25 Ways to Commemorate 25 April in NSW

Historic pubs and towns across Sydney and NSW are gearing up to welcome visitors for a pint of locally crafted beer and a game of two-up this Anzac Day, Sunday 25 April. 

From a coastal Anzac Memorial Walk to dawn services and heritage listed pubs, here are 25 ways to commemorate the Anzac spirit this year.

1. Step back in time in one of Sydney's most historic neighbourhoods – The Rocks. Indulge in a diggers breakfast at the colonial style Australian Heritage Hotel, plus enjoy the Scot's Marching Band and live entertainment all day. Spend the night on the site of Sydney's first hospital at Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney, built in 1887, and wake up early for an Anzac Day dawn climb with BridgeClimb Sydney.
2. Not all of Sydney's historic pubs are in the Rocks - Parramatta's Woolpack Hotel was established in 1796. Book a weekend in the city staying at Rydges Parramatta or PARKROYAL Parramatta and check out some of the nearby heritage-listed sites like Australia's oldest public building, Old Government House in Parramatta Park.
3. Another Sydney suburb full of heritage charm Balmain is home to local institution The London, dating back to 1870. In fact, Balmain has the highest pub-to-person ratio in Australia with the historic Dry Dock Hotel, established in 1857, another spot to settle in for the day. Be sure to drive over the picturesque Anzac Bridge on your way to Balmain, named in honour of Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
4. Over on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Hotel Steyne has been a fixture of Manly since 1859. This Anzac Day the beer garden will host two-up from midday and live music from 6pm. For a historic and spooky stay, spend the night at Q Station at Manly's North Head, known for its ghost tours.
5. For heritage accommodation on the outskirts of Sydney's CBD, check in to Spicers Potts Point, set in an 1880 Victorian Terrace House. Neigbouring suburb Paddington, well known for its historic sandstone buildings, is home to stunning old pubs like The Village Inn that opened in 1890. Be sure to pick up some of Sydney's best Anzac biscuits at Four and Stone, just around the corner from the hotel.
6. The Buena in Mosman is a pub steeped in history and an iconic landmark on Sydney's Lower North Shore. With a local bugler performing the last post, two-up and food and drink specials, the venue will be going off this Anzac Day. For a luxury heritage stay in Mosman, The Albert Hotel in 1886 stately home is one not to be missed.
7. Book in for a Sydney CBD staycation in one of the city's historic hotels – Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, QT Sydney or heritage-listed Primus Hotel Sydney. Start your day in the most memorable way and register to attend the RSL NSW Anzac Day March in Sydney's CBD. The largest march in the state has just been granted an exemption to increase number to 10,000 marchers in 2021.
8. Telling the story of Surry Hills transformation from its agricultural roots to an inner-city suburb of Sydney, The Royal Albert Hotel has been part of the landscape since 1927. Surry Hills is now home to some city's most loved pubs, like The Clock Hotel with two-up, DJs and the Dragons and Roosters game playing live this Anzac Day.
9. Maintaining much of its 19th century character, The Rag and Famish Hotel is North Sydney's oldest pub, having occupied its current site since 1860. Settle in for two-up from 12pm in the beer garden, with specials all day and live music from 6pm.
10. The Heritage listed Royal Cricketer's Arms pub in Blacktown was first licensed in 1880. The beer garden set among 100-year-old willows and a spectacular jacaranda adding to its country pub atmosphere. With Anzac Day falling on Sunday, enjoy the roast of the day available for lunch and dinner.
11. A fantastic historical relic within the tiny village of St Albans, the Settlers Arm Inn was established in 1836 and remains largely unchanged since. Sitting on the Macdonald River surrounded by mountains, raise a glass in honour of our diggers in this old-world escape just 90 minutes from Sydney.
12. The Gunnedah Shire in NSW's New England region, boasts a rich Anzac history, and will mark the occasion with a program of special events and activities across its villages. Stop by Tambar Springs, home to the earliest World War I Memorial in Australia, erected in December 1918. Check into one of the historic town's country hotels, The Royal Hotel built in 1908 or The Commercial Hotel, built in 1912.
13. Two-up is a key part of the cultural history of Australia's first heritage-listed city – Broken Hill. Home to an illegal two-up school for much of the 20th Century, today The Palace Hotel is still the only place in Australia that the game can be played any day of the year. While you're there, explore some of the city's rich mining history and stay at Broken Hill Outback Resort for a true-blue outback experience.
