Anzac Day 2023: Your guide to Dawn Services and events around SA

At the crack of dawn we will remember them. Find your nearest Anzac Day events here plus how to get there.

Without fail, thousands of South Australians from Port Lincoln to Mount Gambier, the Adelaide Hills to the city centre gather early in the morning on April 25 to pay respect to the fallen on Anzac Day.

Out of the more than 100 Dawn Services and events to be held across the state, Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL hold one of the largest.

President Derek Meadows said this year’s Dawn Service at the Semaphore Foreshore is expected to draw a crowd of more than 10,000.

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“It’s a day where Australians and New Zealanders come together and pay their respects. It’s reflected in the number of people that take part in the services Australia-wide,” Mr Meadows said.

“We have one of the biggest here and we’re very proud of it and hoping to improve on it.”

Mr Meadows, an ex-serviceman, said Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care and member for Hindmarsh, Mark Butler, will be returning to officiate the service.

Derek Meadows, the president of the Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL who are hosting a Dawn Service on Anzac Day. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

After the Dawn Service, the RSL will hold a traditional Gunfire Breakfast for $20 and sausage sizzle. Bookings are required for the breakfast due to popularity.

Mr Meadows said crowds usually flocked to the club’s traditional Anzac Day game of ‘Two Up’; a game involving a spinner who throws two coins up into the air, which punters bet whether it will be heads or tails.

“It’s a very noisy and fun-filled event that only RSL clubs can have on Anzac Day,” he said.

“It’s really good fun because a lot of the younger service people play and get excited about it.”

A large crowd at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Semaphore in 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

A large crowd at the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Semaphore in 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Meadows said although putting together the Anzac Day service is “a lot of work”, the club and its volunteers do it for the community.

“It’s a community effort and we have an amazing volunteer work force of people of all age groups who contribute, whether it’s picking up glasses or cleaning up or tending the bar it all works out for us on the day,” he said.

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The sun will be shining down on South Australia’s Anzac Day commemorations, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting sunshine and a maximum of 27C for Tuesday – Adelaide’s warmest April 25 since 2016.

Rain is expected on April 25, with long-range forecasts predicting scattered clouds and possible isolated thunderstorms, with a top of 23 degrees.

On Anzac Day this year, free travel will be available on all Adelaide Metro buses, trains and trams for past and present military personnel who are wearing uniform, people wearing service medals and people carrying a war veteran’s identification group.

Additional bus, train and tram services will operate to bring people into the city for the CBD Dawn Service. A fully accessible Adelaide Metro Digger Shuttle will run clockwise from the Cross of Sacrifice on King William Road to Victoria Square every 15 minutes after the Anzac Day March from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

“Road closures will be in place along North Terrace and King William Road during the Dawn Service and march which will require bus routes to detour and tram services to cut back at Adelaide Railway Station and Rundle Mall,” a Department for Infrastructure and Transport spokesperson said.