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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 2023 Program of Events and other useful information below
Note: Programs are pending updates and are expected to be released in Mid March 2023

ANZAC Day Program of Events

The ANZAC Day events are well attended by the community, causing traffic delays for short periods of time. 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 the course of 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.

Thursday, 20 April 2023

ANZAC Day Commemoration Service Christ Church Cathedral

Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Location: Christ Church Cathedral, Church St NEWCASTLE
Toilets: Onsite
Parking: On-Street
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
Road Closures:
- 20 April 2023, 0600am to 0100pm
  - Cathedral Car Park Closed

Saturday 22 April 2023

Memorial Walk Sunset Service

Time: 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Strzelecki Lookout and car park, Shepherds Hill, Memorial Drive
Toilets: King Edward Park
Parking: On-street and Bar Beach car park
Accessibility:
- Vehicles displaying disability parking permits can park in the Strzelecki Lookout Car Park.
- Paths of travel to the event are down along the Memorial Dr footpath. The distance is approximately 180 metres. People with limited mobility are encouraged to take care, as there are some uneven surfaces.
Public transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
Road Closures:
- 22 April 2023, 12noon to 07:00pm
  - Strzelecki Look Our Carpark closed
- 22 April 2023, 04:00pm to 07:00pm
  - Newcastle Memorial Walk closed for the Service
- 22 April 2023, 04:45pm to 06:15pm
  - Memorial Drive (Fenton Drive and High Street) The Hill
  - Memorial Drive (Parkway Avenue and Fenton Drive) The Hill (resident access only)
  - High Street (Cliff Street and Lemnos Parade) The Hill
  - Limited access to ANZAC Parade at Bingle Street and Kitchener Parade

Monday, 24 April 2023

War Memorial Grove Candlelight Vigil

Time: 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Memorial Grove Civic Park
Toilets: Civic Park
Parking: On-street Civic Car Park and Gibson Street Car Park
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 footpath. The distance is approximately 140 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 Library
Public transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
Road Closures:
- 24 April 2023, 04:00pm to 07:00pm,
  - Laman St (Darby St and Dawson) Cooks Hill

Tuesday 25 April 2023

Additional 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 on the day.

From 3.30am, light rail services will run every 7.5 minutes and ferry services will operate every 20 minutes. There will be additional services on bus routes 11, 13, 14 and 23 from 3.20am.

Download 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 7am to noon.

View the diversion map

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

The free transport for Tuesday 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 Dawn Service will begin at 5:00am and includes a band, bugler, bagpipers and choir. The service will conclude at approximately 6:00am with a four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the guns at Fort Scratchley.

In keeping with tradition there will be a controlled blackout of the site prior to the Dawn Service. Attendees are advised to bring a torch, warm clothing and wet weather protection.

Large LCD Outdoor Screens will provide coverage of the Dawn Service.

Time: 5:00am to 6:00am
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 04:00 am sharp in preparation for the 05:00 am 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, but access to it will also be closed at 04:00 am.
  - 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.
- Accessbale Veiwing Area
  - A designated viewing area for frail aged Diggers, people who require assistance with mobility and their companions and carers is provided for the Dawn Service. The designated viewing area will be occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. The viewing area is safely accessible by continuous travel paths from the Horseshoe Beach car park.
- Accessible Toilets
  - Temporary accessible toilets are located near the designated viewing area and also at the Foreshore Park carriage sheds.
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2023, 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 2023, 06:00am to 25 April 2023, 06:00pm
  - Nobbys Car Park No 1
- 23 April 2023, 06:00am to 25 April 2023, 06:00pm
  - Nobbys Car Park No 2 and Pasha Way
- 25 April 2023, 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: NBN Broadcast Area (Newcastle to Queensland) and Live Stream
Toilets: N/A
Parking: N/A
Accessibility:
- Captions Available
Public Transport: N/A
Road Closures: N/A

ANZAC Day March

Under Police direction, the March will step off at 9.15am at the Cnr of Hunter and St Perkins St, and proceed south along Perkins St, turning right into King St, proceeding west along King St, then left into Auckland St to halt and disband into Civic Park. Road closures will be in place along the route to ensure the safe passage of the parade.

Vehicle access to and from properties along the March route will not be permitted during the road closures. Residents or businesses are advised to move their vehicles before the closures take effect.

Time: 09:00am to 10:00am (Step Off 09:15am)
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 QWH
Parking: On-Street, Hunter Parking Station, King St Parking Station
Accessibility: NA
Public Transport: https://newcastletransport.info/
- 25 April 2023, 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:
- 25 April 2023, 06:00 to 10:00am (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 2023, 8:00am to 10:00am (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 2023 March Form Up Guide (.pdf)
- ANZAC Day 2023 March Route (.pdf)
- ANZAC Day 2023 March Group Allocations (.pdf)

ANZAC Day United Commemoration Service

The Newcastle ANZAC Day United
Commemoration Service is a combined faith service and all are welcome. It will be held at the cenotaph in Civic Park commencing from 10:00am.

The RAAF Williamtown will conduct a Flyover at 10:00am sharp.

Time: 10:00am to 11:00am (Fly Over 10am 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 2023, 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:
- 25 April 2023, 08:00 to 12:00pm
  - 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

A four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the 25 Pound Feild Gun at Fort Scratchley will be conducted at the conclusion of the Dawn Service at approximately 6:00am, this represents the Navy, Army, Air Force and ANZAC.

At 1:00pm and 3:00pm the firing by the historic 25 Pound Feild Gun that fired on the Japanese submarine on 8 June 1942. The Fort Scratchley Historic 150cm Carbon Arc Search Light will light up Nobbys Beach, Nobbys Lighthouse and Christ Church Cathedral prior to
the commencement of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Gun Firing: 1:00pm and 3:00pm
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 Scrtchley 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 2023, 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: NA

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

Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm,
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 2023, 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: NA
Website: https://www.queenswharfhotel.com.au/

Our Supporters

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

ANZAC Day 2023