Anzac Day 2024: Thousands of patriotic Aussies gather for dawn services as pubs prepare to open early for two-up

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Thousands of Australians have turned out to pay their respects at Anzac Day dawn services across the country.

Large crowds gathered outside war memorials across major Australian cities early on Thursday to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served and died for their countries.

Similar emotional services were seen in New Zealand on Thursday.

Meanwhile, some pubs are opening early for keen revellers hoping to win some cash through the popular two-up game.

Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage of Anzac Day here. 

Thousands gather in Sydney CBD for Anzac Day march through the city

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans service in Canberra attended by former Labor leader Kim Beazley

A service to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who served in Australia’s Defence Force has been held in Canberra and attended by former Labor leader and Australian War Memorial chair Kim Beazley.

The service was hosted by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association (ATSIVSA) at the ‘For Our Country’ pavilion.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: NORFORCE soldier from the Arnhem Squadron, Private Mali Djarrbal poses for photographs after the ATSIVSA ceremony at "For Our Country" Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial after the Dawn Service was held at the Australian War Memorial on April 25, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Former politician Kim Beazley at the ATSIVSA ceremony at "For Our Country" Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial after the Dawn Service was held at the Australian War Memorial on April 25, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Anthony Albanese delivers a moving speech for Anzac Day from the Kokoda Track

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is commemorating Anzac Day by walking part of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.

He attended a dawn service at the Isurava memorial following a two-day 16km hike along the trail.

He was joined by PNG Prime Minister James Marape and a crowd of 400 people at the service on Thursday morning.

The Isurava memorial is the site where Australian and Papuan forces fought desperately against Japanese soldiers in August 1942.

‘We are gathered in a place that has known the most pitiless ferocity of battle, fought with bullet, bayonet, mortar, and the desperation of bare hands,’ Mr Albanese said.

‘It is also a place that has seen the unadorned strength of the Australian spirit.’

Mr Albanese also thanked the people of PNG for coming to the aid of Australian soldiers.

‘We thank every one of them who helped Australians in the face of retribution and sometimes unfathomable cruelty,’ he said.

‘The troops, the coast watchers and the shipping pilots.

‘The villagers who risked their own lives to feed and guide and shelter Australians in desperate need. The stretcher bearers whose courage was matched only by their kindness.

‘To the people of PNG, I offer Australia’s promise: We will never forget.’

Australians pay their respects during dawn service at Sydney’s Coogee Beach

Anzac Day commemorations seen on the Gold Coast

Thousands arrived at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast on Anzac Day to honour those who served their country.

epa11298808 A veteran (L) attends Anzac Day Dawn Service at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Australia, 25 April 2024. Thousands of Australians will gather to commemorate the contribution of Australian defence personnel in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations at Anzac Day services across the country. Anzac Day is observed on 25 April annually.  EPA/JONO SEARLE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
A veteran salutes during Anzac Day Dawn Service at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING
People attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING
epa11298803 People attend Anzac Day Dawn Service at Elephant Rock in Currumbin on the Gold Coast, Australia, 25 April 2024. Thousands of Australians will gather to commemorate the contribution of Australian defence personnel in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations at Anzac Day services across the country. Anzac Day is observed on 25 April annually.  EPA/JONO SEARLE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and NSW Premier Chris Minns pay their respects

Thousands pay their respects at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand

Moving scenes at the dawn service outside the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

Melburnians braved the darkness and brisk weather to mark the 109th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in World War I and honour those who have served in other conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

More than 40,000 people filled the area around the war memorial, which was lit up in red before dawn.

Premier Jacinta Allan, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner were amongst the official party.

Master of ceremonies Justin Smith paid particular tribute to Australian peacekeepers, who had ‘little recognition’.

‘Many times against their training, our peacekeepers could not fight back and this brought its own trauma, as they witnessed human beings at their worst,’ he said.

‘Their enemies weren’t always clear, and their allies weren’t always reliable.’

Mr Smith also remembered the boy soldiers, as young as 14, who lied about their ages to join Australia’s war effort and ended up in Gallipolli.

This is the first year veterans of peacekeeping operations will lead Melbourne’s Anzac Day march.

More than 10,000 are expected to take part, similar to last year.

– Australian Associated Press

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Crowds are seen walking up the steps to the Shrine of Rememberence during the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Melbourne, Thursday, April 25, 2024. (AAP Image/Con Chronis) NO ARCHIVING

What’s open this Anzac Day?

Major supermarket retailers like Coles, Woolworths and Aldi will be open on Anzac Day but opening hours vary.

Coles and Woolworths will mostly be open from 1pm, as well Westfield shopping centres.

How to play two-up this Anzac Day

Two-up was played by Australian soldiers during the First World War, and has since become an Anzac Day tradition.

The game is illegal in venues across most of the country on most days except Anzac Day – which falls on 25 April each year – but the exact rules depend on the state or territory you are in.

Generally, a match manager known as a ‘ringkeeper’ or ‘ringie’ will select a person to be the ‘spinner’.

The spinner will stand in the ring, which is a designated circle in the venue in which only the spinner is allowed.The spinner will place two pennies on a wooden bat, known as a ‘kip’.

Someone will yell ‘come in spinner’ and on that cue, the spinner will toss both pennies up in the air.

They must land within the boundaries of the ring.

Before the coins are tossed, the spinner or other punters will select an amount of money to bet on and find someone in the crowd to match their bet, with one betting on both coins landing heads up, and the other betting on both coins landing tails up.

The spinner will continue to toss the pennies until both land either tails up or heads up.

The ringie will call the result.

The ringie’s decision is final and the winner takes all.

Australians turn out to pay their respects at Anzac Day dawn services across the country

Thousands of Australians have set their alarms early to attend dawn services on this year’s Anzac Day.

Emotional scenes were seen across the country early on Thursday as services were held outside war memorials in major cities.

Australian Governor-General David Hurley lay a wreath at a service outside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, while state premiers also attended services before sunrise.

Anthony Albanese delivered a moving speech from the the dawn service at the Isurava memorial along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea on Thursday.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Pre-dawn readings commence before the Dawn Service is held at the Australian War Memorial on April 25, 2024 in Canberra, Australia. Anzac Day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
Australian Governor-General David Hurley lays a wreath during the dawn service on Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Thousands of Australians will gather to commemorate the contribution of Australian defence personnel at Anzac Day services across the country. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos, APRIL 25, 2024. The dawn service on ANZAC day at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.  Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 25: People lay poppies on the cenotaph during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Auckland Museum on April 25, 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand. Anzac day is a national holiday in New Zealand, marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images for Auckland War Memorial Museum)
Key Updates

  • Thousands gather in Sydney CBD for Anzac Day march through the city

  • Anthony Albanese delivers a moving speech for Anzac Day from the Kokoda Track

  • What’s open this Anzac Day?

  • Australians turn out to pay their respects at Anzac Day dawn services across the country

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