What’s happening on Anzac Day in capital cities across Australia

A full rundown on what’s happening this Anzac Day, a national day of commemoration, in capital cities across Australia.

This Anzac Day thousands of Australians and New Zealanders will come together at services across the nation to reflect on those who died and the sacrifices made by our veterans and serving Defence Force members.

Anzac Day is a national day of commemoration in Australia and New Zealand, and this year marks 109 years since the landing at Gallipoli in World War I.

From dawn to sunset, services will be held in every state and territory across the country on this very important day in our nation’s history.

Here is what’s happening in capital cities across Australia:

Anzac Day Dawn Service at the cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

SYDNEY

Thousands of people are expected to gather at the cenotaph in Martin Place from 4.20am for NSW’s official Dawn Service.

Pat Johnson with her father’s medals and husband Ross Johnson, who was an patrol officer in Papua New Guinea at the Anzac Day march in Sydney last year. Picture: Tim Hunter.

At 9am, more than 10,000 veterans and serving members of the Defence Force will file past the Anzac Memorial. The public can show their support by lining Elizabeth St, with the march expected to finish at Liverpool St about 12.30pm.

John Murphy attended last year’s Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

MELBOURNE

Melbourne’s Anzac Day Dawn Service will take place from 5.30am at the Shrine of Remembrance in Kings Domain on St Kilda Rd.

The shrine will be open for viewing to the public from 6.30am.

Carol and Kelly Edgar during last year’s Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

The Anzac Day march will make its way down Swanston St, near Little Collins St, from 9am and continue onto St Kilda Rd and the shrine, finishing about noon.

It’s a day to be proud of those who are serving and those who served our country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Appleton

CANBERRA

Anzac Day services in the nation’s capital take place at the Australian War Memorial from 4.30am, with Australian Defence Force representatives reading letters and diary entries from Australians who witnessed the horrors of war.

This will be followed by an Anzac Day Dawn Service at 5.30am in the Sculpture Garden at the war memorial.

Veterans march in Canberra on Anzac Day last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ben Appleton

At 7am, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association Commemorative Ceremony takes place at the For Our Country sculptural pavilion.

The RSL ACT Branch Veterans’ March will make its way through the Parade Ground at 9am before a final service is held at 4.30pm with the Last Post.

Light horses in the Anzac Day March at Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

ADELAIDE

The Adelaide Dawn Service begins at 6am at the SA National War Memorial.

It will be followed by a gunfire breakfast from 7am.

At 9.30am, veterans and serving members of the Defence Force will begin their Anzac Day march from the North Terrace and Gawler Place intersection.

Anzac on Torrens begins at 10am as the first veterans finish their March. A traditional two-up ring will be operating and drinks and food will be available.

Two-up at the Story Bridge Hotel after the 2023 Anzac Day march. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glen Campbell

BRISBANE

The Anzac Day Dawn Service will begin at the Shrine of Remembrance at 4.28am.

People have been advised to arrive at Anzac Square no later than 3.30am.

Brisbane’s Anzac Day march will begin at 10.05am through Queens Park and George St in the CBD. It is expected to finish about 12.30pm.

The State War Memorial in Kings Park, Perth. NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

PERTH

Thousands of people are expected to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the State War Memorial in Kings Park that begins at 5.30am and finishes about 7am.

West Australian Governor Chris Dawson will host a gunfire breakfast in the gardens of Government House from 7am until 9am, then hundreds of current and former Defence Force members will file down St George’s Terrace for the Anzac Day march.

This year, RSLWA will be holding a mateship and family event at Langley Park after the March. The event is free to enter and will be open to all serving Defence Force members, veterans and the public until 4pm.

Lone horseman Rusty and Jack at the Mooloolaba Anzac Day Dawn Service. Picture: Vicki Keegan

DARWIN

Anyone wishing to attend the Darwin Dawn Service is asked to begin assembling at the Darwin Cenotaph at 5.30am.

Veterans will begin their Anzac Walk through Bicentennial Park and The Esplanade to the cenotaph at 5.50am before the Dawn Service begins at 6am.

The Anzac Day march will take place from 9am along The Esplanade, Knuckey St, Cavenagh St and will end at Bennett St in the Civic Centre area.

Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Hobart Cenotaph. Picture: Chris Kidd

HOBART

The Hobart Dawn Service begins at 6am at the cenotaph in Queens Domain.

At 11am, the Anzac Day march will make its way down Elizabeth St before a main service takes place at the cenotaph in Queens Domain 45 minutes later.