Anzac Day commemorations are an important day in the Newcastle region with many attending the Newcastle Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach as well as other Anzac celebrations. Anzac Day is a day to remember the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915.
More than a hundred years later, we still remember the service of the Anzacs. To commemorate this event, here are details about events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter on Friday 25 April 2025.
If you can’t make it to an event, Newy with Kids has put together a guide to commemorate Anzac Day with your family with a variety of activities to remember the sacrifice made. These include reading kids books about Anzac Day, baking Anzac biscuits, visiting Gallipoli virtually and visiting a local Anzac memorial.
Anzac Day Dawn Service at Nobbys Beach
The Dawn Service at Camp Shortland at Newcastle Foreshore on Friday 25 April 2025 will begin at 5am and will include a band, choir, bugler and bagpiper. The service will conclude at approximately 6am 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.
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.
Large outdoor screens on Camp Shortland and Shortland Lawn will provide coverage of the Dawn Service. (You can also watch the live stream of the event online or on NBN Television from 5am).
To get to Nobbys either walk, do park and ride or take public transport – additional buses, light rail, ferries, and trains will run from 3.30am. For information and to plan your trip visit newcastletransport.info or call 131500. There will be free travel on public transport for veterans and their families on Anzac Day.
Tips on attending Nobbys Dawn Service
In the past, Newy with Kids readers have provided tips on attending the Nobbys Dawn Service with kids as well as suggesting other alternatives. These include:
- Go early to get a park and stay cosy. Take beanies and a thermos of hot chocolate.
- Put back bedtime routine the night before at least an hour. It’s the best way to not have to deal with super crankiness at a 4am wakeup. And agreed, get there as early as you can manage. Kids are already confused by the sleep disturbance and heading out in the cold and dark, so make sure you’re settled by the time the ceremony starts.
- We put a long sleeve shirt and socks on our child for bed that night too, so all that’s needed is undies and pants in the morning. Shoes in the car for when he is more awake, along with a small snack!
- Park at Honeysuckle and allow enough time to walk/scooter/take public transport to Nobbys. We’ll be going to the Gregson Park Dawn Service in Hamilton. There is a lovely ceremony with schools involved and it’s not so crowded so a bit better suited for little ones.
- I haven’t taken my girls to the Dawn Service before, but found the march along King Street interesting and exciting for little ones.
- Go to a local Dawn Service instead or the 9am service in Civic Park instead as unless you are there at 4am you won’t be able to see or hear anything.
Anzac Day March – Hunter Street
Anzac Day March will be held on Friday 25 April 2025 from 9:15am – 10am starting from Perkins Street marching along King Street and finishing in Civic Park. 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.
Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day
Fort Scratchley will be open on Anzac Day from 12pm to 4pm for firing of the guns and tours. Firing of the guns is set at 1pm and 3pm. A four-gun Salute to the Fallen by the Mark 7 Guns at Fort Scratchley will be conducted at the conclusion of the Dawn Service at approximately 6am. This represents the Navy, Army, Air Force and ANZAC.
Hamilton Anzac Day Service
There is also the Anzac Day Service in Gregson Park in Hamilton at 6am. Following the Dawn Service, breakfast will be available in the grounds of nearby Hamilton Public School. The Hamilton Public School P& C Association will be hosting a breakfast following the Service in the school grounds (gold coin donation) – community welcome.
Other Anzac Day Events in Newcastle
In Newcastle, there are a number of Anzac Day services and marches in addition to the larger events at Nobbys and Hamilton
Adamstown: Service will be held at the World War 1 Memorial, 282 Brunker Road Adamstown commencing at 8.30am. There will be no march this year.
Bar Beach: There will be a service at Cooks Hill Surf Club. Assemble at the surf club at 7.15am to walk up behind the flag party to the memorial for the service commencing at 7.30am. This is a community service and community members are encouraged to walk up to the memorial from the surf club behind the flag party as a club and community.
Beresfield: Dawn service will be starting at 5.30am, at the Community Memorial Cenotaph, corners of Allendale Street and Anderson Drive, Beresfield.
Hamilton: Service will be held at Gregson Park War Memorial, Corner Tudor and Steel Streets Hamilton commencing at 6.00am. The Hamilton Public School P& C Association will be hosting a breakfast following the Service in the school grounds (gold coin donation) – community welcome.
Merewether: Dawn service will be held at the Mitchell Park Memorial Gates in Mitchell Street at 7am. Service will conclude at approximately 8.00am. All community members are invited.
Stockton: Dawn Service from 5:30am. Prior to the Dawn Service, there will be a march by veterans and attending service personnel from the front of Club Stockton to the Cenotaph where the Memorial Dawn Service shall be held. Main march and service from 8:30am.
Wallsend: A March will begin outside of Wallsend Diggers at 5am, travelling along the route of Tyrrell St, Nelson St, Boscawen St, Federal Park Cenotaph. Following the March, a Dawn Service will be held at Federal Park, Wallsend.
