In pictures: Australians commemorate Anzacs with dawn services and marches

Key Points

Dawn services have been held across the country to mark Anzac Day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to those who served their country.
It’s the 109th anniversary of the landings in Gallipoli.

Australians old and young woke up at the crack of dawn to honour Anzac soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Dawn services have taken place across the nation to commemorate Anzac Day, while in Papua New Guinea, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese finished walking sections of the with his PNG counterpart, James Marape.

Albanese honoured the sacrifice of those who served along the mountainous trail, as well as those who served in other conflicts.

The history of Anzac Day

Thursday marks the 109th anniversary of the landing on 25 April 1915 in Gallipoli, Türkiye, of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, along with British, French and Indian troops, during World War One.

Defence Minister Richard Marles is in Gallipoli attending local ceremonies.

“When we think about the Gallipoli campaign, we think of mateship and sacrifice, and we admire the extraordinary actions of the Anzac soldiers,” Marles said.

“We acknowledge the 1,500 Australian defence personnel who are currently deployed on operations and honour the memory of the more than 103,000 Australians who gave their life in service of our country.”

The landings marked the first major battle Australian and New Zealand soldiers faced in World War One.

Capital city dawn services and marches

In Canberra, a single didgeridoo pierced the silence at the Australian War Memorial where some 32,000 people were present as the temperature dropped to 2C.

A member of the Australian Defence Force plays the last post near the Stone of Remembrance during the dawn service.

The landings at Gallipoli, Türkiye, marked the first major battle Australian and New Zealand soldiers faced in World War One. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Letters from Anzacs in World War One were read out and the names of fallen soldiers were illuminated on the building in Canberra, as the service began at 5.30am and ended with a minute’s silence and the Last Post.

A soldier wearing full military regalia stands solemnly with a rifle.

Governor-General David Hurley lays a wreath during the Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Queensland

Queenslanders gathered in their thousands across the state to pause and reflect on the contributions of defence personnel and their sacrifice to Australia.

A small huddle of surf boats, with paddles raised, silhouetted against the dawn sky while small waves break in the foreground.

Surf boats perform a burial at sea during Anzac Day Dawn Service at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

Near the state border with NSW, surf boats performed a burial at sea, while a large crowd paid their respects at the Currumbin dawn service.

A group of people. A girl wearing a pink tracksuit and holding an Australian flag on a stick is sitting on a man's shoulders.

People at Anzac Day commemorations in Brisbane. Source: AAP / Darren England

Hundreds gathered as early as 3.30am in Brisbane city before the state’s governor, Jeanette Young, laid a wreath.

By the time the service had finished, between 12,000 and 15,000 people had attended Anzac Square in the city’s CBD.

NSW

Thousands of people, including veterans, gathered under a full moon and clear skies for a solemn pre-dawn service in Sydney’s CBD.

Wreaths placed around and on a large oblong marble monument. The words Lest We Forget are inscribed on the monument in gold lettering.

The Returned Services League has encouraged Australians to honour the nation’s veterans and defence personnel. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

The commemoration at the near 100-year-old Cenotaph in Martin Place was held in crisp weather.

Several people, some of whom are wearing military medals, sit in the dark.

People at the Anzac Day dawn service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

As the Last Post played, the crowd bowed their heads and some saluted before a minute of silence to honour those who died in war.

Victoria

Tens of thousands of Victorians gathered for Anzac Day dawn services as a large crowd turned out in chilly temperatures at the Shrine of Remembrance.

A crowd of people stand in the dark, a large marble structure is semi-illuminated behind them.

Liberal MP Phil Thompson, a former soldier who was appointed Anzac of the Year in 2016, said the day of reflection withstood all the current global tensions. Source: AAP / Con Chronis

Melburnians braved the darkness and brisk weather to mark the 109th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

The Shrine Of Remembrance during Anzac Day in Melbourne. Source: AAP / Con Chronis

More than 40,000 people filled the area around the war memorial, which was lit up in red before dawn.

A man wearing camouflage uniform with medals on it and a black beret with a star badge on it. He is holding a large Australian flag on a pole.

A man on the steps of the Shrine of Remembrance during the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne. Source: AAP / Con Chronis

South Australia

The South Australian National War Memorial Service started at 5:30am.

Western Australia

The dawn service at the State War Memorial in Kings Park at Perth started at 5:30am before a gunfire breakfast was held at Government House Gardens at 7am.

The march took place at St Georges Terrace from 9am.

Northern Territory

A dawn service was held at the Cenotaph at the Esplanade in Darwin ahead of a 9am parade.

Tasmania

A dawn service was held at 6am at the Hobart Cenotaph, followed by the Queens Domain main parade at 11am along Elizabeth Street before the Hobart main service at 11:45am at the Queens Domain Cenotaph.

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