Anzacs honoured at home and abroad
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to "the men who came from the ends of the earth to fight a far off war" in her address at the Anzac Cove dawn service at Gallipoli.
"For the allies, this was a battle of nations fought by great powers and the might of their empires for a wider strategic goal," she said.
"For the Turks, this was a defence of the soil and sanctity of home, for which Ataturk ordered his men not only to attack but to die.
"And the men who fought here from our nation, our allies and from Turkey did die terrible deaths that spared no age or rank or display of courage."
Ms Gillard spoke alongside Governor General Quentin Bryce, who was in Gallipoli following a brief surprise visit to the troops in Afghanistan overnight.
Thousands of Australian and New Zealand tourists gathered in Gallipoli to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the landing that gave rise to the Anzac spirit.
Gallery: Anzac Day in photos
Meanwhile at home thousands have gathered in marches and dawn services across the country as Australians commemorate Anzac Day.
In Sydney, the first of the diggers have arrived at Hyde Park after completing their Anzac Day parade.
98-year-old Sergeant Frank Harlow was one of the first to complete the march.
Accompanied by relatives, his arrival in Hyde Park after completing the parade was a special moment.
"It's the greatest experience of my life," the West Pennant Hills resident told AAP.
Having suffered a stroke a few years ago, Mr Harlow thought he'd never be able to take part in an Anzac Day march. It was his first.
Dawn services
Sydney residents were able to gather under clear skies for the first time in three years for a solemn service at the Cenotaph in Martin Place.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore were among the dignitaries paying the respects before sunrise this morning.
Around 20,000 people braved the wind and cold for a moving service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Salvation Army Lieutenant Colonel Philip Cairns Salvation Army Lieutenant Colonel Philip Cairns said the first Anzacs joined up from a sense of adventure and also duty.
He said it might be different today and it could be about a career, lifestyle or a sense of duty.
"Whatever the reason I know that some point in every soldier's life they are confronted with the question - would they be prepared to die for their country. All too often in our history the answer to this question has had to be yes," he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Cairns said this wasn't just in the past and in recent days it had been seen with soldiers in Afghanistan.
"We can only stand in admiration this morning and say thank you," he said.
In Melbourne, around 45,000 people huddled together in the dark and cold at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance ahead for the dawn Anzac service.
Under umbrellas and wearing hoods and coats, young and old have come together in drizzly conditions to commemorate the fallen.
In Queensland, young and old alike gathered in silence in the pre-dawn darkness to pay their respects, with some family members proudly wearing their loved one's service medals.
The service began at 4:28am (AEST), marking the moment the first Anzacs stepped onto the beach at Gallipoli.
Queensland Governor Penny Wensley paid tribute to the 8,000 young Australian men who died there and many more killed in later conflicts.
Ms Wensley told the crowd the sacrifice of the first Anzacs still binds Australians together and will not be forgotten.
"This ritual of respect will continue as day breaks across our great island continent but it will not stop there," she said.
