Record numbers expected to attend Anzac Day dawn services

WONDERING where to head to watch the Dawn Service? Here's the ultimate guide for every state in the country.

Lieutenant Thomas Tilbrook, recipient of medal for Gallantry, in cloisters at National War Memorial, Canberra, ACT. P/ Austr...

HUNDREDS of thousands of people are expected to get up early to attend Anzac Day services around the country to mark the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli.

It’s likely to be a wet morning for most with a cold front crossing Victoria and South Australia bringing rain to Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales.

Adelaide is likely to have early showers, while Brisbane and Perth will be fine. Here’s a guide to what is happening in your state:

ACT

Australia’s flagship national ceremony will be held at Canberra’s Australian War Memorial marking the beginning of three separate events. A dawn service starts at 4:30am followed by a national ceremony at 9am and a march to take place after that.

People are being advised to allow extra travel time as it’s likely to be busy and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For details of the event in Canberra click here. Information on local services can be found on the RSL website.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The official service in New South Wales will be held at the Cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place starting at 4:30am. Officials are warning crowds are likely to be bigger than usual and expect the space to be full by 3am with large screens erected for people to see.

Roads around the city will be closed with extra public transport services scheduled. Travel is free for members of the Australian Defence Force in uniform or wearing medals, as well as for carers, family members or widows who are carrying an accreditation letter or gold card. See the map of road closures here or visit Transport New South Wales for travel options.

A full list of services around Sydney can be found on the NSW Government Centenary website while regional services from Aberdeen to Yass are here.

QUEENSLAND

An official service will be held at ANZAC Square in Brisbane starting at 4:30am with free transport to veterans and their families. The event will be broadcast on big screens and a list of Brisbane city road closures can be found here. It will be followed by a parade starting at 9:30am with the best vantage points along Adelaide Street in Brisbane.

To see where local services are being held from Far North Queensland to the Sunshine Coast, click here.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Darwin’s main service will be held at 6am at The Cenotaph on The Esplanade, followed by a parade at 9:30am. Other local services can be found on the Centenary website.

VICTORIA

Melbourne’s main service will take place at the Shrine of Rememberance from 6am with large screens to accommodate crowds. Travel will be free for those attending the services but there are expected to be significant road closures and changes to public transport. The service will be followed by a march in which descendants are invited to take place.

Local events can be searched on an interactive map here and RSLs are asking people to register their intent to allow them to plan for numbers.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide’s main service will be at the South Australian National War Memorial on North Terrace, Adelaide from 6.00am.

For a full list of regional services click here.

TASMANIA

The Cenotaph at Hobart’s Domain will be the main spot at 6am in Tasmania, with a range of other services around the state.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth’s main service will be at Kings Park from 5:50am with around 100,000 people expected to be in the city at dawn. Travel on public transport will be free for all passengers, including extra shuttle buses. For local services around Western Australia click here.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra will host the main event. Pictured: Lieutenant Thomas Tilbrook who won the medal for gallantry.

Originally published as Record numbers expected to attend Anzac Day dawn services