ANZAC Day 2027 Dawn Service at Gallipoli: How to Register and What to Expect Standing on the shores of Anzac Cove as the sun rises on 25 April
is something many Australians and New Zealanders hope to do at least once. For some it’s about honouring a great-grandfather who landed there in 1915. For others it’s about understanding a story they grew up with.
If ANZAC Day 2027 is the year you go, the most important thing to know is that you need a free attendance pass, and you have to register for it yourself. This guide covers how registration works, when it opens, and what the Dawn Service is really like, so you can arrive prepared.
When does Dawn Service registration open for 2027?
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) says online registration for ANZAC Day 2027 will open towards the end of 2026. For 2026, registration was announced on 3 December 2025, so expect a similar time this year.
A few things surprise first-time visitors:
The attendance pass is free. There is no charge to attend the services.
Every person needs their own pass, including children.
A tour company can’t register you. DVA is clear that booking a tour doesn’t replace your individual attendance pass. A good tour operator will remind you and help you through it, but you have to register yourself.
Accessibility needs must be registered in advance. This includes seating and access to the shuttles. Seats are limited and pre-registered people get priority.
Registration is done through the official ticketing site at commemorations.teg.com.au.
Bookmark it now.
How to register, step by step
Book your travel first, or at least lock in your dates. You’ll be in the Gallipoli area on 24 and 25 April, usually staying in Çanakkale or Eceabat.
Watch for the opening announcement from DVA (Australia) or the NZDF (New Zealand), expected around December 2026.
Register online at commemorations.teg.com.au and choose the services you’ll attend: the Dawn Service, plus either Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. You can’t attend both.
Register each traveller separately with the name shown on their passport.
Note any accessibility needs during registration so you can be considered for seating and shuttles.
Print your attendance pass and keep a copy on your phone. You’ll need it with photo ID on the night.
Register your trip with Smartraveller (Australians) or SafeTravel (New Zealanders). This is separate from the attendance pass.
What to expect on the night
Be ready for a long, cold night outdoors, with more than 14 hours at Gallipoli and up to 8km of walking on steep, uneven ground. Here’s how the 2026 commemorations ran. The 2027 times should be similar, and DVA will confirm them closer to the date.
24 April, 10:30pm: the Anzac Commemorative Site opens, with airport-style security screening
25 April, 1:30am: the pre-service program begins, with readings, music and documentaries
3:00am: last entry before roads close
5:00am: Spirit of Place
5:30am: Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site
10:00am: Lone Pine Australian Memorial Service (about a 3.2km uphill walk)
11:30am: Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial Service (about 3.3km further)
1:00pm: coaches start loading at Chunuk Bair / Hill 261
Most people find a spot on the grass in the evening and stay through the night. The pre-service program helps pass the hours, and the moment the crowd falls silent before dawn is unforgettable.
Security is strict. You’ll need your attendance pass and photo ID (passport, driver’s licence or national ID card). Bags must be cabin-bag size or smaller, liquids must be 100ml or less, and alcohol and smoking aren’t allowed. Prohibited items are confiscated and not returned. These include folding chairs, tents, drones, selfie sticks, glass, cans and large flags.
What to wear and bring
April on the Gallipoli Peninsula can swing from below freezing overnight (with wind chill) to hot by midday, and rain and strong winds are common. The sites are exposed, with no permanent shelter, so dress in layers.
Thermal base layers, a warm jacket, beanie and gloves
Waterproof jacket or poncho
Sturdy, worn-in walking shoes
A plastic sheet or groundsheet to sit on (the grass gets damp overnight)
Small torch
Snacks (there are only a few food vendors and no cooking facilities)
Prescription medication, pain relief and blister plasters
Fully charged phone and power bank (there’s no charging on site)
Hat and sunscreen for the walk to Lone Pine
Attendance pass and photo ID
A personal wreath, if you want to lay one. You’ll carry it all day, and public wreath laying happens after the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair services.
Drinking water and portable toilets are provided, but queues can be long.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to attend the Dawn Service? No. The attendance pass is free. You only pay for your travel, accommodation and transport.
Can my tour company register me? No. Each person must register for their own pass. Your tour operator should guide you through it, but it can’t be done for you.
Is there an age limit? No. DVA does advise very young or older travellers, and anyone with a medical condition, to check with their doctor first because of the cold, the walking and the long hours.
Can I attend both Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair? No. After the Dawn Service you choose one: Lone Pine (Australian) or Chunuk Bair (New Zealand).
Where do people stay? Most visitors stay in Çanakkale or Eceabat, on either side of the Dardanelles near the peninsula. Accommodation books out early for ANZAC Day, so secure it as soon as you can.
Is there mobile coverage? Yes, but there’s no power for charging, so bring a power bank.
Make the journey with Your Epic Journey
If you’d rather leave the logistics to someone else, our 11-day ANZAC Day 2027 Memorial Tour of Western Türkiye covers the Dawn Service along with Istanbul, Troy and Cappadocia at a comfortable pace.
Dawn Service at Gallipoli, plus a memorial service at Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair
4-star hotels, daily breakfast, 8 lunches and 4 dinners
Domestic flights, private transfers and English-speaking guides
Step-by-step help with your attendance pass registration
From AUD 4,900 per person (twin share, excluding international flights). Bookings close 15 March 2027.
View the full itinerary or contact us at info@yourepicjourney.travel or
on WhatsApp +61 491 171 900.
Lest We Forget.
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