Australian War Memorial
Pay tribute and remember the heroes of the Australian Defence Force who served in many wars across the 20th and 21st centuries.
In Canberra, you'll visit the monumental War Memorial and Museum, which along with Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance is one of the most important memorial sites in all of Australia.
The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is a major attraction in Canberra.
A majestic museum and shrine
The memorial building stands at the end of the wide Anzac Parade and is built in a truly monumental style.
The monument was opened in 1941 and is built in Art Deco style with elements of Byzantine and Egyptian architecture.
What will you see inside?
Although it was originally only intended to serve as a memorial to the fallen heroes of the First World War, it gradually expanded during the 20th century as more and more conflicts came and went.
Australian soldiers participated extensively in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and were also present in large numbers in Afghanistan after 2001.
The memorial reflects all these conflicts.
The central room is the shrine under the dome with the tomb of the unknown soldier.
The interiors include memorabilia and photographs from all the conflicts.
The outdoor arcades are fitted with huge panels of the Roll of Honour of all fallen Australian soldiers in all wars.
Admission and opening hours
Admission to the memorial is free.
Opening hours are from 9am-4:30pm each day, with the last entry at 4pm.
Official website and current opening hours: awm.gov.au/visit.
You will go through a security check before entering.
How to get in
The Australian War Memorial is located in the eastern part of the centre under Mount Ainslie.
The lightly frequented 54 bus service runs directly past the memorial in the direction of the centre.
The following bus routes run along Constitution Avenue about 1km from the memorial (you can combine this with a walk along Anzac Parade):
- direction Downtown - R3, 56, 59, 182
- direction CBR Airport - R3
- direction Government Quarter (Barton) - 59, 59, 182
Find out more about travelling by bus in the chapter Transport in Canberra.
Hotels in the area
If you are visiting Canberra for just 1 night and the War Memorial is your main destination, it makes sense to stay at one of the hotels at the southern end of Anzac Parade about 800 metres from the Memorial.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Canberra.
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