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New Zealanders travelling to Turkey for the ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli are advised to monitor the Ministry’s travel advisory, and that of Australia, in the lead up to 25 April.
Increased security awareness worldwide has also impacted on arrangements for the ANZAC Day services at the Gallipoli Peninsula Peace Park. The Turkish authorities will provide extensive security for the commemorations. Visitors to the Gallipoli area will need to comply with any directives by the Turkish authorities, and also any directives by the event organisers.
Security measures will include restrictions on entry points, and searches of person and bags and prohibited items will be confiscated on entry. Any items confiscated at the site will not be returned at the conclusion of the commemorations. No alcohol is permitted. A security wristband will be provided at screening points and must be worn on your wrist until you leave the Gallipoli International Peace Park at the conclusion of the commemorations.
Due to security requirements, certain areas at the commemorative sites may not be accessible to the public during the services.
Allow additional time to travel to the commemorative sites and pass through the various security checkpoints.
ANZAC Day is a national day of commemoration in New Zealand and Australia when we remember those who died in war.
The Gallipoli Peninsula is equally revered by the Turkish people who also suffered great loss defending their homeland against invasion. It is also a place of remembrance for other countries that participated in the 1915 campaign, including Britain, France, India, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Germany.
Commemoration services will be held over two days, Thursday 24 April and Friday 25 April. On 24 April there will be Turkish, French and UK services. The Dawn, Australian and New Zealand services will be held on Friday 25 April, as will the Turkish 57th Regiment service. More detailed information on commemoration events is available from the website of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.
The following will not be permitted into the commemoration sites:
There are very limited facilities on the peninsula and catering for increasingly large crowds on 24 and 25 April stretches these to a maximum.
New Zealanders are advised to dress and behave conservatively and generally maintain a suitably dignified manner that respects local customs and sensitivities, and the solemnity of the commemorative events.
Visitors are requested not to stand or sit on the road through the ANZAC Commemorative site or any other fenced movement corridors in order that people can have ready access to (limited) toilet facilities and food vendors. Keeping the road clear also allows a movement corridor for emergency access.
Certain areas of the ANZAC commemorative site, including the beach and VIP area, will not be accessible to the public.
Ferries normally cross the Dardanelles between Canakkale and Eceabat on the hour. Bookings will be extremely heavy over the ANZAC period. Additional ferries may be provided. Visitors should check updated ferry timetables with the Canakkale authorities.
Visitors should be aware that the ferries and roads are likely to be very congested and ensure they allow sufficient time to travel to the Peninsula.
Road ClosuresAll roads inside the Peace Park will be closed to all but official vehicles and organised tour buses. Private vehicles will not be allowed.
The weather at Gallipoli in April can be variable, ranging from very cold and windy through cool and wet to brilliant sunshine, often on the same day. Visitors remaining overnight or arriving in the early hours of the morning need to be very warmly dressed. By midday it can be very hot, so layers of clothes are recommended. Wear strong footwear and be prepared for the need to walk considerable distances (5km and more), in some cases on uphill rough walking tracks. Basic essentials should be carried in a small day pack such as a torch, sunscreen, insect repellent, bottled water, food, sunscreen and protective clothing, including a hat and wet weather gear. Plastic sheeting is useful in case of rain. There is no shelter at the ANZAC Commemorative site, Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair. Remember, all bags and packs will be searched along with physical checks on people at various points throughout the day.
There are limited toilet facilities in the ANZAC area. Toilet facilities are available at the Kabatepe Museum, and portable toilets are installed from 23-25 April inclusive at the ANZAC Cove site, Lone Pine and at Chunuk Bair. There is no running water except at these toilets and no power or lighting except that provided by generators for the Dawn Service.
Seating is extremely limited at all services. Visitors should not expect seating at the Dawn Service or at the Chunuk Bair service. Visitors are requested not to smoke in or around the stands.
There may be limited refreshment stands on site, with limited choice, and you should plan accordingly. Bring bottled water. Biodegradable plastic bags will be provided and visitors are asked to take the bag with them as they leave the sites and place in the designated rubbish bins provided which visitors are expected to use, and respect the Peace Park as a memorial site. Please remember that you are on hallowed ground – thousands of the soldiers who died on the peninsula have no known grave.
Be warned there are very strict penalties for the possession of drugs in Turkey. An alcohol ban will be strictly enforced while visitors are at the commemorative sites and all bags will be searched. Intoxicated persons will be denied entry.
The Turkish Army provides limited first aid facilities on 24-25 April for visitors.
Consider taking a small personal first aid kit.
If you lose or find property during the commemorations, please notify a member of the Visitor Services Team (identifiable by their orange vests).
In Turkey special facilities are not generally available for people with disabilities or restricted mobility. Before organising your trip it is advisable to contact a travel agent, tour operator and the local tourist authority to find out whether local transport, accommodation and attractions will cater for your disability.
For those New Zealanders with special needs who are planning to attend the services, you need to be aware that the sites do not lend themselves to comfortable conditions for people with a disability. Special needs seating is not on flat ground and there are approximately 25 steps to climb. We expect that people with a disability will only have to walk 400 metres but it is possible that you may need to walk 4 kilometres. People who are confined to a wheelchair will need to have a carer accompany them at all times. Limited transport assistance may be available for people who are unable to walk between the commemorative sites.
You do need to register in advance for special needs assistance and you can do this by contacting Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand on free phone 0800 483 3872.
Swimming is prohibited at ANZAC Cove.
New Zealanders travelling to or resident in Turkey should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies that include provision for medical evacuation by air.
Consular officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be positioned in Istanbul, Canakkale, and also on the Peninsula to provide urgent on-the-ground consular assistance required by New Zealanders attending the Gallipoli commemorations.
Contact details for consular officials in Turkey for the period 20-26 April are as follows:
Ankara: Ph +90 312 467 9054
Instanbul: Ph +90 534 596 6453
Canakkale: Ph +90 286 218 1898 or +90 0533 414 0904.
New Zealanders requiring consular assistance after 26 April should contact the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara, Ph 90-312 467 9054.
In Turkey, the nationwide 24-hour emergency services assistance number is 155. Foreigners may also contact the Tourist Police in Istanbul on 0212 527 4503 during office hours.
New Zealanders travelling to the Gallipoli commemorations are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Page last updated: Tuesday, 23-Sep-2008 15:53:12 NZST
