For many Australians and New Zealanders, standing at Anzac Cove on 25 April is more than a visit — it’s a pilgrimage.
If you are staying in Eceabat, you are already on the doorstep of the Gallipoli Peninsula, just moments away from one of the most meaningful commemorations in the world.
This overnight service takes you directly from Eceabat to the official ceremony area, where you’ll join thousands of travellers who have come to honour the courage, sacrifice, and mateship of the ANZACs. As night settles over the hills and the crowd gathers under the stars, you’ll feel the atmosphere shift — quiet, reflective, and deeply moving.
When the first light breaks over the water, the ANZAC Day Dawn Service begins. It’s a moment of silence shared with strangers who feel like family — Australians, New Zealanders, and visitors united in remembrance on the very ground where the ANZAC story was written.
After the service, you will continue to the Australian Memorial at Lone Pine or the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair, before returning to Eceabat at the end of the official program.
If your journey starts elsewhere, SAILNSTAY also offers:
ANZAC Day — Dawn Service Experience (From Istanbul)
ANZAC Day — Dawn Service Transfer (From Canakkale)
Itinerary
24 April — Evening Departure
Eceabat → Anzac Cove (Overnight Stay at Ceremony Site)
Meeting Point:
Eceabat Town Centre
Departure time announced a few days prior (aligned with security regulations)
We meet in Eceabat in the evening and begin our journey across to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Due to official ANZAC Day protocols, all vehicles must follow designated routes and schedules.
Government-Controlled Access
Security forces control access to Anzac Cove and may vary each year based on dignitary attendance (Prime Minister, Ministers, Defence officials).
Our timing is always adjusted to comply with official instructions.
Once we arrive at the controlled area, we proceed to Anzac Cove, where you will secure a place for the overnight wait. This is a unique atmosphere — thousands gathering through the night, sharing stories, learning the history, and preparing for the Dawn Service.
25 April — Dawn Service & Memorial Ceremonies
Anzac Cove → Lone Pine → Chunuk Bair → Eceabat
Before sunrise, the crowd gathers in silence as the ANZAC Day Dawn Service begins — a powerful and moving moment shared by Australians, New Zealanders, and guests from around the world.
After the Dawn Service, we continue to the national memorials:
🇦🇺 Australian Memorial Service — Lone Pine
🇳🇿 New Zealand Memorial Service — Chunuk Bair
Transport between the ceremony sites is organised according to official traffic flow controlled by event authorities.
Following the ceremonies, we return to Eceabat to conclude your ANZAC Day experience.
Who This Tour is For
This Eceabat version is ideal for travellers who:
- Are already staying in Eceabat
- Do not need a hotel-inclusive or Istanbul departure
- Want simple, direct access to the Dawn Service
- Prefer a shorter logistical route (no long drives)
- Are you backpacking, self-driving, or on a flexible Turkey itinerary
This is a service-focused, no-hotel ANZAC Day experience.
Included
- Transportation from Eceabat to Anzac Cove
- Access to ANZAC Day Dawn Service
- Transportation to memorial services (Lone Pine / Chunuk Bair)
- Return transportation to Eceabat
- Professional English-speaking guide
- All ferry/transport regulations required by the authorities
Excluded
- Meals that are not specified on the itinerary.
- Sleeping bags or blankets at the commemorative site
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Good to Know
- Overnight: You will spend the night outdoors at Anzac Cove
- Fitness Level: Moderate (standing, walking, uneven surfaces)
- Weather: Nights can be very cold — dress in layers
- Security: Bag checks and restricted zones apply
- Timing: Exact departure times depend on government protocols announced days before the event