×

Australia🇦🇺 | attractionsAustralian War MemorialPool of Reflection, Last Post, Lancaster bomber, Anzac Parade | things to do and best time to go

Explore Melbourne MuseumExplore Powerhouse Museum

Backpacking in Australian War Memorial
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Entry is free, and the Last Post Ceremony at closing time is the one thing here worth planning your whole afternoon around. The Australian War Memorial sits at the head of Anzac Parade in Canberra, Australia’s capital, with Mount Ainslie rising behind it. It works as shrine, museum and archive at once, which is why the galleries are huge and why experienced travelers split them over two visits instead of marching through in a death-grip of audio guides. Crowds thin out after lunch, so go then. I walked up the Parade expecting a museum and was met by a copper-domed hush, and I promptly lowered my voice like I had walked into someone’s living room. Bags must go through security and big packs go in lockers, so travel light and skip the argument. It is sobering rather than fun, and the pacing is slow by design. Thoughtful history lovers will get the most from it, while anyone wanting thrills or a quick photo stop will be restless.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Australia Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 attraction in AustraliaThe unique appeal for travelers

Start with the Last Post Ceremony, held every afternoon at closing. Staff and volunteers tell the story of one name from the Roll of Honour, which carries more than 100,000 names, and then a bugler plays. It is short, unscripted in feel and far more affecting than you expect from a daily ritual.

The second reason is the collection. Entry costs nothing, yet the galleries hold aircraft, a Lancaster bomber, midget submarines and the personal objects of ordinary soldiers. Few free attractions in the world offer that depth, and it explains much of how Australians think about service, loss and national identity. Nowhere else will you understand Anzac Day as quickly.

Finally, it anchors any Canberra stop. The city can feel like a collection of government buildings, and the memorial gives it an … read more 👉
Start with the Last Post Ceremony, held every afternoon at closing. Staff and volunteers tell the story of one name from the Roll of Honour, which carries more than 100,000 names, and then a bugler plays. It is short, unscripted in feel and far more affecting than you expect from a daily ritual.

The second reason is the collection. Entry costs nothing, yet the galleries hold aircraft, a Lancaster bomber, midget submarines and the personal objects of ordinary soldiers. Few free attractions in the world offer that depth, and it explains much of how Australians think about service, loss and national identity. Nowhere else will you understand Anzac Day as quickly.

Finally, it anchors any Canberra stop. The city can feel like a collection of government buildings, and the memorial gives it an emotional center. Pair it with a walk along Anzac Parade and you have a full, meaningful day without paying a cent.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Commemorative Area and Pool of Reflection: The memorial’s best-known image, a courtyard with a still pool, the Eternal Flame and the Roll of Honour panels. Visitors often leave poppies beside names.
  2. Hall of Memory: A domed chamber lined with mosaic tiles, built around the tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. Quiet, dim and striking.
  3. Last Post Ceremony: Held at closing each day, a spoken biography of one fallen service member followed by the bugle call. Arrive early for a spot near the pool.
  4. Roll of Honour: Bronze panels carrying the names of Australians who died in conflict. Poppies tucked in beside names show how personal the place is.
  5. Lancaster bomber G for George: A World War II Lancaster that flew 90 missions, displayed in the Anzac Hall setting. Its scale and battered state say more than
… read more 👉
  1. Commemorative Area and Pool of Reflection: The memorial’s best-known image, a courtyard with a still pool, the Eternal Flame and the Roll of Honour panels. Visitors often leave poppies beside names.
  2. Hall of Memory: A domed chamber lined with mosaic tiles, built around the tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. Quiet, dim and striking.
  3. Last Post Ceremony: Held at closing each day, a spoken biography of one fallen service member followed by the bugle call. Arrive early for a spot near the pool.
  4. Roll of Honour: Bronze panels carrying the names of Australians who died in conflict. Poppies tucked in beside names show how personal the place is.
  5. Lancaster bomber G for George: A World War II Lancaster that flew 90 missions, displayed in the Anzac Hall setting. Its scale and battered state say more than any caption.
  6. First World War Galleries: Dioramas, uniforms and artifacts tracing Gallipoli and the Western Front. The dioramas are detailed and absorbing.
  7. Aircraft Hall: Suspended and floor-mounted aircraft, including Japanese and Allied machines, under a high roof. Good for anyone who struggles with heavy text panels.
  8. Anzac Parade: The wide ceremonial avenue running toward Lake Burley Griffin, lined with memorials to different campaigns. A free, flat walk that frames the dome well.
If time is short, skip Anzac Parade’s side memorials and head straight for the Commemorative Area and the ceremony.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Australian War Memorial

