Australian War Memorial

Wander the halls of this monument to learn about the battles fought by Australians, see military hardware and admire artworks.

The Australian War Memorial is where the country pays its respects to members of the military killed in conflicts around the world. It was completed in 1941 and is dedicated to servicemen and women from the colonial era to today. Inside the memorial complex is a museum with exhibits exploring Australia’s military history.

Be sure to set aside at least a day to see everything. Consider taking the free guided tour, which lasts 90 minutes and covers the highlights of the memorial.

Admire the statues along ANZAC Parade as you walk up to the memorial. The Byzantine-style memorial building is in a direct line of sight with the entrance of Parliament House. Walk through to the courtyard to see the memorial pool with an eternal flame at its centre and landscaped gardens either side.

The Role of Honor lines the cloisters above the courtyard. The series of bronze plaques bear the names of those killed serving the nation. You’ll notice poppies placed in gaps around the plaques by friends and relatives of the dead.

Move on to the Hall of Memory to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The walls here are decorated with mosaic tiles and stained-glass windows depicting the traits of servicemen and women. The works were done by a World War I veteran who lost an arm at the Battle of Bullecourt.

ANZAC Hall features military hardware, written accounts from soldiers and their partners, and stories about the battles fought. Head upstairs to see artifacts from both World Wars. Read about soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for members of Commonwealth armed forces, in the Hall of Valor. You’ll find exhibits about colonial and post-WWII conflicts on the ground floor.

The Australian War Memorial lies on the opposite side of Lake Burley Griffin from Parliament House, at the top of ANZAC Parade. It’s open every day except Christmas Day, and admission is free. On-site parking is available and ACTION buses from Canberra’s central business district stop here as well as other major attractions.

Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612, Australia | View Google Map

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Australian War Memorial

Mount Ainslie

See Canberra as its designer intended it to be seen, from the dramatic lookout point at the top of this picturesque mountain.

Canberra

Ever easy on the eye, Canberra is a triumph of design. Australia’s capital city was laid out by expert architects and the proof is in the panorama.

National Capital Exhibition

See the fascinating history of Canberra laid out for you through engaging and interactive exhibits in this modern, family-friendly museum.

High Court of Australia

Observe justice in action at the highest court in the land inside a modern edifice on the banks of a tranquil lake.

National Library of Australia

Explore the collections of Australia’s biggest reference library to find books from all over the world, early European maps and documents from the first explorers.

Hotels near Australian War Memorial

Novotel Canberra

65 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Australian National University and Canberra Centre. National Convention Centre and Commonwealth Park are also within 15 minutes.

Pavilion on Northbourne

242 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Dickson, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Chinatown, Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, and Australian National University. O'Connor Ridge Nature Reserve and Canberra Museum and Gallery are also within 2 mi (3 km).

ibis Styles Canberra

203 Goyder Street

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Narrabundah, this golf hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, Red Hill Nature Reserve, and Callum Brae Nature Reserve. Manuka Shopping Centre and Manuka Oval are also within 3 mi (5 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 29 minutes by foot.

QT Canberra

1 London Circuit

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Burley Griffin, National Film & Sound Archive, and Australian National University. City Hill and Canberra Museum and Gallery are also within 15 minutes.

Pacific Suites Canberra

100 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this aparthotel is within a 15-minute walk of Australian National University, Canberra Museum and Gallery, and City Hill. Canberra Centre and Civic Square are also within 15 minutes.

ibis Styles Canberra Tall Trees

21 Stephen Street

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Ainslie, this eco-friendly motel is 0.7 mi (1.2 km) from Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve and within 3 mi (5 km) of Mount Ainslie and Canberra Centre. Kamberra Function Centre and Australian War Memorial are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Crowne Plaza Canberra, an IHG Hotel

1 Binara Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Glebe Park and National Convention Centre. Civic Square and Canberra Centre are also within 10 minutes.

