How to Visit Gallipoli: A Guide to Trip-Planning by Historian Mat McLachlan
Walking on the hallowed ground of Gallipoli is an experience that stays with you forever. As someone who has dedicated decades to researching and sharing the stories of the Anzacs, and to walking the ground, I can tell you that standing where our soldiers fought and fell creates a connection to history that simply cannot be replicated anywhere else. Whether you’re planning to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service or exploring throughout the year, this guide will help you make the most of your visit to this sacred site.
Why Gallipoli Matters
The Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey holds a unique place in Australian and New Zealand history. Between 25 April and 20 December 1915, over 75,000 Australians and New Zealanders served on these shores. The courage, mateship, and sacrifice shown by our soldiers created a legend that continues today.
Planning Your Gallipoli Journey
Getting There
Gallipoli is located on Turkey’s northwestern coast, approximately a 4.5-hour drive from Istanbul. The peninsula lies across the Dardanelles Strait from the town of Çanakkale, which serves as the main gateway to the battlefields, and is a great place to base yourself with good quality hotels and restaurants in this regional area of Türkiye.
The journey by road from Istanbul to Çanakkale itself is significant. As you travel along the shores of the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, you’re following the same waterway that British, French, and Anzac forces sought to control during the campaign. This strategic strait was the principal objective of the entire operation.
What to Expect on the Ground
The Gallipoli Peninsula stretches approximately 60 kilometres in length and varies between 5 to 15 kilometres in width, jutting into the Aegean Sea between the Dardanelles Strait and the Saros Gulf. The battlefield sites are scattered across this rugged landscape within the Gallipoli Campaign Historical Site, a protected area within a national park. This is an isolated, remote, and exposed location without permanent infrastructure.
The terrain is challenging—rugged hills, steep ravines, and uneven ground make comfortable walking shoes essential, and exploring many sites requires considerable walking. The peninsula’s geography played a crucial role in the campaign’s outcome; the steep terrain gave Turkish defenders significant advantages that the Allied forces could never overcome.
Over 110 years on, there are still many marks and relics from this 1915 campaign and many battles to see. Original Anzac, Allied and Turkish trenches can still be seen at Johnston’s Jolly and the areas around Quinn’s Post, The Nek, and Walker’s Ridge. On my most recent trip to Gallipoli, I found Turkish WWI barbed wire -which lined no-man’s land – and unfired Australian bullets. In the shallow water at Anzac Cove, the shipwreck of SS Milo – a British steamer used to ferry supplies to Anzac Cove and transport troops during the campaign can still be seen.
Key Sites Across the Peninsula
The Anzac Sector
Ari Burnu – This is the beach where it all began on 25 April 1915. Standing here, you’ll understand immediately that the Anzacs landed in the wrong place—instead of the gentle beaches of their objective, they found themselves beneath towering cliffs with Turkish defenders holding the high ground. It’s a humbling place to begin your journey. Ari Burnu cemetery, lying between the Anzac Cove beach and the towering Plugges Plateau at the top of a steep 100 metre hill, is very moving to visit.
Anzac Cove – This narrow stretch of beach became home to thousands of Anzacs who lived and died here for eight brutal months. The cove is smaller than most people expect, which makes the achievement of the Anzacs even more remarkable. They carved an existence from this tiny foothold, under constant shellfire, never able to advance far from the sea.
Beach Cemetery – Among the white headstones in this beautifully maintained cemetery, you’ll find the final resting place of John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known as Simpson and his donkey. For 24 days, Simpson used his donkey to carry wounded soldiers down from the fighting at Shrapnel Valley to the beach aid stations, making countless trips under fire until he was killed on 19 May 1915. His selfless courage in rescuing the wounded made him an enduring symbol of the Anzac spirit.
Shrapnel Valley – This gully earned its grim name as the deadly corridor soldiers had to traverse to reach the front lines. Turkish artillery had it ranged perfectly, and crossing Shrapnel Valley was a terrifying necessity. Walking through it today, you can still see the steepness of the terrain and imagine the courage it took to make that journey day after day—the same route Simpson travelled with his donkey, saving lives.
Lone Pine – This site witnessed the campaign’s bloodiest fighting in August 1915. The battle for this position was fought hand-to-hand in the trenches, with casualties so heavy that seven Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions here—more than any other battle in the campaign. The memorial and cemetery here are deeply moving, and the original Turkish and Australian trenches are still visible.