Highlights of Canberra Full Day Tour

Highlights of Canberra Full Day Tour

4.9(481) 8h
From €119
per personViator
Small Group Canberra Day Trip from Sydney

Small Group Canberra Day Trip from Sydney

4.5(122) 12h 30m
From €144
per personViator
Full Day Private Tour in Canberra from Canberra hotels

Full Day Private Tour in Canberra from Canberra hotels

5.0(1) 7h
From €594
per personViator
Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour

Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour

5.0(1) 8h
From €404
per personViator
Canberra City Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour

Canberra City Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour

3.0(2)
From €10.86
per personViator
Historic Canberra Family Private Walking Tour Experience

Historic Canberra Family Private Walking Tour Experience

0.0(0) 3h
From €379
per personViator
Discover Canberra: Private Full-Day Heritage Tour

Discover Canberra: Private Full-Day Heritage Tour

0.0(0) 8h
From €995
per personViator
Canberra Power Peace and History Self Guided Walking Tour

Canberra Power Peace and History Self Guided Walking Tour

0.0(0)
From €10.86
per personViator
3 Hour Historical Tour of Canberra on VR BUS for Schools

3 Hour Historical Tour of Canberra on VR BUS for Schools

0.0(0) 3h
From €362
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

The Australian War Memorial is open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), and the Last Post Ceremony at 4:30pm runs year-round, so timing is mostly about Canberra’s weather and the commemorative calendar.
  • Autumn (March to May): Days of 12 to 22°C (54 to 72°F), clear skies and golden foliage along Anzac Parade. Easily the most comfortable walking weather.
  • Winter (June to August): Frosty mornings fall to -2 to 2°C (28 to 36°F), days reach 11 to 13°C (52 to 55°F), and daylight ends around 5pm. Crowds are thin and the galleries are quiet.
  • Spring (September to November): 8 to 22°C (46 to 72°F) with blossoms in the city. School holidays bring families.
  • Summer (December to February): Highs of 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F), sometimes hotter, with daylight past 8pm. Accommodation prices rise over the
… read more 👉
The Australian War Memorial is open daily from 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), and the Last Post Ceremony at 4:30pm runs year-round, so timing is mostly about Canberra’s weather and the commemorative calendar.
  • Autumn (March to May): Days of 12 to 22°C (54 to 72°F), clear skies and golden foliage along Anzac Parade. Easily the most comfortable walking weather.
  • Winter (June to August): Frosty mornings fall to -2 to 2°C (28 to 36°F), days reach 11 to 13°C (52 to 55°F), and daylight ends around 5pm. Crowds are thin and the galleries are quiet.
  • Spring (September to November): 8 to 22°C (46 to 72°F) with blossoms in the city. School holidays bring families.
  • Summer (December to February): Highs of 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F), sometimes hotter, with daylight past 8pm. Accommodation prices rise over the holidays.
  • Anzac Day (April 25): The Dawn Service draws tens of thousands, and beds in Canberra sell out weeks ahead. Remembrance Day (November 11) is also busy.
Visit on a weekday morning and stay for the 4:30pm Last Post Ceremony to see the building at its calmest.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
australia-attraction-australian-war-memorial
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutAustralia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
The digital guide (414 pages) contains:
✅ 143 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 14, 21 & 30-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ Local customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Civic (Canberra City) is the best base, about 3 km from the memorial, with the biggest choice of hostels and the most social atmosphere. It sits at the foot of Anzac Parade, so you can walk or cycle to the memorial in 35 to 40 minutes, or catch a bus in about 10 minutes. Cafés, bars, supermarkets and the main bus interchange are all within a few blocks, and the streets are well lit and busy in the evenings.
Braddon, just north of the center, is a good second choice. Its Lonsdale Street strip of breweries, ramen counters and coffee roasters suits solo travelers who want somewhere to meet people … read more 👉
Civic (Canberra City) is the best base, about 3 km from the memorial, with the biggest choice of hostels and the most social atmosphere. It sits at the foot of Anzac Parade, so you can walk or cycle to the memorial in 35 to 40 minutes, or catch a bus in about 10 minutes. Cafés, bars, supermarkets and the main bus interchange are all within a few blocks, and the streets are well lit and busy in the evenings.
Braddon, just north of the center, is a good second choice. Its Lonsdale Street strip of breweries, ramen counters and coffee roasters suits solo travelers who want somewhere to meet people after a day at the galleries. It is a short walk from Civic and feels relaxed at night.
Reid and Campbell sit closest to the memorial, within a 10 to 15 minute walk. They are quiet, leafy and residential, with few hostels, so they suit travelers who prefer calm and a short morning walk over nightlife.
Kingston, on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin, has a foreshore dining scene and a more relaxed feel, but it is farther from the memorial and needs a bus connection.
Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A day around the Australian War Memorial runs roughly US$75 to 120 for a backpacker, and the memorial itself costs nothing. Entry is free, and travelers pay in Australian dollars for everything else.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0Free for all visitors, including the galleries and the Last Post Ceremony each afternoon.
Guided tours and talksUS$0Volunteer-led highlights tours are free. Donations are welcome at the entrance.
Special exhibitions and experiencesUS$0 to 15Most displays are free. Occasional ticketed exhibitions and simulator-style experiences carry a small fee.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 55A dorm bed in Canberra city, about 3 km (2 mi) south. Doubles in budget motels run US$85 to 130.
Accommodation (low season)US$24 to 42Winter, from June to August, brings cheaper
… read more 👉
A day around the Australian War Memorial runs roughly US$75 to 120 for a backpacker, and the memorial itself costs nothing. Entry is free, and travelers pay in Australian dollars for everything else.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0Free for all visitors, including the galleries and the Last Post Ceremony each afternoon.
Guided tours and talksUS$0Volunteer-led highlights tours are free. Donations are welcome at the entrance.
Special exhibitions and experiencesUS$0 to 15Most displays are free. Occasional ticketed exhibitions and simulator-style experiences carry a small fee.
Accommodation (high season)US$30 to 55A dorm bed in Canberra city, about 3 km (2 mi) south. Doubles in budget motels run US$85 to 130.
Accommodation (low season)US$24 to 42Winter, from June to August, brings cheaper dorm beds, though school holidays push prices up.
Local transportUS$0 to 6Buses run along Anzac Parade from the city. The walk from the center is about 40 minutes. A day pass is around US$6.
FoodUS$15 to 30The memorial café serves sandwiches and coffee at US$6 to 14 a plate. Supermarket lunches in the city cost US$5 to 9.
ParkingUS$0 to 12Parking at the memorial is free for short stays, while paid lots nearby charge by the day.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75 to 120Includes high-season dorm bed, food, local transit and a small allowance for extras.


