Tent Embassy rally to change Aust Day date

Aboriginal protesters who marched through Canberra to the historic Tent Embassy have described Australia Day as a "day of mourning".

The Canberra march culminated in a smoking ceremony at the 46-year-old embassy, just outside Old Parliament House.

There were cockatoo flags flying around the camp fire and some protesters carried signs stating, "Friends don't let friends celebrate genocide".

"It's a day of mourning," fire keeper, Kumba, told reporters, wearing white ochre and a possum skin loin cloth.

He said January 26, 1788, marked the beginning of his people being massacred.

"People say we need to come together - well, Australia Day needs to change," Kumba said.

Police estimated 350 people turned out and praised crowd behaviour.