Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial in Braddon, Canberra, brings together a place of remembrance, a museum and an archive. Its focus is Australia’s continuing story of military service, sacrifice and conflict, with exhibitions and resources intended to support both remembrance and a deeper understanding of the country’s wartime experience. Entry and parking are free, and the Memorial is open daily except Christmas Day.

The galleries draw on more than 7,000 objects from the National Collection. Standout spaces include the Commemorative Courtyard, the Roll of Honour, the Hall of Memory, the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and the Sculpture Garden. The Roll of Honour records the names of more than 103,000 Australian service members who died during, or as a result of, war service. The Hall of Memory sits above the Pool of Reflection, while the Sculpture Garden provides an outdoor setting for quiet thought and remembrance.

The Memorial’s dioramas are another distinctive part of the experience. The First World War dioramas were created in the 1920s, with Korean dioramas added in 2007, and remain a notable way of presenting the danger and destruction of battle. New Anzac Hall galleries examine Afghanistan, peacekeeping and the Middle East. Visitors can also use a highlights audio tour covering the First and Second World War galleries and the Hall of Valour, with optional content on conflicts from 1945 to today. The tour is available in English, Mandarin and Hindi, with an Auslan mode.

There is plenty here for visitors who want to spend time with objects, names and personal histories rather than simply view a collection of displays. The Memorial’s podcast, Through Their Eyes, explores the human stories connected to conflict, while its events program includes ceremonies, talks and tours. Resources on Indigenous service address the wartime experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a content warning that some material includes the names, images and objects of deceased people.

The Memorial suits solo visitors, families, school groups and anyone interested in Australian history, remembrance or military service. Its combination of formal commemorative spaces, detailed galleries and areas for reflection allows visitors to set their own pace, whether they come for a focused visit or a longer look through the collection.