ANZAC Day Dawn Service 2026
2026-04-25 05:00 - 08:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Cairns Cenotaph, Cairns, Queensland, 4870, Australia
ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE 2026

Join us as we come together as a community to honour the service, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of our servicemen and women this ANZAC Day.

The Cairns RSL Sub Branch warmly invites you to attend the 2026 ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Cairns Cenotaph, a time for reflection, remembrance, and respect.

This year’s theme: Women in ServiceWe pay special tribute to the invaluable contributions, courage, and dedication of women who have served, past and present, and recognise the vital role they continue to play in shaping our Defence Force and veteran community.

2026 holds special significance for our region, as we also commemorate 150 years of Cairns and 100 years of the Cairns Cenotaph, milestones that deepen the meaning of this year’s service and our shared history.

March into ServiceForm up at Aquarius Apartments at 5:15 AM

Dawn ServiceCairns Cenotaph5:00 AM

March Form UpFogarty Park from 6:45 AM

ANZAC Day March7:30 AM

Can’t make the service in person? No worries, you can still be part of this special moment 🌿
Watch the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and march live HERE.
Let us stand together to reflect, remember, and honour all who have served, especially the women whose service and sacrifice continue to inspire future generations.
Lest we Forget.

Morning Walk and Breaky
2026-05-06 07:00 - 09:00
Cairns RSL Sub Branch Members Walk & Breakfast
Start your morning with fresh air, good company, and a classic RSL breakfast.
All Cairns RSL Sub Branch members are invited to join us for a relaxed community walk from the Cairns Cenotaph, followed by a well-earned breakfast at the Pelican BBQ.

Event Details
📍 Meet at the Cairns Cenotaph, The Esplanade
📅 Wednesday, 6 May
🕖 7:00am – Group walk begins
🕗 8:00am – Breakfast at the Pelican BBQ

What to Expect
Enjoy a casual walk along the Esplanade with fellow members, taking time to connect, reflect, and start the day together.
After the walk, we’ll gather at the Pelican BBQ for a hearty breakfast of bacon, sausages, and eggs, the perfect way to wrap up the morning.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Cairns Cenotaph 100th Commemoration
2026-06-05 17:00 - 18:30
Cairns Cenotaph Centenary Commemoration
1926 – 2026
Honouring 100 Years of Service, Sacrifice and Remembrance
Join the Cairns community for a once-in-a-generation commemoration marking the 100th anniversary of the Cairns Cenotaph, one of our city’s most significant and enduring memorials.
Hosted by the Cairns RSL Sub Branch, this special evening will honour the legacy of those who served, reflect on the history of the cenotaph, and bring the community together in remembrance and respect.
Event Details
📍 Cairns Cenotaph, The Esplanade, Cairns
📅 Friday, 5 June 2026
🕔 From 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Program Highlights
This commemorative evening will include:

Community gathering and centenary celebration
Re-enactment of the 1926 Cenotaph Consecration
Historical reflections on the cenotaph and its significance
Sunset Colours Ceremony
Formal Remembrance Service
Laying of wreaths

About the Cairns Cenotaph
First unveiled on ANZAC Day 1926, the Cairns Cenotaph was built to honour local men and women who served and died in the First World War.
Originally located in the heart of the city, it now stands proudly on the Esplanade as a lasting symbol of remembrance for all who have served in conflicts past and present.
For 100 years, it has remained a place where our community gathers in reflection, gratitude, and respect.
Community Invitation
This event is open to all members of the community. Veterans, families, schools, and organisations are warmly encouraged to attend and take part in this historic milestone.
Let us come together to honour the past, acknowledge the present, and ensure the stories of service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
Lest We Forget
