The parade is one very good reason why so many people descend on Sydney for Mardi Gras each year. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny with a gentle breeze blowing across Oxford Street to keep everyone cool as we waited for it all to start. Volunteers and entertainers kept everyone amused as the time approached, with very welcome free water being handed out liberally.

As ever, the parade went off with a bang as the very noisy Dykes on Bikes raced through the streets in waves of colour. There were reportedly over 7,000 people involved in the parade itself, with floats ranging from banks to gay magazines to political parties and church groups... a spectacular event with well over two hours of entertainment parading through the streets. 350,000 people came to watch, and it's easy to see why.

As the last few floats made their way up towards Taylor Square the crowds followed along and the partying began...