Australian soldiers served in every major sector of the British front during the Great War. Even though this area is relatively compact, the sheer amount of activity that took place there, and the long periods of time over which it occurred, means that there is much to be seen today.

Visitors to the battlefields are often unsure where they should go, what they should see and how much time they should spend. For those visitors primarily interested in specific Australian sites the problem is compounded, and it can often be difficult to identify the most important Australian sites. The following page aims to help in this respect.

The AIF served for three years on the battlefields of Belgium and northern France, and it would take the modern visitor just as long to see every site of Australian significance. There are 510 cemeteries alone that contain Australian burials, as well as hundreds of battlefields, memorials, pillboxes and museums that are important to Australians.

As an absolute minimum, the most important Australian sites can be seen in three days. This would be an express tour, however, visiting only the major attractions, with limited time for further sightseeing and exploring.

The ideal tour length is five to six days. This allows time to see all the major sites at a relaxed pace, plus some lesser-known sites of Australian significance. It is often these lesser-known sites, a little off the beaten track, that provide the most rewarding experiences for visitors. With five or six days in the region, visitors can also explore the battlefields in greater depth, and spend time walking the fields and woods.

For Great War enthusiasts, two weeks on the battlefields should provide enough time to see every significant battlefield site, both to Australians and other nationalities. A comprehensive tour of this type also allows plenty of time to explore the former battlefields and seek out little-known sites. It should be said, however, that a visit to the battlefields can be emotionally draining, and a two-week tour should really only be undertaken by those with a major interest in the war.

The following itineraries are suggestions only. If you have a specific interest, such as a certain battlefield or the grave of a family member, the itineraries can be adjusted accordingly.

For more information on destinations listed in the itinerary, obtain a copy of John Laffin’s excellent guidebook Australian Battlefields of the Western Front, or visit the Mini Guides section of this site by clicking here.

The tours begin in Belgium but can easily be reversed. If beginning in France, consider visiting the battlefields in the Somme before visiting those in the Aisne. The Somme battlefields represent great sacrifice during the dark years of 1916 and 1917 and are therefore more appropriately visited before those in the Aisne, the scene of great Allied victories in 1918.
 

Three-Day Itinerary

This short tour allows time to visit the most historically and emotionally important Australian sites on the Western Front. 

Day One: The Ypres Salient

The area around the Belgian town of Ypres (“Ieper” in Flemish) saw some of the most brutal fighting of the war. The AIF took part in a number of important actions here in 1917 and many important Australian sites are located in and around the town. The essential sites are:

- Ypres town, including the “In Flanders Fields” Museum, Menin Gate, St George’s Memorial Church, Lille Gate and Hell Fire Corner.
- Polygon Wood and the Fifth Division Memorial.
- Messines Ridge.
- Broodseinde Ridge and Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele.
- Talbot House in Poperinge and the nearby Lijssenthoek Cemetery.

Overnight: Ypres (Ieper)

Day Two: French Flanders and the Somme

The scene of terrible fighting in 1916 and 1917. The essential sites are:

- Fromelles battlefield, the Australian Memorial and VC Corner Australian Cemetery.
- Anzac Cemetery at Sailly-sur-Lys, near Fromelles.
- Bullecourt battlefield and the Australian memorials.
- Australian Cemetery, Noreuil.
- Pozieres battlefield, including the First and Second Division Memorials; Mouquet Farm; Thiepval Memorial to the Missing; AIF Burial Ground, Flers; Pozieres British Cemetery.
- Australian Cemetery, Bapaume.
- Third Division Memorial, Sailly-le-Sec.

Overnight: Albert

Day Three: The Somme (continued) and the Aisne

The scene of Australia’s great victories in 1918. The essential sites are:

- The town of Villers-Bretonneaux, including the Australian National Memorial and the museum at Victoria School.
- The town of Hamel and the Australian Memorial Park.
- Mont St Quentin and the Second Division Memorial
- The town of Peronne, including Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
- Fourth Division Memorial, Bellinglise.
- Montbrehain and Calvaire Cemetery, the scene of the AIF’s last action of the war.

Overnight: Albert or Peronne
 

Five-Day Itinerary

Identical to the Three-Day Itinerary, with an extra day each in Ypres and Albert. This enables extra sites to be visited around each town. 

Additional sites near Ypres include: Menin Road, Celtic Wood, Ploegsteert Wood, Augustus Wood, Bremen Redoubt, Hill 60, Hooge Crater, Langemarck German Cemetery and a selection of other cemeteries. Visitors can also walk through Polygon Wood from its south-western end, following the route of the Australian attack in 1917 (click here for more details).

Additional sites near Albert include: Vimy Ridge Canadian Memorial, Sheffield Memorial Park, Newfoundland Memorial Park, Lochnager Crater and a selection of cemeteries.
 

Two-Week Itinerary

Tours of this length are best customised to the individual’s areas of interest. A typical itinerary may include four days in Ypres, five days in Albert and two days in Peronne. Needless to say, every site listed in the previous itineraries can be visited, and actions of individual battalions and units can be traced. Plenty of time is available for thorough exploration of the battlefields.
 

Please feel free to contact me for further advice about Western Front itineraries.