal people aren't going to go away," he said.

"Indigenous issues aren't going away."