The Nek – Perhaps no site at Gallipoli carries more emotional weight for Australians. Here, in the grey light of dawn on 7 August 1915, Light Horsemen from the 8th and 10th regiments charged across this narrow ridge into withering Turkish machine-gun fire. It was over in minutes, with hundreds cut down in one of the war’s most futile attacks. Standing on this tiny piece of ground, the tragedy becomes overwhelmingly real.
The Helles Sector
Cape Helles – At the southern tip of the peninsula, Cape Helles was the site of the main British and French landings on 25 April 1915. The fighting at Helles was brutal and very extensive. Thousands of British, French, Indian, and Anzac troops fought and died in this sector.
Krithia – The village of Krithia (now Alçitepe) was a key objective that remained out of reach throughout the campaign. Three major battles were fought in attempts to capture this village, with terrible casualties on both sides. Hundreds of Australians fought in the Third Battle of Krithia in June 1915, a largely forgotten chapter of the Anzac story – which I set out to tell the story of in my 2024 book ‘Krithia – The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli’. The Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery and other memorials in this area commemorate the thousands who fell in these battles.
Turkish Martyrs’ Memorial (Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial) – This towering monument at Cape Helles honours the estimated 253,000 Turkish soldiers who died defending their homeland during the Gallipoli campaign. Standing 41.7 metres high, it’s visible from across the peninsula and serves as a powerful reminder that this was a tragedy for both sides. The memorial’s four pillars represent the four main battle areas, and visiting it provides important perspective—the Turkish defenders showed the same courage and sacrifice as the Anzacs, fighting to protect their homeland.
Experiencing Anzac Day at Gallipoli
The Dawn Service Experience
Attending the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every year on 25 April, thousands of Australians and New Zealanders make the pilgrimage to Anzac Cove to honour those who served and sacrificed.
The Dawn Service takes place at the Anzac Commemorative Site, beginning at 5:30 AM, but those attending the service are required to arrive many hours prior to this to go through security and get settled in. As the sun rises over the Dardanelles and illuminates the steep cliffs behind the cove, the reality of what our soldiers faced becomes starkingly clear. The service includes speeches from dignitaries, prayers, hymns, national anthems, and the haunting notes of the Last Post echoing through the dawn stillness.
Following the Dawn Service, commemorative ceremonies continue at Lone Pine Cemetery for Australians and Chunuk Bair for New Zealanders. Attending these services requires quite extensive walking—approximately 8 kilometres over steep and uneven terrain—so physical fitness is important. The Department of Veterans Affairs does offer registration for assistance, but this is limited.
Important Logistics for Anzac Day
Attending Anzac Day at Gallipoli requires advance planning:
- Registration Required: All attendees must register online for a free attendance pass. Entry to the commemorative sites is not permitted without this pass.
- Arrival Time: Most visitors arrive at the site in the dark, many hours before dawn, to secure a good position.
- Weather Conditions: Even in April, temperatures can be near freezing before dawn. Bring warm clothing, blankets, and layers.
- Facilities: There are limited facilities on site—no running water, power (except for the service), or permanent shelter. Bring essential supplies including water, snacks, and any prescription medications.
- Walking: Expect to do significant walking throughout the day, much of it uphill on uneven surfaces.
Benefits of Travelling with an Experienced Operator
While it’s possible to attend Anzac Day independently, travelling with an experienced operator like Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours offers significant advantages:
Expert Historical Context: Our tours are led by expert World War I historians who bring the battlefields to life with their deep knowledge and engaging storytelling. They can explain not just what happened, but why it matters, connecting the broader strategic picture with individual stories of courage and sacrifice.
Comprehensive Battlefield Touring: Beyond the Dawn Service itself, our Anzac Day tours include extensive touring of the Gallipoli battlefields in the days before and after 25 April. You’ll visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Shrapnel Valley, Quinn’s Post, the Nek, Chunuk Bair, and many other sites, including lesser-known locations that most visitors never see.
Logistical Support: We handle all the complex logistics—transportation from Istanbul, accommodation near Gallipoli, instructions for Dawn Service registration, coordination of the busy schedule on Anzac Day itself. This allows you to focus entirely on the experience rather than worrying about arrangements.
