Australian National Memorial
Villers-Bretonneux, France
A memorial tower and cemetery on a hill north of Villers-Bretonneux, with the Sir John Monash Centre explaining Australia’s part in the Western Front. Climb the tower for a view over the Somme.
The Australian National Memorial stands within the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, about 2 km north of the village on the former "Hill 104". Sir Edwin Lutyens designed the tower and the cemetery; King George VI unveiled the memorial on 22 July 1938. The wing walls bear the names of more than 10,700 Australian soldiers with no known grave (the sources give slightly differing figures). The site commemorates the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux on 24 April 1918 and the start of the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918.
Behind the memorial, the Sir John Monash Centre (opened in 2018) tells the story of the Australian experience on the Western Front. The tower is open daily during the centre's opening hours; at the top, an orientation table points out places with Australian connections (as of October 2026, check the times). Allow one to two hours, longer if you visit the exhibition.
- Nearest town
- Villers-Bretonneux, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 49.8850, 2.5120
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Camping Municipal Les PoissonniersCampsite2 km from Australian National Memorial · 99 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowers
- Le Pont Rouge et les VignesCampsite10 km from Australian National MemorialTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Aire Camping-Car Park Bray-sur-SommeMotorhome stopover16 km from Australian National Memorial · 10 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Les CharmillesMotorhome stopover17 km from Australian National Memorial · 27 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping du châteauCampsite18 km from Australian National Memorial · 33 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Aire d'Ailly-sur-NoyeMotorhome stopover19 km from Australian National Memorial · 6 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Australian National Memorial?
Australian National Memorial is in Villers-Bretonneux, France, at GPS 49.8850, 2.5120. It is about 16 km from Amiens.
Can you camp near Australian National Memorial?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Municipal Les Poissonniers, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 28 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Australian National Memorial?
Australian National Memorial is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Somme battlefields and Vimy Ridge.
What is there to see near Australian National Memorial?
Places worth a stop nearby: Amiens Cathedral (15 km), Lochnagar Crater (20 km), Thiepval Memorial (22 km) and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial (23 km).
When is the best time to visit Australian National Memorial?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)