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The traditional ANZAC ideals of courage, endurance and mateship are still relevant today, established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 killed or subsequently died of wounds or disease.

The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘ANZAC’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.

In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Prime Minister, George Pearce.

By the 1920s, Anzac Day ceremonies were held throughout Australia. All States had designated Anzac Day as a public holiday. In the 1940s, Second World War veterans joined parades around the country. In the ensuing decades, returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, plus veterans from allied countries and peacekeepers, joined the parades.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of people attending the ceremonies fell as Australians questioned the relevance of ANZAC Day. However, in the 1990s, there was a resurgence of interest in ANZAC Day, with attendance, particularly by young people, increasing across Australia and many making the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to attend the Dawn Service.

Media Downloads

Download the full ANZAC Day 2024 Program of Events and other helpful information below.
Note: Programs are pending updates and are expected to be released in mid-March 2025

ANZAC Day Program of Events

The ANZAC Day events are well attended by the community, causing traffic delays for short periods. Traffic management operations under the direction of the NSW Police will be used to minimise risk to the public involving road closures, and access will be restricted in some streets at particular times during these events.

The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Day Committee apologises in advance for any inconvenience to businesses and residents and appreciates their patience during these important events.

Monday 14 April 2025

ANZAC Day Commemoration Service Christ Church Cathedral

Service includes the unveiling and dedication of a marble plaque donated by the RSL Sub branch in memory of the 35th Battalion (Newcastle’s own) paid by the survivors of the 35th at the end of WW1.

Time: 1100hrs to 1200hrs
Location: Christ Church Cathedral, Church St, NEWCASTLE
Toilets: Onsite
Parking: On-Street
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
Road Closures: Cathedral Car Park Closed

Memorial Walk Sunset Service

The sunset service will not go ahead for 2025, this is due to conflicting events over easter.

Friday 25 April 2025

Additional Transport Services for ANZAC Day

Newcastle Transport will run additional bus, ferry and light rail services on ANZAC Day to help Novocastrians travel to and from the dawn service at Nobbys Beach and other commemorative events.

From 0330hrs, light rail services will run every 7.5 minutes, and ferry services will operate every 20 minutes. Additional services will be on bus routes 11, 13, 14 and 23 from 0320hrs.

Download the ANZAC Day public transport map

There will be minor changes to bus services in the CBD during the ANZAC Day march. Buses will travel down Hunter and Scott Streets instead of King Street from 0700hrs to Noon.

View the diversion map

People with direct Australian Defence Force (ADF) association are offered free transport to participate in Newcastle Anzac Day services.

The free transport for Friday 25 April is available to members or ex-members of the Australian Defence Force and their carers, as well as the spouses, children and grandchildren of deceased service personnel and the spouses, children and grandchildren of living war veterans.

Timetables for the additional services are available below:

Bus timetable

Ferry timetable

Light rail timetable

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

The City of Newcatsle is a proud supporter of the ANZAC Day Events. Since 2004

The Dawn Service will begin promptly at 0500hrs, marking the solemn occasion with a moving tribute that includes a band, bugler, bagpipers, and a choir. The service will conclude around 0600hrs, followed by a poignant four-gun salute to honour the fallen, fired from the historic Fort Scratchley guns. Adding to the ceremony’s reverence.

In keeping with tradition, the site will observe a controlled blackout before the service to enhance the atmosphere. We encourage all attendees to bring a torch, wear warm clothing, and prepare for inclement weather to ensure a comfortable experience throughout the event.

Large outdoor screens will be set up for your convenience, offering live coverage of the Dawn Service so all attendees can fully participate in this meaningful ceremony.

