Protests against the corona lockdown in Sydney, which has been in effect for around a month, led to clashes between demonstrators and the police on Saturday.
Protesters in Australia's most populous city threw bottles and flower pots at the security forces, reports from the AFP news agency reported.
According to the police, there have been numerous arrests.
Displeasure with government health policies is growing across the country.
The organizers had dubbed the protest a rally of "Freedom" and publicized it on online networks that are often used to spread false news about vaccines and conspiracy theories.
According to local media, thousands of people took to the streets in Melbourne, the country's second largest city.
Further demonstrations were planned in other cities.
MP chooses tough words
Stephen Jones, a member of the Australian Parliament, described the protesters as "selfish, ruthless idiots".
“Nobody wants the lockdown”, but because of such actions it will probably have to stay in place.
The police showed understanding for "freedom of expression and peaceful assembly" - but the protests violated current health regulations.
Sydney in particular has not been able to get an outbreak of the virus under control for weeks.
In view of the increasing corona infections, the authorities of the state of New South Wales, whose capital is Sydney, declared a state of emergency on Friday.
Gladys Berejiklian, the head of government of New South Wales, had previously indicated that the current restrictions on public life would probably continue to apply.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also currently under strong pressure.
The long-term, very low contagion rates in Australia have recently risen more rapidly than since the beginning of the pandemic.
At the same time, only around twelve percent of the population is vaccinated - one of the lowest vaccination rates among richer countries.