Anzac Day Events in Lake Macquarie
In Lake Macquarie, there are a number of Anzac Day services and marches.
Belmont: March will start at 9.45am from High Street and will proceed along Pacific Highway to the monument in Cullen Park. The official service will start at 10am in Cullen Park.
Cardiff: There will be march at 5:00am from cnr Main Rd & Macquarie Rd, Cardiff, to the memorial. After the service breakfast will be available at the Cardiff RSL Club from 6:00am to 8:00am at $10 per person. Breakfast tickets will be on sale at Cardiff RSL Clubs’ reception desk from Monday 24 March 2025.
Catherine Hill Bay – Dawn Service at 6am at Cenotaph.
Charlestown – Service will start at 11am at Charlestown Lions Park and Cenotaph. There will be a short march for children within the park.
Dora Creek: Dawn Service will be held at Neville Thompson Oval at 6am. A traditional Gunfire Breakfast at Dora Creek Workers Club following the Service at 6:45am. A march at 9am will follow with the main service at Neville Thompson Oval at 9:40am.
Dudley: A march will step off at 5.45am from Banfield Lane near the water tower, followed by a service at Dudley War Memorial.
Pelican: A march will form up on Piriwal Street near Bato Street at 5.50am, followed by a 6am service at Pelican RSL Memorial Park.
Rathmines: A march will step off at 12.45pm from Rathmines Bowling Club, followed by a service at Catalina War Memorial. Flypast is planned for 13:00.
Speers Point: March commences at 6am near the rotunda at Speers Point Park followed by Dawn Service.
Swansea: Dawn Service will commence at 6am at Swansea RSL. A march will then step off at 11am from Pacific Highway Swansea Roundabout Northbound (near McDonald’s)s, followed by a secondary service at Swansea RSL.
Toronto: Dawn Service will commence at 6am at Goffet Park. A march will step off at 10.50am from The Boulevarde in front of The Diggers Club, followed by a service at 11am at Goffet Park.
Valentine: A march will step off at 10am at Allambee Park, Valentine followed by a service.
Wangi Wangi: A dawn service will start at the Cenotaph at Wangi Wangi RSL at 5:30am followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at 6:30am. A march will form at 9:30am on Kent Place, with vehicles procession will start along Puna Road and Dobell Drive at 10am followed by the march participants. A flyover will take place at 10am also and then the main service will follow at approximately 10:30am at the Cenotaph at Wangi RSL on Watkins Road.
West Wallsend: A march will step off at 9.45am on the corner of Withers and Carrington Streets, followed by a service at West Wallsend Workers Club.
Anzac Day Events in Maitland & the Hunter Valley
Abermain – 8:30am March from the corner of Bathurst Street and Cessnock Road to the Jeffries Park Cenotaph for the Service.
Branxton: 0530 Dawn Service at Branxton Rotunda, located John Rose Ave. Branxton. March at 11:!5am followed by Main service at 11:30am at Branxton Rotunda, Branxton.
Broke – Dawn Service at 5:45am at Broke War Memorial, Broke Street. Morning service at 10am at Broke War Memorial.
Cessnock: Dawn Service at 5:45am at Cenotaph at TAFE. Gunfire Breakfast at Cessnock Leagues Club. (Breakfast is a ticketed event). March at 11am along Vincent Street to Cooper Street to TAFE Park Cenotaph. Main service at 11:35am at Cenotaph and Memorial TAFE Park Cessnock. Additional Post WW2 Service commencing at 9.30am at Veterans Memorial Park Aberdare
Denman: Dawn Service at 6am at Memorial Park Paxton Street Denman Road. Breakfast after Service in RSL Club (for a small fee). March at 11:50am and Main Service at 12:15pm in Denman Memorial Park.
Dungog – The Dawn Service commences at 5.30 am, followed by a “Gunfire Breakfast” in the RSL Club. March at 10:30am from opposite the PO in Dowling Street to Cenotaph. Main service at 10:45am.
East Maitland – Dawn Service March at 5:20am. Service will begin at 5.30am at Cenotaph. Dawn Service breakfast at East Maitland Bowling Club commencing at 6.30am. This is a ticketed event. Coffee, biscuits and ‘Gold Coin’ donation sausage sizzle breakfast being put on by Rotary East Maitland after the Dawn Service.
Breakfast also being provided by the Sikh Sangat Charitable Association Newcastle Inc who’ve as part of the collaboration with Sikh Volunteers Australia. At least 19 Sikhs enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) & the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in WWI. This breakfast will be after the Dawn Service, on William Street for veterans & the public not attending the ticketed breakfast.