Time: 0500hrs to 0600hrs
Flyover 0600hrs (after the Fort Scratchley four-gun Salute)
Location: Camp Shortland, Pasha Way, Newcastle East NSW 2300
Toilets: Nobby’s SLSC and Onsite Events Toilets
Parking: On-Street, Hunter Parking Station, King St Parking Station
Accessibility:
- Accessible Parking
  - Vehicles displaying disability parking permits can park in the Horseshoe Beach car park which is designated specifically for vehicles with mobility parking scheme permits. The car park will close for event proceedings from 0400hrs sharp in preparation for the 0500hrs Dawn Service.
  - People requiring a high level of assistance with mobility are encouraged to use the Horseshoe Beach car park. There are approximately 80 vehicle spaces and will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. There are flat and continuous paths of travel to the event, and an accessible viewing area and the distance is approximately 150 metres.
  - Additional parking is available in the recently expanded Foreshore carpark, access will be closed at 0400hrs.
  - Paths of travel to the event are along the Wharf Road footpath. The distance is approximately 400 metres. People with limited mobility are encouraged to take care, as there are some uneven surfaces.
- Accessible Viewing Area
  - A designated viewing area is provided for frail-aged veterans, individuals requiring mobility assistance, and their companions or carers during the Dawn Service. This area will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is easily accessible via continuous travel paths from the Horseshoe Beach car park, ensuring a safe and convenient route for all attendees.
- Accessible Toilets
  - Accessible toilets are located at the Nobbys SLSC.
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2025, 03:30 am to 12:30 pm (Special ANZAC Day Time Table)
- Light Rail (Newcastle Interchange all stops to Newcastle Beach)
- Ferry (Stockton to Queens Wharf)
Road Closures:
- 22 April 2025, 06:00am to 25 April 2023, 06:00pm
  - Nobbys Car Park No. 1
- 23 April 2025, 06:00am to 25 April 2023, 06:00pm
  - Nobbys Car Park No 2 and Pasha Way
- 25 April 2025, 04:00am to 07:00am
  - Wharf Rd (Watt St to Nobbys Rd
  - Nobbys Rd (Shortland Esplanade to Parnel Place)
  - Shortland Esplanade (Nobbys Rd to Zarra St)

ANZAC Day Dawn Service Live Broadcast

Time: 05:00am to 06:00am
Location: Broadcast Live Stream on our YouTube channel in 4K
Stream URL: https://youtu.be/FkSJLvGFGpk

ANZAC Day March

Under Police direction, the March will step off promptly at 0915hrs from the corner of Hunter Street and St Perkins Street. It will proceed south along Perkins Street, then turn right onto King Street, moving west along King Street before turning left into Auckland Street, where the parade will halt and disband in Civic Park.

Road closures will be in place along the entire route to ensure the safe passage of the parade.

Please note that vehicle access to properties along the March route will be restricted during the road closures. Residents and businesses are advised to move their vehicles prior to the commencement of the closures to avoid any inconvenience.

Time: 0900hr to 1000hrs (Step Off 0915hrs)
Location:
- Form Up
  - Hunter St (Newcomen St to Brown St)
  - Perkins St (Hunter St to King St)
- March
  - King St (Perkins St to Auckland St)
  - Auckland St (King St to Laman St)
- Disband
  - Auckland St (Civic Park)
Toilets: Corner Hunter and Perkins St and 167 Scott St, Newcastle NSW 2300
Parking: On-Street, Hunter Parking Station, King St Parking Station
Accessible Toilets: Market Street Lawn
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2025, 0330hrs to 1230hrs (Special ANZAC Day Time Table)
  - Light Rail (Newcastle Interchange all stops to Newcastle Beach)
  - Ferry (Stockton to Queens Wharf)
Road Closures:
- 25 April 2025, 0600hrs to 1000hrs (March Form Up)
  - Hunter St (Newcomen St to Brown St)
  - Perkins Street (Hunter St to King St)
  - Brown St (King St to Hunter St)
- 25 April 2025, 0800hrs to 1000hrs (March)
  - King St (Wolf St to Auckland St)
  - Perkins St (Church St to King St)
  - Brown St ( Church St to King St)
  - Crown St (Hunter St)
  - Darby St (Hunter St to Tyrell St)
  - Auckland St (Laman St and Kings St
  - Gibbson St (Auckland St)
Downloads
- ANZAC Day 2025 March Form Up Guide (.pdf)
- ANZAC Day 2025 March Route (.pdf)
- ANZAC Day 2025 March Group Allocations (.pdf)

ANZAC Day United Commemoration Service

The Newcastle ANZAC Day United
Commemoration Service is a combined faith service. All are welcome.

