Anzac Day in NSW

ANZAC Day on 25 April is a commemoration and remembrance of all Australians who have served and died in war and on operation service around the world. It marks the landing in 1915 of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli, Turkey in World War I.

The ANZAC Day service

Dawn services, wreath-laying, veteran marches and commemorative services are held across Sydney and NSW. The main Dawn Service will be held at 4:30am in Martin Place in Sydney at The Cenotaph, which was sculpted by Sir Bertram Mackennal and unveiled in 1929.

In regional NSW, services and marches will take place at RSL’s across the state. The services offer quiet contemplation, accompanied by the bugle call of the Last Post and The Ode of Remembrance, an excerpt from English poet Laurence Binyon's moving poem, 'For the Fallen', which was first published in The Times in 1914.

Dawn Service held in Sydney on Anzac Day

Dawn Service held in Sydney on Anzac Day - Credit: NSW Government

The Ode is from the fourth stanza:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We shall remember them.

Anzac Park Memorial Walk, Glen Innes

Anzac Park Memorial Walk, Glen Innes 

Two Up

Another time-honoured ANZAC Day tradition is to play the game two-up. Its association with the day originates from WWI, when Australians played two-up in the trenches and on troop ships. The game can be played at home with three or more participants.

 

Visit these ANZAC Day events in Regional NSW

Public holiday dates 2026-2027

Holiday20262027
New Year's Day1 January1 January
Australia Day26 January26 January
Good Friday3 April26 March
Easter Saturday4 April27 March
Easter Sunday5 April28 March
Easter Monday 6 April29 March
Anzac Day 25 April 25 April 
King's Birthday/June Long Weekend8 June14 June
October Long Weekend (Labour Day)5 October4 October
Christmas Day public holiday25 December27 December
Boxing Day public holiday28 December28 December