- National
- Queensland
- City life
By Nick Dent
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Anzac Day commemorates those who fought in the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts. Brisbane’s main Dawn Service is at Anzac Square, but RSLs around town are also hosting them – find one near you here. Marches and parades are happening as well.
According to Queensland law, RSLs and services clubs are allowed to serve alcohol from 5am on Anzac Day, but other licensed premises have to wait until 1pm, unless they also serve meals, in which case it’s 10am.
Many “places of public amusement” are not permitted to open until 1.30pm on Anzac Day, so bear that in mind before heading out.
So, how will you spend Friday, April 25? Here are some ideas.
Commemorative
A solemn tradition that began in 1916 – one year to the day after the Gallipoli landing – the Anzac Day Dawn Service starts at 4.28am at Brisbane City’s Shrine of Remembrance. Expect hymns, wreath-laying, a dignitary’s address and The Last Post. Arrival at 3.30am is recommended, so set the alarm. Anzac Square, Brisbane, 4.28am, free.
Anzac Day Parade, Brisbane City
The Anzac Day Parade is an opportunity to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. Featuring World War II veterans, army and navy bands, associations and the descendants of servicepeople, the parade heads down Adelaide Street from George Street to Creek Street. Adelaide Street, Brisbane, 9.45am-12.30pm, free.
Advertisement
Ipswich is a proud garrison city, and the march will return to the Ipswich city centre for 2025. Dawn services are also being held in several suburbs of greater Ipswich. Corner of Brisbane and Waghorn streets, 10.45am, free.
The coin-based gambling game two-up can be played legally in Queensland on Anzac Day. If you’re keen to experience this aspect of Australia’s military culture, head to pubs including the Osbourne Hotel in the city, the Regatta in Toowong, the Glen at Eight Mile Plains, the Boundary in West End, or Riverbar and Kitchen in the city. The Felons lawn at Howard Smith Wharves is also hosting games. As always, if gambling is a problem for you, do something else.
Families
There are seven craft activities for kids to get stuck into at the Gallery of Modern Art, each one devised by one of the artists in the vibrant APT11 exhibition. GOMA, 12-5pm, free.
The new Mount Gravatt premises of the space-themed indoor activity centre has trampolines, slides, climbing challenges, interactive basketball and soccer games, and a toddler zone. 2nd Floor, Westfield Mount Gravatt, Kessels Road, Upper Mount Gravatt, 9am-5pm, $15-$28.
This beautiful miniature golf course snakes down and up a shady hillside with rolling views of the elegant St Lucia golf course. There are bridges, ricochet walls and boulders, and the golf club’s restaurant can make you a good lunch afterwards. Carawa Street, St Lucia, 9am-9pm, $5-$18.
Expect some 3000 square metres of interconnected indoor trampolines, parkour-style challenges, padding and airbags. Parents don’t have to buy a ticket and can wander about the place to supervise. There are also Bounce Incs at Ipswich, Carindale, Morayfield, Macgregor and Burleigh Waters. 40 Enterprise Place, Tingalpa, from 1pm, $16-$21.50.
Galleries and museums
Salvaged by Queensland troops in 1919, the 100-year-old tank Mephisto is the only surviving example of a German A7V Sturmpanzerwagen in the world. See it at the Queensland Museum alongside objects of war and personal items belonging to those on the frontline in World War I. Queensland Museum Kurilpa, 1.30-5pm, free.
Five sarcophaguses, respectfully displayed, are highlights of the Queensland Museum Kurilpa’s blockbuster show, which also features light projections of the Temple of Taffeh, sculptures, precious jewellery and artefacts. Queensland Museum Kurilpa, 1.30-5pm, $15-$29.90.
Sports Car Spectacular at Brisbane Motor Museum
The museum’s current show features hot rods such as a 1966 Corvette Stingray, the 1999 Lotus Elise 111S and a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 491, all meticulously restored in a showroom setting. Brisbane Motor Museum, 959 Nudgee Road, Banyo, Wed-Sun 8am-3pm, until Jun 2, $12.50-$25 (kids under 12 free).
Precious at the Museum of Brisbane
Items from Brisbane locals’ quirky private collections have gone into this free show. See ancient wind-up toys, 1980s matchbooks, Melbourne Olympics trading cards and more. There’s also a special activity room for the kids, Micro Museum, where they can compile their own collections of objects. Museum of Brisbane, City Hall, 1.30-5pm, free.
Anzac Square Memorial Galleries
The State War Memorial has three exhibition galleries. The WWI Memorial Crypt is a sombre corridor of plaques dedicated to the 10,000 Queenslanders who lost their lives in the Great War. The World War II gallery lets you follow the progress of the War in the Pacific by tapping on an interactive world map. And the Post-1945 room has screens telling the story of Australians in global peacekeeping missions. 285 Ann Street, Brisbane, 5.30am–3pm, free.
Shows and movies
Ben Affleck returns as the on-the-spectrum number-cruncher and money launderer in the sequel to the 2016 thriller. J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal and Cynthia Addai-Robinson reprise their roles from the first film. In cinemas from April 24.
Bob Downe: Choose Bob – 40 Ridiculous Years
Downe has been a 1970s throwback since the 1980s. For the 2020s, the prince of polyester performs at Brisbane Comedy Festival with a live band. Brisbane Powerhouse, 6pm, $54.90-$69.
Sarah Pascoe: I Am a Strange Gloop
Comedian, actor and QI panellist Pascoe came up through London’s comedy fringes – she gives her sardonic outlook on the world in her Brisbane Comedy Festival appearance. Brisbane Powerhouse, 8.15pm, $54.90.
The Buzz Lovers perform Nirvana Nevermind
Spain’s Nirvana tribute band will perform the Nevermind album in its entirety, plus highlights from the career of the kings of Seattle grunge. The Triffid, 7.30pm, $59.90.
Brisbane Chamber Choir: Reincarnations with Umberto Clerici
Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor, Umberto Clerici, joins the choir on cello along with the Brisbane Chamber Players String Quartet. The poignant Anzac Day repertoire will include Barber, Taverner, Esenvalds, Twist, Goodall and Leek. St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 405 Ann Street, Brisbane, 7pm, $0-$90.
Activities
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
The bridge opened back in 1940, and climbing it is both a fascinating history lesson and an exhilarating adventure with amazing views. The climbs now operate from the north side at Howard Smith Wharves and yes, they’re running on Anzac Day. Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane, 8.30am-9pm, $139.95-$169.95.
Loading
Anzac Day at Eat Street Northshore
The night street food markets will have two-up (5-8pm), special guests from the Australian Army Veterinary Corps, performances by Whistle Dixie, GEED UP, and the Pacific Belles, as well as all the food and drink you expect. 221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton, 4-10pm, $6 (under 13 free).
This top escape room attraction in Spring Hill has six one-hour challenges to select from: Orphanage (scary), Steam Punk (ingenious), Heist (intriguing), Flying Dutchman (maritime), Sherlocked (Anglophile) and Darkness (which is played blindfolded, eek). 56 Little Edward Street, Spring Hill, 10am-10pm, $55pp.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
License this article
- City life
- Anzac Day
- Entertainment
Most Viewed in National
Loading
