Australian War Memorial

Canberra's most moving attraction is the Australian War Memorial. The huge Byzantine-style monument honours Australia's war casualties and was unveiled in the middle of WWII. However, it is more than just a war memorial. The complex has a fantastic museum, archives, art gallery, and library.

The Commemorative Courtyard at the memorial's entry is a disturbing introduction. The names of every Australian who has died in war since 1885 are inscribed in bronze on the walls of the colonnades, and the list is spine-chilling. Various galleries outside the entryway retell the stories of Australia's armed wars from colonial times to the present. The exhibitions are continually changing, but highlights include an ancient aircraft collection and a kid-friendly Discovery Zone filled with interactive displays.

Set aside several hours if possible to appreciate this thought-provoking memorial, and if you're going at the end of the day, try to stay for the Last Post, a touching homage to the deceased played everyday at 4:55pm. One of the greatest free things to do in Canberra is to visit the memorial, and the 90-minute tours are highly recommended.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

Address: Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade), Campbell

Official site: awm.gov.au