Floods, celebrations, protests, and tennis controversies – the year 2022 in photos as seen by top Australian photographers.

The year 2022 was one of stark contrasts in Australia, with photographers capturing both the challenges and joys that defined the nation’s year. Through the lens of wire agencies, iconic moments—from natural disasters to cultural events—painted a vivid picture of the year’s most significant stories.

One of the most heart-wrenching images came on February 28, showing a woman carrying her child through the devastating floodwaters in Lismore, northern New South Wales. The floods wreaked havoc across the region, leaving a trail of destruction and displacing thousands.

On January 1, as Sydney welcomed the New Year, fireworks lit up the sky over the harbour while some Covid-19 restrictions remained in place due to the Omicron wave. A man watched the spectacular display, a symbol of resilience amid the pandemic’s ongoing challenges.

The Mundi Mundi Bash festival in Broken Hill, held on August 19, brought an explosion of color as the sun rose over the outback festival grounds. The three-day event, featuring performances by Midnight Oil, Missy Higgins, and Jimmy Barnes, highlighted the vitality of Australia’s music scene.

A more controversial image from January captured Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic leaving a government detention center in Melbourne. The nine-time Australian Open champion was at the center of a global debate after his visa was canceled, preventing him from competing in the tournament.

These powerful images reflect a year of struggle, celebration, and the ongoing dialogue about Australia’s place in the world stage.