Anzac Parade Walk
Walking is one of the best ways to experience visiting Anzac Parade in Australia's National Capital.
Your self guided walking tour takes you on a tour from the steps of the Australian War Memorial along the national capital's major commemorative way.
Anzac Parade is set along Canberra's magnificent Land Axis, which forms a key feature of Walter Burley Griffin's original 1912 plan of the city.
The Parade is visually powerful, with a red gravel central strip and dark eucalypt 'walls'. The red gravel of the central strip was originally made from crushed Canberra house bricks. The material was chosen in part for the similarity to the 'crunch' made by military boots during a parade. The 'walls' are created by the Victorian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus bicostata, and the planter boxes, which contrast in colour to the crushed red brick paving, have the native New Zealand plant Hebe 'Autumn Glory' growing in them (symbolising the Anzac connection).
At the top end of Anzac Parade stands the Australian War Memorial. The foundation stone for the Australian War Memorial was laid on Anzac Day 1929 but, due to the Great Depression in the 1930s, it was not until Remembrance Day 11 November 1941 that it was officially opened.
The term 'ANZAC' stands for 'Australian and New Zealand Army Corps'. The ANZAC legend has its roots in Gallipoli and World War I, when the Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, on 25 April 1915.
The Parade was completed in 1965, in time to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and provided a colourful setting for this memorable occasion. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended, along with the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, and a large gathering of people including a group of original ANZACS.
Anzac Parade is important to generations of Australians as a commemoration of the military conflicts in which Australia has played a part. It recalls the bond with New Zealand made at a time when both nations were grieving for the heavy losses they sustained as a result of World War I.
The street lighting, unique in the world, utilise plasma induction technology and can be programmed for variable light output during less busy times. The light design responded to concerns over light pollution from astronomers at Canberra's Mount Stromlo Observatory. For only 60% of normal electricity usage, the new lights deliver twice the illumination of the previous 1960's lights, and will last 15-20 years before requiring replacement, compared to five years for conventional streetlights.