Things To Do with Kids On ANZAC Day In Sydney

Pay your respects and explore Australia’s history at any of these family-friendly events in Sydney. Aside from the major events in the city on Wednesday 25 April, there will be some events in the week leading up to the 25th as well as the week that follows. So tick off all these things to do with kids on ANZAC Day in Sydney!

1. The ANZAC Day Challenge

When: Sunday 29 April 2018
Where: From Manly Dam Memorial; 6.45am start
Cost: Donations are welcome
More info here. 
Staged on stunning trails across two National Parks within northern Sydney- the Ku-ring-gai and Garigal National Parks, do something extra special and raise money for soldiers dealing with PTSD. The 40km event known as The NEK 40 Challenge and is a point to point race which will begin at the Manly Dam Memorial at 6.45am and finish at the event hub at St Ives Showground, with an 8-hour time limit.
The 25km event known as the Hill 60 Challenge will be the same as 2016 starting and finishing at St Ives Showground, and taking runners on a spectacular and scenic course down to Bobbin Head and back. This event will have a 6 hour 30 minute cut off.

They have also introduced an 11km event known as The Lone Pine Challenge, which will see runners venture into the St Ives Wildflower Gardens completing 2 laps of the main trails through the gardens before returning to the event hub at St Ives Showground.

2. ANZAC Day March

When: Wednesday 25 April 2018, 9am to 1pm
Where: Elizabeth St & Martin Place Sydney 
More Info Here
The ANZAC Day March in Sydney involves approximately 20,000 war veterans, current servicemen and women, police and relatives proudly displaying war medals on crisp uniforms through the city’s CBD. Thousands line the footpaths between Sydney’s Martin Place and Hyde Park to salute our nation’s diggers. 2017 marks 101 years since the first commemoration of ANZAC in Sydney. 

3. ANZAC Day Dawn Service

When: Wednesday 25 April 2018, from 4.15am to 6am
Where: Cenotaph, Martin Place, Sydney
Cost: FREE
More Info Here
Start the day early (transport services will begin early) and head to Martin Place at the same time that the first Australians waded ashore at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. The dawn service includes a catafalque contingent, an Ode of Remembrance, Last Post bugle call, a minute’s silence, a Reveille played on a bugle and the laying of wreaths. The sunset ceremony will start at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, at 5.00pm.

4. Coogee Beach ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Where: Coogee Beach

When: Wednesday 25 April 2018, commencing 5am

Cost: Free

Join the Coogee Randwick Clovelly RSL Sub-branch for a special ANZAC Dawn Service at beautiful Coogee Beach. commemoration, marking 100 years since our involvement in the First World War. The last two years have seen over 20,000 people gathered at Coogee Beach in pre-dawn darkness to honour the service and sacrifice of our original ANZACs, and the generations of Australian servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms. The Coogee Beach Dawn Service includes a catafalque contingent, an Ode of Remembrance, Last Post bugle call, a minute's silence, a Reveille played on a bugle, wreath laying and speeches.

5. Dee Why Beach ANZAC Dawn Service

Where: Ted Jackson Reserve, The Strand, Dee Why Beach
When: Wednesday 25th April 2018; arrive 5.15 am for a 5.30am start
Cost: FREE
More Info Here 
More than 12,000 Northern Beaches residents are paying their respects. Veterans will share their experiences and ‘The Voice’ semi-finalist, Aaliyah Warren will graciously sing the Australian and New Zealand national anthems - New Zealand sung in both native tongue and English.

6. Visit the Garden of Remembrance

When: Anytime
Where: Albert Avenue, Chatswood
Cost: FREE
The Garden of Remembrance was established in 1949 to commemorate the Willoughby residents who sacrificed their lives in the Boer War, World War I & II, Korea, Malaya and Vietnam. You can attend their dawn service at 5.25am near the cross of remembrance. But it’s exquisite to see it during the day. Every flower and feature stands for something, like the special roses of Picardy which were imported from Villiers-Brettonneux and Delville-Wood war cemeteries in Somme, France. It’s a park bursting with history and is a great way to access and explore the past.

7. Rugby League

Head to Allianz Stadium for the classic ANZAC Day clash between the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons. Kick-off at 4.10pm.

 

8. Do At Home: Crafts and Cooking!

• ANZAC Biscuits are a tradition on ANZAC Day and a treat for the kids. Click HERE to read about the history of the ANZAC Biscuit including a traditional recipe.
• For rainy day ANZAC Day craft ideas click HERE.
• You can find Remembrance Day Memorabilia HERE and donate to the ANZAC Appeal HERE.
• To learn more about the ANZAC Day Centenary Memorial March and history of the day, visit this website.

 

Lest we forget.