Anzac Day is an important special community event celebrated in Australia on April 25. Millions of Australians commemorate the anniversary of the first significant military pairing of Australian and New Zealand forces fighting together during the First World War.
In addition, veterans and participants in peacekeeping operations and conflicts will be honoured during this national event.
Anzac Day 2025 Public Holiday Date, Shrine Dawn Service & March
Australia and New Zealand observe this event every year, and it is marked by a public holiday. On this prestigious day, the Australian Government and all members of the public honour past and serving members.
The Melbourne Anzac Day March is a special event that veterans have always embraced. Victorian veterans will march back to the Shrine of Remembrance along St Kilda Road. The march will be live-streamed on the Shrine website and social media channels.
Commemorative activities in Melbourne include:
- ANZAC Church Service
- The Dawn Service
- Commemoration March of Veterans
- Wreath Laying
Dawn Sevice
The Dawn Service in Melbourne is a solemn tradition, and an important way for Victorians to commemorate those who served and died in defence of our country.
The service is held at dawn as this is the time the ANZACs first approached the beach in Gallipoli, and faced their first bout of conflict during World War I.
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service will commence at 5:30 am at the Shrine of Remembrance.
There will be multiple screens around the Shrine to enable participants to view the proceedings.
The Dawn Service finishes at about 6:30am. At the end of the service, members of the public can go into the Sanctuary of the Shrine of Remembrance to lay a poppy.
The Shrine of Remembrance opens to the public for general viewing at 7:00am.
The Dawn Service happens outside and happens in all weather. It is a large crowd that gathers so you are likely to be standing for the whole service.
Parking at the Shrine of Remembrance and its surrounds is restricted on ANZAC Day in Melbourne, so it is recommended that you catch public transport to the Dawn Service.
Melbourne’s Commemoration March
The ANZAC Day March is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience and learn about this highly significant day in Australian history and culture. Descendants of veterans are encouraged and welcome to participate in the ANZAC Day March.
The March is also an opportunity for the general public to honour and recognise those who have served and who currently serve in defence of Australia or its interests.
Melbourne’s Commemoration March is designed to enable those who have served our country and its allies to re-form the ranks of their units and March to the Shrine of Remembrance as a mark of respect for their fallen comrades.
RACV vehicles carrying the first veterans proceed down the March route at 8:30am, and the remainder of the March commences at 9am. The March is normally complete before midday.
There are three ways by which an individual can participate in the March:
- As a former or current member of the Australian Defence Force
- As a Veteran of a Commonwealth or Allied Force
- As a descendant of an Australian, Commonwealth or Allied Veteran who are wearing the campaign medals of their forebears on the right side of their chest
All March participants should be in their allocated assembly area at least one hour prior to the expected time for their formation to step-off.
The Melbourne ANZAC Day Commemoration March is not a parade; therefore, no vehicle, animal, weaponry or memorabilia (including historical uniforms) may be included without the prior approval of RSL Victoria as the March organisers. Escorts to Colours etc., and the catafalque parties may carry arms.
Please do not carry any photographs while marching.
Due to the number of participants and their safety, prams are not permitted in the March.
Viewing The March
Everyone is encouraged to come along and support our veterans. You can view the March along the March route from Swanston Street (near Fed Square) down St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance.
Getting There
Metro Trains
Metro Trains run an additional early morning service on each train line to Flinders Street Station on ANZAC Day for passengers wishing to attend the Dawn Service.
From 5:30am Metro trains will run to a Saturday timetable.
Yarra Trams
Additional trams will operate on the Swanston Street and St Kilda Road corridors between Flinders Street and Stop 20 (ANZAC Station) on ANZAC Day morning to assist those wishing to attend the Dawn Service.
Two extra services will operate on all CBD lines to further assist passengers to attend the Dawn Service.
Tram services will halt along St Kilda Road from 6am on ANZAC Day until after the Commemoration March is complete and the road is clear of event infrastructure at about 2pm.
PTV Shuttle Buses
Public Transport Victoria offers a shuttle bus service to help people get to and from the Melbourne Dawn Service. Pre-bookings should be made through the PTV website or by calling 1800 800 007.
The shuttle buses depart from 12 designated locations around Melbourne and travel to the Shrine of Remembrance for the Dawn Service.
Shuttle buses depart the Shrine of Remembrance after the Dawn Service. Buses depart at 7am and 7:30am back to the original locations.
Pick-up locations:
- Ashburton Community Centre via Camberwell Junction and St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church Chadstone
- Croydon Railway Station via Ringwood East Station
- Dandenong RSL via Noble Park RSL, Springvale, Clayton RSL and Oakleigh
- Westfield Doncaster via, North Balwyn Shopping Centre, Kew and Victoria Park
- Essendon Football Ground (Windy Hill)
- Greensborough RSL via Watsonia RSL
- St Johns Catholic Church Mitcham via Blackburn Railway Station, Box Hill and Balwyn
- Mordialloc Railway Station via Mentone Railway Station and Sandringham Railway Station
- Templestowe RSL via Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital
- Thomastown via Reservoir Railway Station and Coburg Town Hall
- Knox City Shopping Centre Wantirna South via Scoresby Village Shopping Centre, Waverley RSL and Mount Waverley Shopping Centre
- Williamstown Town Hall via Yarraville
Passengers must book their seat on one of the wheelchair-accessible buses by 4pm on Monday, 22 April, on the PTV website or by calling 1800 800 007.
Watching The Dawn Service From Home
For those unable to attend the Dawn Service in person, the Service will be available online via the following:
- RSL Victoria Facebook page or website
- ABC Television provides the official live broadcast of the Dawn Service in Melbourne
- Some free-to-air television stations also broadcast from the event, and other ANZAC Day events around the nation
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