The federal government has increased its travel advisories for Turkey in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, just weeks before thousands of Australians travel to the country for ANZAC Day commemorations.
Suicide bomb attacks in Istanbul and Ankara that have killed 80 people led the government to Thursday lift travel recommendations for Australians to ‘reconsider your need to travel' -- the level below 'do not travel'.
The particular area where Australians will mark ANZAC Day services on April 25, Canakkale and the Gallipoli peninsula, remain at ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.
The Gallipoli dawn service on ANZAC Day 2015
"The Australian Government does not take this decision lightly," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement.
"I am conscious of the effect of this on the many Australians planning to attend this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli. The Australian Government is not aware of any specific threat to ANZAC Day services planned on the Gallipoli peninsula or to other Australian interests in Turkey."
More than 8000 Australians attended ANZAC Day services at Gallipoli in 2015.
Bishop said Australians travelling to the ANZAC Day services should minimise time spent in Istanbul and Ankara.
"We continue to work very closely with New Zealand and Turkey to ensure the safety and security of Australians and New Zealanders attending the ANZAC Day ceremonies. We greatly appreciate the extensive security arrangements put in place by Turkish authorities on the Gallipoli peninsula," Bishop said.
For more information, see the Smart Traveller website.