Getting Around on ANZAC Day with Maxi Cab Melbourne
One of the most important days on Australia’s calendar, Anzac Day has been observed on the 25th of April every year since 1916. It’s a day that allows us to reflect and pay our respects to those who have served in defence of our nation. After a few years of altered commemorations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems that our Anzac Day tributes are finally getting back to normal with traditional dawn services and marches.
Anzac Day commemorations draw big crowds every year. To save the hassle of traffic and finding parking, as well as ensuring that all are able to participate in services across the state, we highly recommend booking with Maxi Cab Melbourne.
- Dawn Service (Shrine of Remembrance)
A solemn tradition in Australia, we commemorate our servicemen and women at dawn, as this is around the time that the Anzac’s first approached the beach at Gallipoli during World War I. The ceremony starts around 5:30am and concludes around 6:30am, at which time the public are welcome to enter the Sanctuary to pay their respects by laying a poppy.
More than 30,000 people gather at the Shrine of Remembrance for this service each year. Whether you’re still serving, a veteran, family or you just want to pay your respects, Maxi Cab Melbourne will ensure that you arrive on time and will drop you off at an accessible location that requires little walking. We can also collect you at the conclusion of the service. - Local Dawn Services & Marches
If you’re unable to get into the Shrine, there are a plethora of Anzac Day dawn services and marches held across suburban Melbourne and regional Victoria. Some of these include the Croydon War Memorial, Frankston War Memorial, Geelong Peace Memorial and Bairnsdale Cenotaph. RSL sub-branches also often hold a dawn service; please see your local branch for more information and times.
Although not as popular as the Shrine of Remembrance, local services and marches do still draw big crowds and arriving by taxi can ensure that you’re not fighting for a parking spot instead of paying your respects. - Anzac Day March
Beginning at 9am, the Anzac Day march travels from Princes Bridge on the outskirts of Melbourne CBD to the Shrine via St Kilda Road. A number of defence groups are invited to march, including veterans of World War II and Vietnam, descendants of those who served in World War I and the Boer War, and servicemen and women currently serving in the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force.
With many people choosing to stay after the dawn service to watch the march, parking in Melbourne CBD is an absolute nightmare. Maxi Cab Melbourne will ensure that you arrive in plenty of time for the march and can drop you off at a viewing point that is convenient. With so many veterans now elderly and relying on assistance to get around, taxis have even been used to transport them as a part of the march (please get in touch if you’d like our assistance with this). - Commemoration Service & Wreath Laying
Held after the conclusion of the Anzac Day march, the commemoration service and wreath laying begins around 12:30pm and concludes around 1pm. Dignitaries are invited to lay wreaths on war memorials as a way of remembering those who lost their lives serving for Australia. Traditionally, the Anzac wreath is shaped like a teardrop, however, circular ones are also commonly used.
Although the service itself is nowhere near as involved as the one held at dawn, many people choose to attend the commemoration service to watch the wreath laying. As such, there will still be large crowds in the CBD and a taxi will make getting to and from the service far easier. The drivers from Maxi Cab Melbourne are also experienced in helping those with mobility issues get there safely. - Two-Up Tournaments
A gambling game that was popular amongst Aussie diggers during World War I, two-up requires participants to guess whether two flipped coins will land on heads, tails or one of each. This fun game can only legally be played on Anzac Day, so you can bet that it’s popular. Tournaments are often held at Young and Jackson (near Flinders Street Station) and the Anzac Day races at Flemington to name a few.
With the beer typically flowing at these sorts of events, it’s definitely a good idea to let Maxi Cab Melbourne sort out your transportation for the day. No matter where you’re planning to play two-up, we can get you there. - Anzac Day AFL Match
A tradition that is much younger than others (the first match only took place in 1995), this is often considered the biggest AFL game of the season outside of finals. It sees Essendon and Collingwood go head to head at the MCG every year. It’s a tribute to and celebration of the Anzac spirit. Before the match, a special Anzac Day service is held to recognise Australian war veterans.
This blockbuster AFL match is sold out every year, so you can bet that car parks are full and roads are congested. Maxi Cab Melbourne will get you to and from the game without any hassles, allowing you to sit back and enjoy.
Following the solemnity of the dawn service, many veterans choose to get together with their mates, families and the community as a whole. With beers and banter flowing freely, it’s no wonder that many choose to leave their cars at home by booking with Maxi Cab Melbourne.
Obviously, there’s always a high demand for taxis on Anzac Day – but we don’t believe that this is any reason to jack up the prices the way some ride sharers do. In fact, we believe that’s downright un-Australian. No matter how you choose to remember our servicemen and women, when you book with Maxi Cab Melbourne rest assured that you’ll arrive on time and that it won’t cost you an arm and a leg – whether it’s dawn, dusk or anytime between.
