You’re invited to join the crowds expected to commemorate Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial on Friday 25 April, marking 110 years since the ANZACs first landed at Gallipoli in the pre-dawn darkness.

And for the first time, the Anzac Day Dawn Service and the National Commemorative Service, including the RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March, will all be held on the redeveloped Parade Ground. At its centre now stands the relocated Stone of Remembrance, a six-and-a-half-tonne monument that embodies the solemn heart of national commemoration.

Leading up to the Dawn Service, images from the Memorial’s photographic collection will be projected onto the Memorial building from dusk to midnight on 23 April and from dusk on 24 April until just before the service. Additionally, from 4:30am to 5:15am on Anzac Day, Australian Defence Force representatives will read powerful excerpts from letters and diaries of Australians who experienced war firsthand.

The Dawn Service

The Anzac Day Dawn Service will begin at 5:30am on the redeveloped Parade Ground, marking the first time the ceremony has been held on this space since 2019. Held at the heart of national remembrance, this solemn service offers a moment of collective reflection, in the stillness before sunrise — just as it was for the ANZACs landing at Gallipoli 110 years ago.

The service will be led by representatives of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with the Commemorative Address delivered by Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Matt Buckley AM CSC RAN.

The Dawn Service is a standing ceremony, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early and dress warmly to prepare for cool pre-dawn conditions.

As the service is conducted in low light and often cold conditions, on-site lighting will be provided until 5:20am. Surfaces may be uneven or slippery, so caution is advised when moving through the grounds in the pre-dawn darkness and throughout the early morning.

Following the service, the Commemorative Area will open to the public until 7:30am. Visitors will have the opportunity to place poppies at the Roll of Honour or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Poppies will be available from Memorial staff at the entrance for a donation.

Visitors are reminded to allow plenty of time to travel to the Memorial and to use public transport where possible. Free shuttle buses will operate from Canberra Centre and Russell Offices, and attendees walking via Anzac Parade are asked to remain on footpaths, as the road will be in use by buses. Visit Transport Canberra for more information and to register for free bus services, visit transport.act.gov.au

Honouring First Nations Service

At 7:30am, following the Dawn Service, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association Commemorative Ceremony will take place at the For Our Country sculptural pavilion, in the Memorial’s Sculpture Garden near Limestone Avenue.

Hosted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association (ATSIVSA), the ceremony is a powerful and moving tribute to the service and sacrifice of First Nations peoples in the Australian Defence Force. It provides a moment for reflection, connection, and recognition of a long and proud history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service.

National Commemorative Service and Veterans’ March

The official National Commemorative Service will commence at 9:30am on the Parade Ground, beginning with the RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March along Anzac Parade. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, whose members will lead the march in recognition of their centenary.

This moving procession honours the service and sacrifice of past and present members of the ADF and provides an opportunity for individuals, families and associations to pay tribute together.

This year’s Anzac Day Address will be delivered by Major Angela Uphill, a serving officer in the Australian Army and physiotherapist with the 2nd Health Brigade.

Seating is unallocated and available on a first-come basis, and large screens will be positioned throughout the grounds for easy viewing. Visitors are welcome to bring their own rugs or chairs and settle in for the morning’s proceedings.

Following the service, the Memorial’s galleries will be open from 1pm to 4pm, inviting visitors to explore the nation’s military history and honour those who served.

The Last Post

The Last Post Ceremony will start at 4:30pm and commemorate the service and sacrifice of Melbourne Anzac, Captain Edward Frederick Robert (Bob) Bage, who landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and was killed in action 12 days later.

Commemorate Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial — a day of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. From the stillness of pre-dawn to the reverent notes of the Last Post, every moment offers a powerful opportunity to honour the courage, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.

For more details, visit awm.gov.au/anzac