Opened in 1941, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra honours the country's citizens who died in war during the 20th century. Many flock to pay their respects in the museum's commemorative areas and sculpture garden. There are also fascinating gallery exhibits.
The sacrifice made by Australian soldiers in the First World War at Gallipoli in 1915 was the spur for the memorial's founder, C E W Bean, to think about a national commemoration for the war dead and wounded. His wish for an area of Australian land bequeathed to the memory of those lost on foreign fields developed slowly over the decades, culminating in the return in 1993 of the body of an unknown soldier, from Adelaide Cemetery near Villers-Bretonneaux, to Australia to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities. The tomb of the unknown soldier was scattered with soil from the Pozieres battlefield.
The complex also houses an eternal flame, peace garden and moving walls of remembrance stuffed with red poppies. Inside, there's a fascinating museum, with broad appeal. There are planes and submarines, films, interactive displays as well as moving exhibits dealing with individuals. Allow the best part of a day to do the site justice.