14. Soak up the history of the Bushranger Hotel in Collector, a beautiful country pub infamous for a local police constable being shot by bushrangers back in 1865. Located 20 minutes south of Goulburn “The Bushy” as it if fondly known offers traditional pub style accommodation, for those wanting to wake up to views of the stunning countryside this Anzac Day.
15. Take in the sites along the Anzac Memorial Walk at Bar Beach, Newcastle. The 450m coastal cliff top walkway opened in 2015 to honour the 100-year anniversary of Gallipoli and is adorned with steel silhouettes of soldiers. Venture 40-minutes west to the quaint town of Morpeth and rest your head at The Bronte Boutique Hotel, which dates back to 1822.
16. Enjoy a beer at The Surveyor General Innin Berrima, the oldest continuously licensed inn in Australia built by convicts in 1834. The sandstone building's verandah offers a picturesque setting to settle in for a schooner and some live music this Anzac Day. Berrima is the best-preserved Georgian village in Australia, with a range of restored cottages like Olbury Cottage Berrima and Jellore Cottage making for the perfect weekend escape.
17. On the South Coast, Anzac Day will be marked with a 6am dawn service at the Tathra War Memorial. Book a night at the Tathra Hotel, located on the headland of coastal town Tathra, and wake up bright and early in a stunning heritage-listed surrounding.
18. Be transported back in time in Bellingen, a town on the Mid North Coast that has managed to maintain the charm of yester year. Sitting on the picturesque main street, The Federal Hotel is a classic country pub steeped in rich history. The venue first opened for business in 1901, its name celebrating the Federation of the Australian States in that year.
19. In the Riverina, Hay has an important military heritage and is full of interesting sights to see this Anzac Day including the Light Horse Memorial a striking bronze World War I sculpture, and the recently launched Hay's Water Tower Art. Completed in December 2020, the striking art pays tribute to the servicemen and women who served in the World Wars. For a historic sleepover, The Bank B&B opened this year in the former London Bank of Australia.
20. The Banjo Paterson Inn in the scenic town of Jindabyne in the heart of the Snowy Mountains offers a magnificent vista over Lake Jindabyne. Named after the famous Australian poet, the Inn is also home to popular local drop Kosciuszko Pale Ale – perfect for an Anzac Day toast.
21. Immerse yourself in history in the beautiful National Trust village of Central Tilba, on the far South Coast of NSW. Local haunt, The Dromedary Hotel dates back to 1895 and has a long tradition of live music. Sit back and enjoy a drink and a tune in the friendly atmosphere of this old country pub's beer garden.
22. Originally the Ocean View Hotel, Hotel Brunswick was the established in 1884 as the first Hotel in Brunswick Heads – a quaint surfing village lost in time. For Anzac Day, the live music will kick off from 5pm in the expansive beer garden that is one of the best on the North Coast of NSW.
23. Corowa is heritage-rich town on the banks of the mighty Murray River, known as the birthplace of Federation. Visit Corowa Whisky and Chocolate for something a little different, set inside a 1920s flour mill. Housed within the former Rural Bank of NSW, the historic art deco hotel Circa 1936 is the ideal spot to base yourself for the weekend.
24. Explore the rich cultural heritage of Gundagai, a scenic country town in the beautiful Riverina, overflowing with architectural, colonial and Indigenous history. Anzac Park features several memorials to conflicts in which Australia has been involved and is a moving place to pay tribute to our veterans.
25. Venture into the National Trust-listed town of Carcoar, the third-oldest settlement west of the Blue Mountains with a considerable number of preserved 19th century buildings. Located 40 minutes from Orange, enjoy a local beer or wine in a country-pub atmosphere and hotel-style accommodation at The Royal Hotel Carcoar.

For more information, visit www.visitnsw.com.

Share your favourite Sydney and NSW holidays on social media by using the hashtag #LoveNSW or #NewSouthWales.

About Destination NSW

Destination NSW is the lead NSW Government agency for the State's tourism and major events industry and is responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow the State's visitor economy. Our particular focus is driving tourism and acquiring and developing major sporting and cultural events for Sydney and regional NSW. In addition, Destination NSW is the major investor in Business Events Sydney with the aim of securing more international conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.

Visit NSW Social Media

Twitter: Sydney #ilovesydney #LoveNSW @sydney_sider
Twitter: NSW #LoveNSW #NewSouthWales @NewSouthWales
Instagram: Sydney #ilovesydney #LoveNSW @sydney
Instagram: NSW #LoveNSW #NewSouthWales @VisitNSW
Facebook: Sydney facebook.com/sydney #ilovesydney #LoveNSW
Facebook: NSW facebook.com/visitnsw #LoveNSW #NewSouthWales

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au