Personal Connections: If you have relatives who fought and died at Gallipoli, our Historians can often take you to pay respects at their grave or memorial site, if this falls within the tour area. This personal connection transforms the experience into something deeply meaningful. At Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, we also offer Private tours which can be more tailored to follow Anzac relatives or visit additional sites.
Exclusive Insights: Our tours include visits to out-of-the-way sites and perspectives that only come from decades of battlefield expertise. We don’t just show you the famous locations—we help you understand the terrain, the tactics, and the human stories behind the history.
Visiting Gallipoli Throughout the Year
While Anzac Day is the most famous time to visit Gallipoli, travelling outside of this peak period offers distinct advantages. The battlefields are quieter, allowing for deeper reflection and more thorough exploration.
Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours Options
We offer several ways to experience Gallipoli throughout the year, each designed to suit different needs and travel styles:
Private Gallipoli Tours
Our Gallipoli Private Tours offer the ultimate in flexibility and personalisation. These tours are perfect for couples, families, or small groups who are seeking an experience tailored to their schedule or specific interests – allowing flexible departure dates, the option to travel with an English-speaking guide, or travel with our expert Historian.
Scheduled Group Tours
All our scheduled group tours are led by expert Historians who bring the history to life.
I have personally designed these tours to ensure you experience the full story of the Gallipoli campaign, from the initial landings through to the evacuation. We get off the beaten path to explore battlefield sites that casual visitors rarely see.
Our 8-day Anzac Day at Gallipoli tour visits all the key sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and includes attendance at the Dawn Service on Anzac Day. It also includes exploration of Ancient Troy en-route back to Istanbul.
Each year we also offer a Gallipoli Discovery Tour in August or September which includes comprehensive touring of the Anzac sector, Cape Helles, Krithia and Suvla Bay. This tour strikes the perfect balance between structured itinerary and group camaraderie, and includes a visit to Ancient Troy on-route back to Istanbul.
Custom Group Tours
For organisations, schools, special interest groups – such as an RSL, group of history enthusiasts or sports club, or group of 15+ friends or families travelling together, we specialise in creating custom group tours tailored to your specific needs and interests.
School Groups: We create age-appropriate educational tours for schools, helping students understand this pivotal moment in Australian history. Our historians are experienced educators who know how to engage young people and bring history to life. These tours can be coordinated with your school’s curriculum and include pre-trip educational materials.
Flexible Itineraries: Custom tours can be adjusted in length, focus, and budget to meet your group’s needs. We can combine Gallipoli with other destinations in Turkey or incorporate the tour into a broader European itinerary.
What Makes Our Tours Special
After decades of walking these battlefields and studying the campaign, I’ve personally designed every one of our Gallipoli tours. Here’s what sets them apart:
Authentic Expertise: All our tours are led by genuine World War I historians, not just general tour guides. These experts have dedicated their careers to understanding the Gallipoli campaign and have the knowledge to answer even the most detailed questions.
Comprehensive Coverage: We don’t just visit the famous sites. Our tours include locations that rarely appear on standard itineraries, giving you a complete understanding of the campaign from the initial landings to the August offensive and eventual evacuation.
Personal Touch: This is a family business built on 40 years in the Australian travel industry. We understand what Australian and New Zealand travellers expect and value, and we’re committed to providing not just a tour, but a meaningful and memorable experience.
All-Inclusive Approach: Most expenses are included in your tour price—accommodation, transportation, entrance fees, many meals, and gratuities. Once you’re on tour, there’s very little need to put your hand in your pocket.
Quality Standards: We use comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, quality accommodation well-located near sites of interest, and ensure high standards throughout your journey.
Making It Happen
Whether you choose to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service or explore the battlefields during a quieter time of year, walking this historic battlefield creates an understanding that no book or documentary can replicate.
For more information about our Gallipoli tours, or to discuss which option best suits your needs, visit www.battlefields.com.au or speak to our team: phone / email:
Mat McLachlan is Australia’s leading battlefield historian, author of the definitive guides to Gallipoli and the Western Front, and founder of Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours. For over two decades, he has been following in the footsteps of Australian troops on battlefields around the world, sharing their stories with thousands of Australian travellers.
