Anzac Day Services Gallipoli, Turkey - 2008
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Anzac Day Commemorations 2008
Attending more than one service on Anzac Day
Site Information
Ensuring your well being at the Commemorations
Traffic and crowd management
Special Needs Assistance
Security arrangements
Emergency contact details
Further information
Orders of Service
Information booklet
The following information has been prepared to assist visitors planning to attend the Anzac Day services at Gallipoli. We are sure that your visit to the Gallipoli Peninsula will be a memorable one. However, it is important for visitors to understand that limited facilities are available at the commemorative sites. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/anzac_day.html
The organisation of the Australian and New Zealand Anzac Day services has only been possible with the assistance of the Australian and New Zealand Embassies in Turkey, and through the considerable cooperation of the Government of the Republic of Turkey.
This website will be updated if current information changes. Due to changes that occur in the international travel environment, potential travellers to Turkey should refer to the latest travel advice at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smart Traveller website http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Turkey
Map of the Gallipoli Peninsula Peace Park, Turkey, indicating the Anzac area. Click on the area within the orange boundary for a more detailed view of the Anzac area. |
ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATIONS 2008
Anzac Day services on the Gallipoli Peninsula are conducted by Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and France. Services are held on 24 and 25 April.
Planned times below for the commemorative services are:
Thursday 24 April 2008
09:00-10:40 Turkish International Service, Mehmetçik Abide
11:00-11:25 French Memorial Service, Morto Bay
11:45-12:10 Commonwealth Memorial Service, Cape Helles
Friday 25 April 2008
05:30-06:15 Dawn Service, Anzac Commemorative Site, North Beach
10:00-10:45 Australian Memorial Service, Lone Pine
11:15-12:00 Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial Service, Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial
12:30-13:15 New Zealand Memorial Service, Chunuk Bair
ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE SERVICE ON ANZAC DAY
All the commemorative services are open to the public. However, due to the walking distances between the commemorative sites, it is generally not possible to attend all services on 25 April. Those attending the Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site can go on to attend the Australian service at Lone Pine, the Turkish 57th Regiment service at the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial or the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.
Coach drop off to Dawn Service
The Coach drop off point to the Service is approximately 1 kilometre from the Anzac Commemorative site, and is an approx 15 minute walk.
Dawn Service to Lone Pine
After completion of the Dawn Service at approximately 6:15am, visitors are encouraged to walk along the coast and up to Lone Pine Cemetery for the 10.00am Australian Memorial Service. This 3.1 kilometre walk takes visitors past the Ari Burnu, Shrapnel Valley and Beach Cemeteries. Shortly after Beach Cemetery the route follows Artillery Road inland as it slopes uphill past Shell Green Cemetery to Lone Pine. The route is well sign posted.
Lone Pine to Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial
After the conclusion of the service at Lone Pine there is only limited time to walk from Lone Pine to the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial service, a distance of 1.2 kilometres. The Turkish service starts at 11.15am, approximately thirty minutes after the conclusion of the Lone Pine service. The walk between these two services is approximately thirty minutes.
Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair
The New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair commences at 12.30pm. The walking time between Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes. The route slopes uphill past the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial and is approximately 3.3 kilometres. As you walk to Chunuk Bair, please respect the fact that a Turkish service is in progress at the Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial.
After the Service.
Following the conclusion of the Chunuk Bair service at 1.15pm coaches will commence arriving at Lone Pine Cemetery and will then proceed to Chunuk Bair to collect visitors. The coach number you were allocated when you arrived will be called over the public address system. Visitors with a personal coach card number corresponding to the coach number called out on the public address system should make their way to the assembly point at Lone Pine/Chunuk Bair and prepare to board their coach in an orderly fashion. It may take several hours for all coaches to collect visitors. However, all coaches should be off the Peninsula between approximately 4-5pm. Please follow the directions of your tour guides or seek assistance from event staff (wearing lime yellow vests).
SITE INFORMATION
Seating
Temporary tiered seating is installed at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair for the Anzac Day services. Small Areas of reserved seating are set aside for the official party and people requiring special assistance. Seating is not reserved for tour groups. There are tiered seating and ground areas where groups and individuals may sit.
Toilets
Permanent toilets are available at the Kabatepe Museum but few other places in the Anzac area. Temporary chemical toilets and hand washing facilities are installed from 22 to 25 April inclusive at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Please note this water is not potable and should not be used as drinking water.
Water and Power
There is no running water and no power or lighting except that provided by generators for the services. Bottled water is available for purchase.
Refreshments
Local Turkish food and drink vendors sell limited quantities of their products within the Gallipoli Park. Rubbish disposal is provided and visitors are asked to dispose of rubbish thoughtfully or, where possible, take their rubbish with them.
The consumption of alcohol within the National Park is not permitted. Please do not bring alcohol to the commemorative sites as it will be confiscated on entry. The ban on alcohol is strictly enforced.
Lost Property
If you lose or find property during the commemorations, please take it to the information tent and notify event staff. Following the commemorations, enquiries can be directed to gallipoli@dva.gov.au. Property is not retained for longer that one month and is held in Turkey. Individuals will need to bear the cost of and arrange shipping for any lost property items being returned.
ENSURING YOUR WELL BEING AT THE COMMEMORATIONS
The Australian and New Zealand Embassies in Ankara and the Australian Consulate in Canakkale work closely with Turkish authorities who are responsible for security for the commemorations.
Security and crowd management measures include lighting, restrictions on entry points, individual searches and site security. Crowd control barriers are used as a means of directing public access and protecting the surrounding environment.
