More than 20,000 people collectively attended rallies against the Coal Seam Gas industry at 25 locations across Australia yesterday, according to organiser and Lock the Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton.

Rallies and associated events were held in a range of places including Cairns, Townsville, Queensland's Scenic Rim, Gympie, Maryborough, Tweed Heads, Lismore, Byron Bay, Armidale, Newcastle, Bullahdela, Gloucester, Sydney, the Hunter Valley, Gunnedah, the Illawarra and Margaret River in Western Australia.

Mr Hutton described the day as a “resounding success” for the Lock the Gate campaign to give landholders more rights to say no to CSG mining impacts on their land.

He said events showed the protest movement was growing and would become a major headache for any government that refused to enact protections against irresponsible mining.

"I am very proud of today's turnout and the great efforts of organisers around the country, all of whom are doing wonderful work defending their local communities and the country's great environmental assets," Mr Hutton said.

He said the most dramatic of the day's events was the hanging of giant banners off the peaks of Queensland's Border Ranges by the group ‘Keep the Scenic Rim Scenic’. Their action attracted 1000 local residents.

Estimated crowds at different events included 3000 at Byron Bay, 2500 in Lismore, 2500 in the Illawarra, 800 in Brisbane and 800 in Sydney.