ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance and commemoration of the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I. It is a public holiday in both Melbourne and Sydney, with many events and activities taking place throughout the day to honour those who have served their country. Here are some of the best things to do in Melbourne and Sydney on ANZAC Day.
Melbourne:
- Attend the Dawn Service – The Dawn Service is held at the Shrine of Remembrance, and is a poignant and moving ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices made by those who served in World War I.
- Join the ANZAC Day parade – Starting at the Shrine of Remembrance and ending at Federation Square, the parade brings together veterans, serving members of the Australian Defence Forces, and the wider community to pay their respects.
- Visit the Australian War Memorial in Melbourne – The Australian War Memorial is a solemn and sobering place to learn more about Australia’s military history, and to pay tribute to those who have served.
- Watch the AFL ANZAC Day match – The Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers play each other on ANZAC Day in what has become an important tradition in the AFL calendar.
Sydney:
- Attend the Dawn Service at Martin Place – The Dawn Service is held at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, and is a solemn and moving ceremony to honour those who have served.
- Visit the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park – The ANZAC Memorial is a beautiful and poignant tribute to those who have served their country, and is worth a visit on ANZAC Day.
- Watch the ANZAC Day March – The ANZAC Day March starts at 9:00am at Martin Place and finishes at Hyde Park, and is a chance to pay tribute to the men and women who have served in Australia’s defence forces.
- Attend the Sun Herald City2Surf ANZAC Day Challenge – The City2Surf is Australia’s largest fun run, and on ANZAC Day it is transformed into a challenging military-style obstacle course.
No matter how you choose to spend ANZAC Day, it is sure to be a day of reflection, commemoration, and gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who have served their country.