Anzac Day Melbourne starts with a dawn service at the St Kilda Road Shrine of Remembrance. In fact most towns in Victoria will be having a Dawn service at their respective memorials. Melbourne's Anzac dawn service is attended by up to 100,000 people honouring those that fell in the war in Gallipoli over 100 years ago. In recent years record crowd have attended this service with no regard to weather. Even if it rains the crowd still pays it respect in great numbers.
Later in the morning the Anzac Day Parade takes place with great numbers lining the streets to pay respect. It's a great time to be in Melbourne and if attending both official Anzac events then many venues will be open for breakfast to feed the large numbers of people in the City. And afterwards it might be time for some lunch or a quenching drink to digest all the emotions.
Many great sporting events are on Anzac Day with the traditional game of "two up" played out at the Flemington Races. And at the MCG the traditional Collingwood vs Essendon football game will take place.
Two Up is a gambling game with traditions to the Aussie Diggers. It is only legally played on Anzac Day. Many venues will have a "two up" ring! Enjoy your Anzac Day in Melbourne!
ANZAC Day Events in Melbourne for 2025
Here is some ideas of things to do in Melbourne over the ANZAC Day long weekend.
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Temperance Hotel
South Yarra | 03 9827 7401ANZAC Eve & ANZAC Day
Head to the Temperance on Melbourne's Iconic Chapel Street for the ANZAC Eve Party. Featuring a great line up of LIVE music and DJs from 6pm. Plus Happy Hour specials. Also open ANZAC Day from 12pm with the LIVE music from 4pm.Open 12pm till Late on both days
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Amora Hotel Riverwalk
Richmond | 03 9246 1200ANZAC Day Accommodation
This ANZAC Day why not stay overnight at the Amora Riverwalk right on the Yarra River and only a short tram ride into the city along Bridge Rd. Perfect if you're attending the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, going to the March or catching the ANZAC Day match at the 'G. Great food and service for families as well.
Accommodation & Dining
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Young & Jackson
Melbourne | 03 9650 3884Anzac Day
This Anzac Day after attending the Dawn Service head into Young & Jackson for a Hot Breakfast. With 2 up from 10am in Chloe's followed by the Footy Live & Loud in the afternoon.
Open for Hot Breakfast from 7am
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Yarra Botanica
Southbank | 03 8840 4824ANZAC Day Brunch
Head into Yarra Botanica early on ANZAC Day for a delicious brunch. You'll be treated to a tasty brunch menu and mimosa specials. Their full menu will be available from 11am.
Brunch & Mimosas from 9am
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Hotel Esplanade
St Kilda | 03 9534 0211ANZAC Day Footy
Catch the Big ANZAC Day Clash LIVE & Loud at the Espy. All the ANZAC Day action between Collingwood & Essendon on the big screens. Plus stay on for a great pub feed and LIVE music after the match.
AFL Footy LIVE & LOUD
More ideas for ANZAC Day in Melbourne 2025
| LOCATION | BUSINESS | IDEA | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southbank | Yarra Botanica
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ANZAC Day Bruch | Yarra Botanica will open from 9am this ANZAC Day to offer a delicious brunch menu and tasty mimosa special. There full menu will be available from 11am. Book now for ANZAC Day. |
| Southbank | BearBrass
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Anzac Day Refreshments | Going to the footy? Take advantage of BearBrass' Water Taxi package with return water taxi tickets to and from the game, set menu and drink. Make a booking for Anzac Day |
| St Kilda | Hotel Esplanade
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ANZAC Day Footy | Head into the Espy this ANZAC Day for the ANZAC Day Footy at the 'G LIVE and Loud. Plus enjoy traditional pub food and LIVE music after the match. Book a table for ANZAC Day. |
| St Kilda | Village Belle Hotel
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ANZAC Day Footy and More | This ANZAC Day at the Village Belle enjoy cocktail specials, LIVE footy and LIVE music. Plus an All Day $15 BBQ Menu. Book your spot for ANZAC Day. |
| Melbourne | The Duke of Wellington
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ANZAC Day Breakfast | Head into the Duke for an ANZAC Day Breakfast. Open for walk-ins from 8am. Plus the big ANZAC Day football matches LIVE & LOUD. Also open for table bookings from 11am. Book a table for ANZAC Day. |
| Melbourne | Turf Sports Bar & Grill
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ANZAC Day Double Header | Enjoy the 2 big ANZAC Day sporting clashes on the big screens at Turf with Collingwood vs Essendon from the MCG in the afternoon followed by Melbourne Storm vs the NZ Warriors in the evening. ANZAC Day Sport LIVE & LOUD at Turf! |
ANZAC Day Melbourne Community Events 2025
| LOCATION | VENUE | EVENT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | Shrine of Remembrance
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Melbourne ANZAC Day Dawn Service | Plan to arrive early (around 5am) for this event as crowds can be quite large. It starts at 5.30am. A most revered event at the Melbourne Shrine and you can head into town for breakfast afterwards. |
| Melbourne | St Kilda Rd
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Melbourne ANZAC Day March | This annual event starts around 9am at the cnr Flinders and Swanston and head to the Shrine along St Kilda Rd. Veterans and some descendants. A very proud event that Melbourne loves! |
Get out and about this Anzac Day
Around Melbourne there are some great day trips to plan and to make with your loved ones and family or just friends. One awesome place to visit south of Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula. There is so much on offer with famed beaches, lots of parks and awesome towns like Sorrento, Portsea and Flinders to visit. And that doesn't even scratch the surface of the plethora of wineries and golf courses and other activities in this Morningon Peninsula region.
But this is about the context of Anzac Day so let's look at something relevant. And it doesn't take long to recall Melbourne's history in World War one down at Fort Nepean near Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula.
To get there just head down the Monash Freeway (named after the famed Australian Military Commander in WW1 and also super engineer Sir John Monash). Switch to the Eastern Fwy and then the Peninsula Link Fwy. At the end follow the signs to the Nepean Hwy and down to Portsea ... keep going and your there!
Entry to this Point Nepean National Park is free and you sort of self tour after getting the bus from the car park to Fort Nepean. Oh yea ... sorry the bus trip costs ... but well worth it!
Fort Nepean was the first point of defence for Port Philip Bay and Melbourne and burbs!
It was a strategic military outpost. And in fact has the history of firing the first shot in World War One when a Germany merchant ship tried to leave Port Phillip Bay after war was declared.
it's always best to stay more than one day on the Mornington Peninsula ... And you may want to also look at some options of places to stay on the Mornington Peninsula. Here are some ideas we have for you.
- Boardwalk Cottages in Mt Martha - super cottage accommodation.
More Big Days for Melbourne
Once the Anzac Day holiday has passed, May is not far away and it's time to plan for the next of Melbournes's Big Days being the Mothers Day. See all the details of ideas for the Mother's Day weekend in Melbourne and surrounds.