Top 5 ANZAC Day centenary events around Australia

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This year’s ANZAC Day marks the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign. Jac Taylor shares her top five commemorative events around Australia.

1. Great Ocean Road, Melbourne

Constructed by returned First World War soldiers over 14 years following the war’s end, the Great Ocean Road could be seen as the world’s largest war memorial. Take in the memorial arch just west of Aireys Inlet and catch the dawn service on Saturday at Point Danger in Torquay.

 

Then head in to Melbourne for the many exhibitions being held: a display of archaeological finds from the Gallipoli battlefield (Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne); more than 350 wartime artefacts on loan from London’s Imperial War Museums (Melbourne Museum, Nicholson St, Carlton Gardens), and war propaganda, newsreels, advertisements and features from the early 20th century (Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square).

2. Canberra

If you’re not making the trip to Gallipoli, this is the next most traditional way to mark the day. The Australian War Memorial has been commemorating the centenary of the First World War since last year, but of course ANZAC Day is probably the most important day of that commemoration.

 

Anzac Day commemorations in the Nation’s Capital begin on the evening of Sunday 23 April with images of Australia’s service men and women being projected on the Memorial building. These projections will run until the commencement of the Dawn Service on Tuesday 25th April.

 

On Tuesday, excerpts from the letters and diaries of Australians who experienced war firsthand will be read aloud by a representative from each of the armed forces from 4.30 am.

 

At 4:55pm the Last Post Ceremony will commence in the War Memorial’s Commemorative Area. All members of the public are welcome to attend this special ceremony.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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3. Camp Gallipoli, several locations

A one-off celebration held concurrently in seven cities, this is a chance to sleep out under the stars in a digger-style swag in a huge display of ‘mateship’. Be entertained by special guests, documentaries and films, and rise along with your newfound friends for dawn service on ANZAC morning in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Hobart, Auckland. Camp Gallipoli is sounding pretty special.

4. Winton, Queensland

ANZAC Day falls on the last day of the eight-day Angel Flight Outback Trailblazer 4WD event in Winton – so you know spending ANZAC Day here will inject plenty of larrikin into proceedings. Along with the dawn service and march, highlights include breakfast at the local RSL; the Aussier-than-anything Waltzing Matilda Centre; an impromptu singalong with the pianola at the North Gregory Hotel, where the song itself was first played; and finally ’40s-era big bands will swing Winton’s Shire Hall so you can party like it’s 1945.

5. Albany, WA

The birthplace of the dawn service, and the last sight of Australia many soldiers had as they set off for war, Albany has a full and fascinating plan to commemorate ANZAC Day this year. More is happening than can be listed here, but events include parades, a ‘gunfire breakfast’, music and poetry tributes, concerts, screenings, re-enactments, storytelling, yacht races, a football match and race day on top of all that. The town square will be transformed into a 1915 time capsule over the ANZAC weekend, and of course all of Albany’s sights such as the National ANZAC Centre, Pier of Remembrance, Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum and Forts Museum make a trip here absolutely worthwhile. See Anzac Albany

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8 Red Centre locations to explore after seeing the new movie, Kangaroo

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    Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

    In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo, the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

    “By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

    still from kangarro film
    See Kangaroo, then visit the real-life filming locations.

    And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

    “There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

    If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

    1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

    artist at Many Hands Art Centre
    Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

    The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre, Yubu Napa Art Gallery, Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

    2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

    The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move
    Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

    Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

    “The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

    To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

    3. Ormiston Gorge

    woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs
    Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

    The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

    Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

    Ormiston Gorge, a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

    4. Standley Chasm

    woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs
    Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

    The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

    Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

    5. Simpsons Gap

    three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs
    Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

    Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

    Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

    6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

    aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs
    Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

    When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata: tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

    Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

    “It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

    7. Larapinta Drive

    aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs
    Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

    There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

    Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

    8. Todd River

    competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs
    Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

    Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

    When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

    See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.