What is Anzac Parade in Canberra?
Anzac Parade is Canberra's ceremonial boulevard, running from the Australian War Memorial to the shore of Lake Burley Griffin. It is lined with national memorials to Australians who served in war.
The parade was opened on Anzac Day 1965, the 50th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. It forms part of Walter Burley Griffin's land axis, which lines up the War Memorial, Old Parliament House, Parliament House and Mount Ainslie.
The wide red gravel median is flanked by blue-green eucalypts and New Zealand hebe shrubs, symbolising the Anzac partnership between Australia and New Zealand.
Memorials
Memorials along the parade honour those who served in the Boer War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, peacekeeping operations, and specific groups such as nurses, the Royal Australian Navy and the Desert Mounted Corps.
The Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial, dedicated in 1992, and the Australian Service Nurses National Memorial, dedicated in 1999, are among the best known.
On Anzac Day, a national march takes place along the parade after the Dawn Service at the War Memorial, watched by thousands of people.
Did You Know?
The view down Anzac Parade from the War Memorial looks straight across the lake to Parliament House.