Anzac Parade, Canberra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anzac ParadeAustralian Capital Territory |
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| Looking down Anzac Parade from the Australian War Memorial | |
| General information | |
| Type | Road |
| Length | 1.1 km (0.7 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| Northeast end | Limestone Avenue / Fairbairn Avenue, Australian War Memorial |
| Constitution Avenue | |
| Southwest end | Parkes Way, Lake Burley Griffin |
| Location(s) | |
| Major suburbs | Campbell, Reid |
Anzac Parade is a very important road in Canberra, Australia's capital city. It's used for special events and has many memorials that honor brave soldiers.
The road is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). This group of soldiers fought together in World War I. Anzac Parade connects Lake Burley Griffin in the south to the Australian War Memorial in the north. It's a main path between Parliament House and Mount Ainslie.
The Parade has wide, gently sloping areas on both sides. These areas are lined with Victorian blue gum trees from Australia. The middle of the road has a wide parade ground covered with small rocks. You'll also see small bushes called Hebe from New Zealand. Streets named Anzac Park West and Anzac Park East run along the sides of the Parade.
Contents
Anzac Parade: A Special Road
Anzac Parade is a significant road in Canberra, Australia. It plays a key role in the city's design and is a place for national remembrance.
Why is it Called Anzac Parade?
The name "Anzac Parade" honors the brave soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). These soldiers fought together in World War I. The road connects important places like Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian War Memorial. It also links Parliament House with Mount Ainslie.
The Parade's Design
The road has three lanes for cars, but it's also designed for parades. On both sides, there are gentle slopes with Victorian blue gum trees. These trees are native to Australia. In the middle, there's a wide area for parades, covered with small rocks. You'll also see small bushes called Hebe, which come from New Zealand.
Special Events and Ceremonies
On ANZAC Day (April 25th) and other special occasions, Anzac Parade is closed to traffic. This allows groups of soldiers and veterans to march along the central parade ground or the side roads. Special removable barriers are used to make it easier for marchers to cross streets like Parkes Way and Constitution Avenue.
History and Location
Anzac Parade is located on a main line between Parliament House and Mount Ainslie. It crosses Constitution Avenue, which is part of the Parliamentary Triangle. This area connects different parts of Canberra, like Civic and Russell Hill.
The Parade separates two suburbs: Campbell and Reid. These names are important:
- Campbell: The suburb is named after Robert Campbell. He was an early merchant in Sydney. He received land in this area and built a home called Duntroon in 1825. Today, Duntroon House is part of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
- Reid: This suburb is named after Sir George Houstoun Reid. He was Australia's fourth Prime Minister from 1904 to 1905. He helped create the Australian Constitution.
Important Buildings Nearby
At the corner of Anzac Parade and Constitution Avenue is the historic St John the Baptist Anglican Church. It was built in 1845, long before Canberra was chosen as the capital. It's amazing how the church's position fits perfectly with the roads planned by Walter Burley Griffin, who designed Canberra.
Lighting Up the Parade
The lights along Anzac Parade were first turned on by Prime Minister Robert Menzies on ANZAC Day in 1965. They were designed to look like an "honour guard". The lighting was updated in 2001 by Prime Minister John Howard. The new lights are very efficient. They use less energy, which helps reduce air pollution and skyglow (light pollution in the sky).
A Protected Place
On ANZAC Day, April 25, 2006, the government announced that Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial would be added to the National Heritage List. This means they are very important places in Australia's history and are protected.
