Kiwis asked to stay away from Gallipoli on Anzac Day

Thousands of young Antipodeans who visit Gallipoli are accused of damaging the environment. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Young Kiwis are being told to stay away from Gallipoli this Anzac Day, because of fears that partying Antipodeans are damaging the peninsula and disrespecting the dead.

New Zealand's national RSA president, Robin Klitscher, said yesterday that backpackers would better pay their respects by staying away. And a new Lonely Planet travel guide recommends New Zealanders and Australians stay away on Anzac Day, to save the peninsula from environmental destruction.

Tens of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders descend on Gallipoli each year to mark the anniversary of their ancestors' World War I landing. They sleep under the stars, and often drink heavily as they await the dawn prayer services.

Klitscher said the thousands of New Zealanders and Australians making the annual pilgrimage were a huge imposition on Turkish authorities, and showing restraint would be "more in keeping with honouring the Anzacs who lie there forever".

"I've heard it said that New Zealanders and others have the right to be there on Anzac Day because that's the day the memory is most deeply felt, and that could be true. But it doesn't mean that you can't soak in that aspect on other days, in fact, it's almost palpable on any day."

He said travellers should remember that Gallipoli was a place of remembrance for Turkey as well. "I know of no other instance in the world where a government has allowed peoples who have once tried to invade to come back and establish huge memorials and conduct an annual ceremony in their memory. When you think about it, that's a very generous thing to do."

Lonely Planet guidebook writer Steve Fallon has suggested visitors to Anzac Cove go any other day than April 25 to save the peninsula from damage and overcrowding.

"Supposed 'improvements' such as carparks and road-widening schemes have caused considerable damage to some areas, most shockingly at Anzac Cove," Fallon writes."Perhaps the only way to save Gallipoli is to do the 'unpatriotic' thing and stay away, at least on April 25."

Will Gourlay, Lonely Planet's commissioning editor, said he deliberated carefully before including the advice.

"There are lots of Anzac Day services that don't happen in Gallipoli ... and you can still pay your respects at any other time of the year," he told the Daily Telegraph.

In 1915, British and French forces battled for control of the Gallipoli peninsula.

Around 44,000 British and French solders died, as did 8700 Australians and 2721 New Zealanders.