Gallipoli: Preparations in full swing

A New Zealand flag flutters among the headstones at Ari Burnu Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula today. Photo / NZ Herald / Alan Gibson

With just three days until the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings, preparations for commemorative ceremonies at the Gallipoli Peninsula are in full swing.

The Herald spent most of the day on the peninsula yesterday and as the hours passed, the mammoth Anzac Day makeover advanced further.

Seating and a stage area pictured under construction at ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula today. Photo / NZ Herald / Alan Gibson

Sites which are usually bare but for memorials were swarming with teams of construction and technical workers who have been tasked with preparing the areas for the 10,500 attendees and VIPS.

Thousands of red plastic seats have been erected in stands where the dawn service will be held - the Anzac Commemorative SIte.

A sea of poppy red seats await the thousands of people who will be visiting ANZAC Cove for the 100th Commemorations of the ANZAC landings. Photo / NZ Herald / Alan Gibson

Seating is also in place at Lone Pine for the official Australian service and Chunuk Bair for the New Zealand commemoration.

Centre stages are also in place, surrounded by sound and lighting equipment, and big screens were positioned yesterday to ensure all attendees get a clear view of proceedings on Saturday.

Thousands of metres of temporary fencing and portable toilets have been trucked to the peninsula and were being moved into place during the day.

The peninsula will be closed down on Friday morning for a security sweep and the roads will not be open to anyone after that. But yesterday tour buses and heavy machinery including diggers and forklifts were nose-to-tail as a mixture of visitors and workers flocked to the area.

Tourists walk among the headstones at Ari Burnu Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula today. Photo / NZ Herald / Alan Gibson

It is likely those visiting yesterday will not be at Saturday's commemorations, which are for ballot pass holders, VIPs and dignitaries only.

Construction was not the only thing increasing yesterday - the presence of police and camouflage-clad troops intensified and by late afternoon there were hundreds of gendarmerie, the local police, milling around the commemorations sites.

Traffic and motorbike police also patrolled the roads on which traffic often came to a standstill.

Officials are also working hard to ensure the day goes off without a hitch. It is understood an alternative weather plan was also being put in place. The services will all go ahead rain or shine, however if inclement weather hits the peninsula it is understood a number of shelters will be put in place in some areas.

Setting up for the Dawn Service... Back seating and standing area + front seating #Gallipoli100 pic.twitter.com/mzFBTaFgJg

— Anna Leask (@AnnaLeask) April 21, 2015

It's the one liners on the graves that really get you.... #Gallipoli100 pic.twitter.com/SFc34sSkXs

— Anna Leask (@AnnaLeask) April 21, 2015