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 Kokoda Track 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.
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.
Queensland
Queenslanders gathered in their thousands across the state to pause and reflect on the contributions of defence personnel and their sacrifice to Australia.
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.
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.
The commemoration at the near 100-year-old Cenotaph in Martin Place was held in crisp weather.
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.
Melburnians braved the darkness and brisk weather to mark the 109th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.
More than 40,000 people filled the area around the war memorial, which was lit up in red before dawn.
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.