Main service at 9:30am at Cenotaph. Main March starts at 9.15am. Turn left out onto New England Highway, march continues along New England Highway for approx. 600 metres, turn right onto William Street to the Cenotaph. Parade breaks off & everyone is to be seated, service will commence at 9.30am
Greta: Dawn Service at 5:30am at Greta Cenotaph. Free Gunfire Breakfast after Service in Old Greta Courthouse. March followed by main service starting at 9:30am to cenotaph for the main service at 10am.
Kearsley: At 5:15am, form up at Kearsley Tennis Courts and march to the Kearsley Remembrance Garden for a 5:30am service to commemorate the service and sacrifice of personnel from the villages of Kearsley, Abernethy and Elrington. A BBQ breakfast will follow in the grounds of Kearsley Community Hall.
Kurri Kurri: Dawn Service at 5am at Rotary Park Cenotaph. March followed by main service starting at 10am at Cenotaph.
Maitland: Dawn Service will commence at approximately 5.30am at the World War 1 Cenotaph in Maitland Park. The Day Anzac Day Service will commence at 10:30am in Maitland Park.
Morpeth – March commences at 10.45am along Swan Street with a service at Morpeth Cenotaph at 11.00am. (TO BE CONFIRMED FOR 2025)
Muswellbrook: Dawn Service at 5:30am at Muswellbrook Cenotaph corner of Market St & New England Highway Muswellbrook. March at 10am and main service at 10:40am.
Neath – Lighting of the Miner’s Lamp at Neath Hotel, Cessnock Road, Neath from 11:30am
Paxton – Gather at 5:25am at the corner of McDonald and Anderson Avenues, Paxton and march to Paxton Public School for the service.
Pokolbin – 7am Service at Memorial Gates, 126 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin
Scone – Dawn Service at War Memorial Scone Swimming Pool: 5:30am for 6:00am
Commemoration Service at War Memorial – Scone Swimming Pool: Assemble at 10:30am, Call to order for service at 11:00am. March along Guernsey Street to Scone RSL Club following conclusion of service. (TO BE CONFIRMED FOR 2025)
Singleton – Dawn Service at 5:30am at Burdekin Park. March at 10:15am starts from Ryan Avenue to Burdekin Park. Main Service at 11am. Limited seating is available.
Weston – Dawn Service at Weston Cenotaph, 56 Cessnock Rd at 5:30am.
Visit Morpeth Museum before during or after ANZAC Day for this very special ANZAC exhibition which runs from 13 April to 29 June 2025. With new displays, this years theme is Poppies: a Symbol of Remembrance. Read the stories of local WWI heroes like Craddick, Peacock and Maynard and view the records of all the names that appear on the Cenotaph outside the Museum.
Anzac Day Events in Port Stephens
East Seaham: ANZAC March: 8:50am to 9am, East Seaham Road to Newline Road. The Main Service will be conducted at the “Knitting Circle” Memorial on Newline Road, East Seaham. The Service will start at 09:00am and run for approximately 30 minutes.
Karuah: ANZAC March: 5:50am, Malcolm Road to Tarean Road Memorial Park. Dawn Service: 6am to 6:40am, Memorial Park.
Medowie: Dawn service at Lions Memorial Park at 6am. 5:30am-6:00am March beings at Bull N Bush and proceeds down Ferodale Road to the Medowie Social
Nelson Bay: Dawn service to be held in Apex Park at 5:30am. Followed by breakfast at Wests Diggers Club 0630 to 0800hrs. Uniformed Personnel complimentary all others $10 per head. March at 10:15am from Bowling Club to Apex Park via Stockton Street. Main Service to commence at 10.45am in Apex Park. Luncheon from 12pm at West Diggers.
Raymond Terrace: Dawn March: 5:50am – 5:55am along Jacaranda Avenue to ANZAC Park followed by Dawn Service: 5:55am to 6:30am in ANZAC Park. Main March: 10:30am – 10:50am March from Sturgeon Street to ANZAC Park. Main Service: 10:55am -11:45am at ANZAC Park
Tanilba Bay: Dawn Service at 5:45am at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club. ANZAC March: 9:30am – Poilus Pde via Lemon Tree Passage Rd to Reliance Blvd Tanilba Bay onto the cenotaph at the Sports Club. Main Service at 10am at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club.
In addition to the services above on 25 April, there is also a free ANZAC Memorial Exhibition at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre, which showcases fascinating war-time memorabilia and honours local heroes from WWII.On display from 14 April to 9 May.
Other Anzac Day Activities
As well as attending an Anzac Day service or march, you can also commemorate the significance of the day in other ways. It’s not easy to explain Anzac Day to kids but here are some different options you can do with your family to remember the sacrifice of the Anzacs as we approach Anzac Day. You might also want to read to your kids about Anzac Day. Here’s a selection of children’s books about the Anzacs.
You can also go for a walk along the Newcastle Memorial Walk at Strzelecki Lookout. The walk features steel silhouettes of ANZAC soldiers engraved with 3,860 family names of almost 11,000 known Newcastle and Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I.