Located near the southern end of Hyde Park the ANZAC Memorial stands 30 metres high and is adjacent to the Pool of Reflections. The memorial is bordered by poplar trees symbolising the battle areas of France.
It was completed in 1934 as a memorial to the sacrifices and endeavours of the Australian Imperial Forces during WW1 and was designed by C. Bruce Dellit and constructed of concrete clad in stone.
On 25 April 1916, exactly one year after the landing of the Australians at ANZAC Cove, a fund was launched to erect a permanent war memorial in Sydney and by the end of the war £60,000 had been raised.
Argument followed regarding the form and location of the memorial. Suggestions included a Hall of Memories, a Cenotaph, a carillon in Centennial Park and others until in 1923, the Institute of Architects suggested the memorial be erected in Hyde Park.
While this argument continued a Cenotaph was erected in Martin Place in 1926, but it was not until 24 November 1934 the ANZAC Memorial was officially opened by HRH, the Duke of Gloucester.

At the centre of the memorial is 'The Sacrifice', a bronze group of sculptures by Raynor Hoff depicting the recumbent figure of a young warrior who has made the supreme sacrifice; his naked body lies on a shield supported by three womenfolk representing his mother, wife and sister. In the arms of one is a child representing future generations for whom the sacrifice was made.
It illustrates the tragedy of war, for those who participate and those at home enduring with quiet courage and noble resignation, the loss of sons, husbands and lovers.
The group is located in the 'Hall of Silence', and is below the eye level of visitors to the 'Hall of Memory' requiring them to bow their heads in acknowledgement of those whom it symbolises - the heroes and heroines of New South Wales in 1914-1918, 1939-1945 and later conflicts.