Anzac Day Mackay Morning Parade & Service Apr 25
Saturday, April 25, 2026
The annual Mackay city Anzac Day commemorative parade is a long-standing community tradition.
It provides an opportunity for schools and the community to honour those who have served our country.
Parade Assembly Information
Once again, primary and high school participants will assemble and march from the Caneland Central ground level car park and kindergarten students will assemble at the corner of Gordon and Macalister streets in the cordoned off area.
The parade route has been slightly modified from last year, giving spectators more vantage points and ensuring the parade passes key locations such as the cenotaph.
The parade will move from Caneland Central and go along Victoria Street, down Macalister Street, along Gordon Street where the saluting dais will be located in front of the council building, left onto Wellington Street and onto Alfred Street.
Drop-off Assembly Points
Primary and high school students are to use the Caneland Central drop-off area along Matsuura Drive. The drop-off area will be operational from 7am and is located near the roundabout.
You can either drop your child off in the allocated drop-off area, park in the upper-level car parking or around Caneland Central and walk your child to the ground-level Caneland Central car park.
Those who are transporting large pieces of band equipment can park in the designated band vehicle parking area beside the ground-level Caneland Central car park.
Students and community groups are to be assembled in the ground-level Caneland Central car park by 8am.
Daycare/kindergarten students are to be assembled at the corner of Gordon and Macalister streets by 8am.
Please refer to the parade map below.
Parking
Parking is available in the upper-level car park of the Caneland Central Shopping Centre via the ramp off Matsuura Drive. Vehicles will only be able to exit via Matsuura Drive.
There is also parking around Caneland Central Shopping Centre.
Daycare/kindergarten students can utilise parking in the surrounding streets.
Please refer to the parade map below.
Road Closures
Road closures will be in place along the parade route. Please adhere to all roadside signage and instructions.
The Mangrove Road and Milton Street intersection will be closed from 8am.
Please allow plenty of time to get to the Caneland Central car park.
Please refer to the parade route map below.
Morning Parade Assembly
Primary and high school students, cadets, scouts, guides, veterans, and descendants will all march off from the Caneland Central car park. Vintage vehicles and the ambulance vehicle will leave from the designated parking area.
Daycare/kindergarten students will march from the corner of Gordon and Macalister streets. An SES volunteer will be there to assist this group march off.
Morning Parade Formation
Students, cadets, scouts, guides, veterans, and descendants are to assemble in the Caneland Central ground-level car park by 8am.
Rows have been allocated in the Caneland Central car park for each school/group. Please refer to the assembly map below.
Order of the march is as follows:
- Veterans in vintage vehicles
- Cadets - Navy Cadets, Army Cadets, Airforce Cadets,
- Scouts and Guides
- Parade commander
- Pipers
- RSL Executives and Padre
- Australian veterans and descendants
- New Zealand veterans and descendants
- Dogs of War
- Queensland Ambulance Service vehicle
- Schools - daycare students, primary schools, secondary schools.
- Community groups
- Emergency services - SES, PCYC Emergency Services Cadets, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Rural Fire, Queensland Ambulance Service.
The parade will move onto Victoria Street at 8.30am and march down Macalister Street, along Gordon Street, left onto Wellington Street and into Jubilee Park. Please refer to parade route map below.
The morning service will commence at 9.30am in Jubilee Park and conclude at approximately 10.30am.
General information
Dispersal of Students After Parade
Following the march, schools will be directed to positions on Macalister Street between Gordon and Shakespeare streets, Alfred Street between Wellington and Macalister streets, Mackay Central State School grounds and Nelson Street between Alfred and Shakespeare Street.
Please refer to the school dispersal map.
Information for Schools Attending the Dawn Service
Mackay’s Caledonian Pipe Band members suffered many casualties during the First World War. After the Mackay and District Pipe Band was formed, in 1928, the Pipers were invited to lead Anzac Day parades and to lay a solitary wreath during Mackay’s dawn service. A Veteran Piper or the Drum Major lays that wreath.
Other wreaths may be laid before or after the dawn service.
The morning service will commence at 9.30am and conclude at approximately 10.30am.
Wreath-laying at the Morning Service, Cenotaph, Jubilee Park
Smart casual attire or uniforms are to be worn by those people laying a wreath.
After the march, those laying wreaths will gather in the shade near the large tree beside the Cenotaph.
They may be moved under a marquee by marshals to be closer for laying wreaths.
Marshalls will position wreath-layers in order during the address by Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.
Submit an application to lay a wreath at Mackay’s Anzac Day main service. Submissions need to be in by Friday, April 10.
Wearing of Military Decorations, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons
Medals awarded to a person are worn on the left breast.
Medals worn for a family member are worn on the right breast
Medals may be worn for parents, grandparents, etc.
Following a tradition that began during an Armistice Day parade in London, in 1920, (now Remembrance Day), Veterans cover their medals with their right hand after laying a wreath and when repeating “Lest We Forget” at the end of “The Ode” recital. This is to cover awards or decorations the Fallen may not have received.
Medals worn on the right breast may be covered by the left hand.
Toilets
Portaloo toilets will be available at the assembly location at Caneland Central car park near Star Car Wash and in the vehicle access area near the undercover rear car park.
They will also be located in the Jubilee Park Anzac Day service area, the council car park, the MECC car park and the Senior Citizens car park on Macalister Street, which kindergarten students can use. Please refer to the parade route map below.
Water
Water will be available for veterans and their families at the assembly location and the service.
Schools are asked to bring some water with them.
Information on the Dawn Service
The dawn service will commence in Jubilee Park at 5am and conclude at approximately 5.30am.
Mackay’s Caledonian Pipe Band members suffered many casualties during the First World War. After the Mackay and District Pipe Band was formed, in 1928, the Pipers were invited to lead Anzac Day parades and to lay a solitary wreath during Mackay’s dawn service. A Veteran Piper or the Drum Major lays that wreath.
Other wreaths may be laid before or after the Dawn service.
Related Information
When
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Saturday, 25 April 2026 | 12:00 AM