Anzac Day

When is Anzac Day 2023 in Australia?

Anzac Day 2023 will be on 25 April. This year, that date will fall on a Tuesday.

Anzac Day is specifically set on 25 April every year.

25 April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916 and was marked at the time by a range of services held throughout Australia.

It commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who died in wars, armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

Today at the Australian War Memorial, the annual dawn service is held to remember all Australians who served and died in all wars and conflicts

History of Anzac Day

Anzac stands for ‘Australian and New Zealand Army Corps’. 

The acronym is often used to describe the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder together in the war. 

Anzac Day commemorates the first major battle of World War I, fought near the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915.

On Anzac Day, we come together to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom, and to honour those who didn’t make it home. 

We show our love and support for all those who have given their lives in service to others, and pledge to continue fighting for peace and liberty.

Anzac Day Beginnings

In 1942, Anzac Day was first commemorated at the Australian War Memorial by a small gathering of people. 

Though Anzac Day had been observed in the past, this was the first time it was held at war memorials in each state, as it traditionally is today.

However, at the time there were government orders that prevented large public gatherings in case of a Japanese air attack.

Because of this, it was forbidden for people to commemorate the day publicly during the war.

As a result, people needed to observe the holiday in small gatherings, which became a tradition even to this day.

In the years since the war, Anzac Day has become one of Australia’s most important national holidays. 

It’s celebrated with patriotic fervor, and many people participate in events such as dawn services.

How to Observe Anzac Day 2023

Attend a dawn service

The initial attack of the Anzac forces began at dawn on 25 April.

Because of this, the ceremonies of Anzac Day, known as the Dawn Service, begin at dawn.

These ceremonies typically contain several speeches as well as songs and other performances.

Some Anzac Day performances can be very big, like the national performances held at Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, 

These ceremonies often each exceed tens of thousands of people in person! 

However, small services are also an excellent way to observe Anzac Day and can be quite moving. 

They can also be very personal and quiet, as these memorials are to remember the sacrifices made for the country.

The Anzac Day ceremony usually includes an introduction, hymn, prayer, address, laying of wreaths, recitations, the Last Post and a period of silence.

After the Memorial’s service families often place red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour.

The Last Post

Often heard at memorials on Anzac Day, The Last Post is the tune played over a bugle to signal the end of the day, or final post, when it was time for soldiers to rest. 

At memorial services, this melody is played as a metaphor, symbolizing those soldiers who are at their final rest, in remembrance of their sacrifices.

Memorials to Visit on Anzac Day 2023

There are several different kinds of war memorials all over Australia, which offer a perfect place to commemorate Anzac Day in 2023. 

Some of the most popular in each city are as follows:

Sydney

The Anzac Memorial in Sydney, first built in 1934, has been standing for nearly 100 years. 

It’s the site of the annual Anzac Day ceremony and draws people from all over the country to view it every year. 

It also features a collection of items that give history and meaning to the wars fought by Anzac soldiers.

Sydney

• Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney
• 126 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000
• Click here to view the memorial

Melbourne

The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne features several exhibits and galleries dedicated to showing the sacrifice of Anzac troops. 

It also contains a large beautiful building you can tour to see more facts about Australian and New Zealand war efforts over the years. 

The shrine is free for all visitors and open from 10AM – 5PM. 

With over 800 different art works, photos and objects, there is plenty to explore and learn from this memorial.

Melbourne

• Shrine of Remembrance
• Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3001
• Click here to view the memorial

Brisbane

The Queensland National Anzac Memorial, dedicated in 1930, is in Anzac Square, Brisbane and serves as the center for commemorations in Queensland. 

It contains several statues, galleries and an eternal burning flame in remembrance of the sacrifice of Anzac soldiers. 

It’s also where the Brisbane City Anzac service takes place each year, in the Shrine of Remembrance. 

Each year, the Anzac March leads people through the city to the memorial, where the solemn ceremony is conducted.

Brisbane

• Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries
• 285 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
• Click here to view the memorial

Perth

The State War Memorial Precinct in Perth is located in King’s Park, which has more statues and memorials than any other park in the country. 

The Precinct features a Flame of Remembrance and a Pool of Reflection.

Nearly 40,000 people come to the park every year to attend the Anzac Dawn Service on Anzac Day! 

This park is the perfect place to visit and learn more about the Anzac troops, as well as many of the other statues and memorials found within the park.

Perth

• The State War Memorial Precinct in Perth
• Fraser Ave, Kings Park WA 6005
• Click here to view the memorial

Adelaide

The memorial in Adelaide, South Australia contains a very large stone frame that shows the beginning and ending of World War 1.

In this war, 37.7% of the young men in South Australia joined the military and fought far from home. 

Bronze plaques line the area showing the names of those who fell in battle.

Adelaide

• Adelaide National War Memorial
• 190 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
• Click here to view the memorial

Canberra

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra features many galleries and offers a Last Post Ceremony daily, which are all free if you book a ticket in advance. 

There are also several art pieces commissioned by the Australian government to artistically depict Anzac principles.

As the war memorial is located in the nation’s capital, there are large and solemn services held here every year and broadcasted across the country.

Canberra

• The Australian War Memorial in Canberra
• Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612
• Click here to view the memorial

Hobart

The Hobart War Memorial in Tasmania was dedicated in December of 1925, making it one of the oldest war memorials in the country. 

It was visited by Queen Elizabeth during the Anzac ceremonies in 1988 and stands over 75 meters tall. 

It’s used every year for ceremonies on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day and features a lot of symbolism to represent those who died in the war.

Anzac Day is a solemn ceremony throughout all of Australia, commemorating the sacrifices of those who fought bravely for the country. 

Attending one of the many ceremonies hosted throughout the country can be a moving experience. 

Hobart

• Hobart War Memorial (Cenotaph)
• Anzac Parade, Queens Domain TAS 7000
• Click here to view the memorial

Darwin

The Anzac Memorial in Darwin holds a special place in the list of Anzac Memorials, as it is located near Darwin Harbor.

This is where soldiers departed Australia to join World War 1. For many of those soldiers, it was the last sight of Australia they would ever see.

The 5.5 meter tall stone pillar is the site of the yearly Anzac ceremony and draws participants from all over the state. 

As the size of the ceremonies grew, the memorial had to be relocated two separate times to accommodate the size of the crowds.

Darwin

• Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial
• Bicentennial Park, Esplanade, Darwin City NT 0800
• Click here to view the memorial

As we draw closer to the next Anzac Day in 2023, you can pick from the many ideas listed above to find some amazing ways to spend the day.