9 fascinating ways to experience the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is said to be the soul of the nation, attracting nearly a million visitors each year. Here’s how to get the most out of your visit.

Most Australians have strong memories of visiting the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Today, it’s become much more than a monument to fallen soldiers; it’s a museum, archive and shrine that connects the past to the present, helping visitors understand the enduring impact of war and how it’s shaped the Australian identity.

Currently undergoing a significant renovation to tell the stories of a new generation, now’s the perfect time to return. Here are just a few highlights to experience on your next visit.

1. Critical Witness: Official war artists after 1999

One of the memorial’s most striking exhibitions is also quite new. Since the First World War, the War Art Scheme has commissioned artists to witness and document wars, conflicts and operations, and official war artists have been deployed in conflict zones to record and interpret the activities of the Australian Defence Force since 1999.

Their work hangs in the gallery on level one, and includes works by noted contemporary artists such as Ben Quilty and Wendy Sharpe. This year the Australian War Memorial appointed Australian-Ukrainian Stanislava Pinchuk as the Australian Official War Artist; she’s travelled to the UK to document Operation Kudu, where Australian troops are helping train Ukrainian recruits.

See through ana rtist’s eyes.

2. Places of Pride film and interactive map

New to the memorial is the Places of Pride film, which highlights war memorials across Australia. The Places of Pride initiative, which started in 2018, created a National Register of War Memorials, with the audiovisual presentation taking visitors across Australia to showcase its war memorials and the communities they serve. Beside the film is an interactive map, where visitors can find the memorial nearest to their home or add their local war memorial.

3. New and returning art pieces

After undergoing extensive renovations, the Australian War Memorial has three new features designed to enhance the visitor experience.

The first is the oculus at the southern entrance to the memorial. The installation’s steel frame and inverted glass panels are designed to be a visual inversion of the memorial dome, with the 15 qualities from the stained-glass windows of the Hall of Memory transcribed into the floor. Complementing the dome is a new glasswork sculpture by internationally praised artist Annette Blair. Called Quiet Skies. As the sun rises. As the sun sets, the glass artwork is suspended over the east and west visitor staircases and features 800 hanging leaves.

Lastly, the much-loved sculpture of Simpson and his donkey has returned to the memorial. One of the best-known Australian wartime stories, the story of the man who rescued wounded men in Gallipoli with his donkey is an ANZAC legend.

Keep an eye out, as new galleries will progressively open until 2028.

Gaze at the oculus.

4. Last Post Ceremony

The Last Post Ceremony, held in the Commemorative Courtyard daily at 4:30pm, is a truly stirring experience. The solemn ceremony first shares the individual story of one of the more than 103,000 personnel who died in service, after which the Last Post is played. If you have a family member on the Roll of Honour you can request ahead of time for their story to be told at a future ceremony.

Witness a stirring Last Post Ceremony. (Image: Visit Canberra)

5. Australian War Memorial’s free daily tours

One of the best ways to see this Canberra museum is with a guide. Each day, a dedicated team of volunteers lead free tours emphasising the human stories behind the historical events and moments covered in the galleries and Commemorative Area. No two tours are the same and guides train for months to help visitors get the most from their visit. These daily tours take 80 minutes; ask the friendly staff about the tour schedule.

Join a free tour with volunteer guides. (Image: Visit Canberra)

6. Charles Bean Research Centre

Visitors to the Australian War Memorial can take a step towards understanding their own family history at the Charles Bean Research Centre, opening soon. While many official records, photographs, diaries and letters can be found in the online digital collection, the majority of records held onsite are yet to be digitised and can only be viewed in person at the soon to be opened research centre. Book in advance if you wish to access these original records.

Research your own family history. (Image: Visit Canberra)

7. Australian War Memorial’s Sculpture Garden

Located west of the main building, the Australian War Memorial’s Sculpture Garden was established in 1999 and includes sculptures and memorials for Australian service personnel.

See the remarkable new sculpture For Every Drop Shed in Anguish, which recognises and commemorates the suffering caused by war and military service. Created by artist Alex Seton, it’s said to provide a place for those who have experienced and witnessed the ongoing trauma that can result from service.

Wander through the sculpture garden. (Image: Visit Canberra)

8. The Memorial Shop

If you’d like to take home a souvenir to remember your visit, drop into the onsite shop, which has been relocated and significantly expanded. Now found in the Main Entrance Foyer, the new shop includes a range of products, including books and media, commemorative gifts like lapel pins and medal boxes, and excellent gifts and collectables, including patch cloths and model planes.

Take home a souvenir of this Canberra icon.

9. Poppy’s Cafe

With so many stories and so much ground to cover, Poppy’s Cafe is a great place to sit down and recharge before continuing your visit. The onsite cafe includes outdoor terrace seating and also offers takeaway options for those who need to grab and go. The breakfast and lunch options are complemented by an expanded kid’s menu, which also includes a Ration Pack with a keepsake to take home.

Enjoy a tasty treat. (Image: Instagram/ @poppyscafeawm)

Find out more about the Australian War Memorial at awm.gov.au/visit.