source: awm.gov.au
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 3 to 4 hours for the main galleries, or a full day of 5 to 6 hours if you read the displays closely. The Last Post Ceremony at 4:30pm is worth staying for, and the memorial is open 10am to 5pm daily. Many travelers combine it with a walk down Anzac Parade, about 1 km to Lake Burley Griffin.
Yes, because entry is free. You get the First World War and Second World War galleries, the Hall of Memory, the aircraft in Anzac Hall and the daily free guided tours at no charge. Your only costs are food and paid weekday parking if you drive.
From Civic, walk about 3 km (35 to 40 minutes) along Constitution Avenue and Anzac Parade, or take a local bus in around 10 minutes with a MyWay card or contactless payment. Taxis and rideshares from Civic take 5 to 8 minutes and cost roughly A$12 to 20. Canberra Airport is about 8 km away, a 15 minute drive, and long-distance coaches from Sydney (about 3.5 to 4 hours) arrive at Jolimont Centre, near Civic.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian attractions near Australian War Memorial

Explore more nearby:

  • Powerhouse Museum—1785 beam engine, steam locomotive, space hardware, converted power station| 244 km away
  • Sea Life Sydney Aquarium—Shark tunnels, a dugong, reef oceanarium, king penguins| 245 km away
  • Australian Museum—Venomous creatures, megafauna skeletons, Victorian cases, opals| 245 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Australia including Australian War Memorial and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all attractions

Or checkout all Australia has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Australia
Country photo of Australia
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Most people rush past the Roll of Honour on the way to the aircraft. I would stop there first and read a few names, then notice the poppies pushed into the gaps beside them. It changes how the rest of the galleries feel. Skip the souvenir queue and give the ceremony your full attention.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story