The service will be held at the cenotaph in Civic Park commencing from 1000hrs.

The RAAF Williamtown will conduct a Flyover at 1000hrs sharp.

Time: 1000hrs to 1100hrs (Fly Over 1000hrs Sharp)
Location: Civic Park, King St, Newcastle NSW 2300
Toilets: Newcastle City Hall, Civic Park
Parking: On-Street, Hunter Parking Station, King St Parking Station
Accessibility:
- Accessible Parking
  - Vehicles displaying disability parking permits can park in Queen St Car Park behind Newcastle Library.
  - Paths of travel to the event are along the Darby St and King St footpaths. The distance is approximately 180 metres. People with limited mobility are encouraged to take care, as there are some uneven surfaces.
- Accessible Toilets
  - Accessible toilets are located in Civic Park and Newcastle City Hall
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2024, 0330hrs to 1230hrs (Special ANZAC Day Time Table)
  - Light Rail (Newcastle Interchange all stops to Newcastle Beach)
  - Ferry (Stockton to Queens Wharf)
Road Closures:
- 25 April 2024, 0800hrs to 1200hrs
  - King St (Darby St to Auckland St)
  - Auckland St (Kings St to Laman St)
  - Gibson St (Auckland St).

Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day

The Fort Scratchley Historic 150cm Carbon Arc Search Light will light up Nobbys Beach, Nobbys Lighthouse and Christ Church Cathedral before
The commencement of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

A four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the 25-pound field Gun at Fort Scratchley will be conducted after the Dawn Service at approximately 0600hrs. This represents the Navy, Army, Air Force and ANZAC.

At 1300hrs and 1500hrs, the firing by the historic 25 Pound Field Gun fired on the Japanese submarine on 8 June 1942.

Time: 1200hrs to 1600hrs, (Gun Firing: 1300hrs and 1500hrs)
Location: Fort Scratchley, 1/3 Nobbys Rd, Newcastle East NSW 2300
Parking: On-Street, Fort Grounds and Fort Grounds Lower Car Park
Accessibility:
- Accessible Parking
  - Vehicles displaying disability parking permits can park in Fort Scratchley Car Park (Top)
  - Paths of travel to the event are along the Fort car park, over a ramp and into the Fort. The distance is approximately 50 metres. People with limited mobility are encouraged to take care as there are uneven surfaces.
- Accessible Toilets
  - Accessible toilets are located in Fort Scratchley Fort and the Multipurpose Centre
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2024, 0330hrs to 1230hrs (Special ANZAC Day Time Table)
  - Light Rail (Newcastle Interchange all stops to Newcastle Beach)
  - Ferry (Stockton to Queens Wharf)
Road Closures: NA

ANZAC Day Two Up and Pipe Band Display – Queens Wharf Hotel

Time: 1200hrs to 1600hrs,
Location: Queens Wharf Hotel (QWH), 150 Wharf Rd, Newcastle NSW 2300
Parking: On-Street, QWH Car Parks East and West, Boatharbour Car Park, Hunter Parking Station, King St Parking Station
Accessibility:
- Accessible Parking
  - Vehicles displaying disability parking permits can park in QWH East Carpark.
  - Paths of travel to the event are along the Foreshore Footpath. The distance is approximately 45 metres. People with limited mobility are encouraged to take care as there are some uneven surfaces and ramps.
- Accessible Toilets
  - Accessible toilets are located in QWH
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2025, 0330hrs to 1230hrs (Special ANZAC Day Time Table)
  - Light Rail (Newcastle Interchange all stops to Newcastle Beach)
  - Ferry (Stockton to Queens Wharf)
Road Closures: NA
Website: https://www.queenswharfhotel.com.au/

For event information regarding the ANZAC Day 2025 project, please contact Òngly Events Co, Stewards of Iconic Gatherings. Drew Ferguson-Tait, Project and Events Manager for ANZAC Day Services in Newcastle, can be reached via email at halo@onglyeventsco.com.au

For information regarding the RSL Services, please email: hello@newcatslersl.org.au or ph +61 (02) 4968 2088

Our Supporters

We acknowledge the ongoing support from our long-term supporters of the ANZAC Day Events here in Newcastle.

ANZAC Day 2025