Forrest Hotel and Apartments

30 National Circuit

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Capital Hill, this motel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Parliament House, National Gallery of Australia, and Old Parliament House. Australian National University and Australian War Memorial are also within 6 mi (10 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 29 minutes by foot.

Canberra Rex Hotel & Serviced Apartments

150 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Braddon, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Australian National University, Canberra Museum and Gallery, and City Hill. Canberra Centre and Civic Square are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Adina Serviced Apartments Canberra Dickson

45 Dooring Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Dickson, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Australian National University, Mount Ainslie, and Australian War Memorial. Australian National Botanic Gardens and Canberra Stadium are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Garden City Hotel, Best Western Signature Collection

55 Jerrabomberra Avenue

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Narrabundah, this luxury hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, Callum Brae Nature Reserve, and Red Hill Nature Reserve. Manuka Oval and Manuka Shopping Centre are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Mercure Canberra

39 Limestone Avenue

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Braddon, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Canberra Centre, Australian War Memorial, and Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. Glebe Park and Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial are also within 1 mi (2 km).

East Hotel

69 Canberra Avenue

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Canberra aparthotel is located in the historical district, within a 10-minute walk of Manuka Oval, Manuka Shopping Centre, and The Cusack Centre. Lake Burley Griffin and East Basin are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 16 minutes by foot.

ANU - University House Hotel

1 Balmain Crescent

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Acton, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Australian National University and National Film & Sound Archive. Lake Burley Griffin and City Hill are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Adina Serviced Apartments Canberra James Court

74 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this aparthotel is within a 10-minute walk of Australian National University, Canberra Museum and Gallery, and City Hill. Civic Square and Canberra Theatre Centre are also within 10 minutes.

Mantra on Northbourne

84 Northbourne Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Australian National University and Canberra Museum and Gallery. City Hill and Civic Square are also within 15 minutes.

Burbury Hotel & Apartments

1 Burbury CloseCanberra, Canberra

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Capital Hill, this spa hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Manuka Oval, National Archives of Australia, and Manuka Shopping Centre. The Cusack Centre and Museum of Australian Democracy are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 24 minutes by foot.

Peppers Gallery Hotel

15 Edinburgh Avenue

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Canberra City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Australian National University and Lake Burley Griffin. National Film & Sound Archive and RG Menzies Walk Trailhead are also within 15 minutes.

Hotel Realm

18 National Circuit

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Capital Hill, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Manuka Oval, National Archives of Australia, and Manuka Shopping Centre. The Cusack Centre and Parliament House are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 26 minutes by foot.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra - a Park Hyatt

Commonwealth Avenue

Rated 4.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Capital Hill, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Albert Hall, British High Commission, and Embassy of China. Old Parliament House and Museum of Australian Democracy are also within 10 minutes.

Central Motel & Apartments, Signature

11 Antill Street, 11

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Queanbeyan, this hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Trinculo Place Park and within 3 mi (5 km) of Superkarts Go Karts and Queanbeyan Nature Reserve. Cuumbeun Nature Reserve is 2.7 mi (4.4 km) away. Queanbeyan Railway Station is 13 minutes by foot.

Ramada by Wyndham Diplomat Canberra

2 Hely St. cnr. Canberra Ave.

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Griffith, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Cusack Centre, Manuka Oval, and Lake Burley Griffin. East Basin and Manuka Shopping Centre are also within 1 mi (2 km). Kingston Canberra Station is 5 minutes by foot.

Quality Hotel Dickson

Corner Cape & Badham St.

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Dickson, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Chinatown, Kamberra Function Centre, and Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve. Crace Grassland Nature Reserve and O'Connor Ridge Nature Reserve are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Alivio Tourist Park Canberra

20 Kunzea Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in O'Connor, this campground is within a 5-minute walk of Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve and O'Connor Ridge Nature Reserve. Link Walk Trailhead and Black Mountain Nature Reserve are also within 15 minutes.