You should follow instructions issued by Turkish security personnel and allow sufficient time to travel to commemorative sites and to pass through the various security checkpoints.
On passing the security checkpoint, all visitors will be given a security wristband. This wristband must be worn on the wrist until you leave the Gallipoli Historical National park at the conclusion of the services.
Security measures may be in place several days in advance of the services. Certain areas of the Anzac Commemorative Site, including the beach and VIP area, will not be accessible to the public.
The following items are PROHIBITED in the commemorative areas:
- large backpacks
- camping equipment
- alcohol
- flammable liquids
- weapons or sharp objects (eg penknives and scissors)
Intoxicated persons will be denied entry.
Visitors are reminded of the very strict Turkish penalties for the possession of drugs.
Visitors are asked not to stand or sit on the road through the Anzac Commemorative Site or other fenced movement corridors so that these areas can be used effectively to allow people to access food vendors and toilet facilities, and as a movement corridor through the site and for emergency access.
Public announcements, including messages on the large screens, will provide instructions in the event of an incident.
Visitors to the commemoratives sites on the Peninsula should be aware that only limited facilities are available. Large crowds, limited public utilities, traffic and security arrangements can result in waiting periods. Visitors should expect to walk several kilometres throughout the day. A small day pack may be useful to carry extra clothing and drinking water.
The commemorative sites are very exposed to the elements and can be extremely cold in the pre dawn hours.
However, during the day it can be warm and sunny. Those attending the services generally arrive at the Anzac Commemorative Site a number of hours before the commencement of the Dawn Service. Visitors will be seated or be standing on the grassed area of the Anzac Commemorative Site, and Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair sites.
While safety lighting is installed at the Anzac Commemorative Site for the evening of 24 April 2008 and for the Dawn Service, visitors may wish to bring torches.
Weather
During April, the Gallipoli Peninsula can experience extremely cold temperatures at night, but may be warm during the day. There is no shelter available at the commemorative sites, and generally no access to coaches during the commemorations. Coaches may be parked some considerable distance from the site (up to 5 kilometres). Visitors should ensure that they are appropriately equipped for cold, wet, and windy weather, and that they take appropriate clothing with them when they disembark from their coach on arrival.
Visitors should expect to walk several kilometres throughout the day. A small day pack may be useful to carry extra clothing, hat and sunscreen and drinking water for the day.
The lighting of fires in the National Park is prohibited.
First Aid
First aid facilities will be provided from 3pm on 24 April and during the day of 25 April.
TRAFFIC AND CROWD MANAGEMENT
Management of traffic at the commemorations is the sole responsibility of the Turkish Jandarma. The number of large vehicles on narrow roads with limited turning facilities restricts movement and means that traffic control s are strictly enforced. Travel by passenger car to the services is not permitted. Those attending Anzac Day services on the Peninsula should note these limitations and expected delays and plan their visit accordingly.
Coaches will not be permitted to travel through the Anzac Commemorative Site from the afternoon of 24 April 2008. Coaches are stopped xx kilometres from the site and visitors will be required to walk from the drop off point to the Anzac Commemorative Site, total approximately 1.5 kilometres to the Security Screening point and on to the Anzac Commemorative Site (total approximately 1.5 kilometres.
Coaches are not able to pick up passengers until after the conclusion of the Chunuk Bair service – approximately 1.15 pm.
Further information about traffic arrangements will be provided by the announcer on site.
SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANCE
Limited special needs assistance will be available for people who are unable to walk from the coach drop off point to the screening pint and on to Anzac Commemorative Site and between commemorative sites. People requiring special needs assistance can obtain further information from the Department of Veterans' Affairs by e-mailing gallipoli@dva.gov.au, or telephoning (+61 2) 6289 4857. You can also write to:
Director
Gallipoli Projects Section
PO Box 21
WODEN ACT 2606
You should do this well ahead of Anzac Day.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
For the latest travel advice on Turkey, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smartraveller website www.smartraveller.gov.au or phone 1300 139 281. Australian visitors are encouraged to subscribe to the travel advice for Turkey so they receive free instant email notification each time the travel advice is updated and to register with the Australian Embassy in Ankara or online at http://www.orao.dfat.gov.au. The registration information provided by you will help DFAT to find you in the event of an emergency.
Please see information about general travel advice including medical insurance and personal security.
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
In Turkey, the nationwide 24 hour hotline number is 155. Foreigners may also contact the Tourist Police in Istanbul on 0212 527 4503 during office hours.
In Turkey, you can obtain consular assistance from:
Australian Embassy |
Australian Consulate-General |
Australian Consulate |
FURTHER INFORMATION
Information on the cemeteries located on the peninsula can be found on www.anzacsite.gov.au/2visiting/walk_intro.html and www.cwgc.org.
Information can also be obtained by emailing wargraves@dva.gov.au.
The Anzac area is a former battlefield site and on occasion bone fragments remains may be found. Guidance for visitors on what to do in this event is available on the website discovery of remains in the Gallipoli battlefield(pdf 1.08Mb). Further enquiries about Anzac Day Commemorations can be obtained by emailing Gallipoli@dva.gov.au
Australian War Memorial Gallipoli and Western Front Battlefield Tours
13 April – 12 May 2008
The Australian War Memorial conducts tours to Gallipoli and the Western Front, led by Australian War Memorial curators and historians. The Gallipoli tour attends the Anzac Day services and visits major battlefields where Australians and their allies and enemies fought and died. For information please visit the AWM website: http://www.awm.gov.au/services/battletour/index.htm
