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ANZAC on the Western Front: Dawn Service
Tour summary
12 experiences
- Entrance to Franco-Australian Museum
- Stop at Sir John Monash Centre
- Visit Le Hamel
- Visit Pozieres, Windmill Hill, Mouquet Farm, Longueval and Thiepval Memorial
- Attend ANZAC Day Dawn Service
- Visit Pheasant Wood Cemetery
- Entrance to Museum of the Battle of Fromelles
- Visit Arras Wellington Tunnels
- Entrance to Flanders Field Museum
- Visit Hooge Crater Museum
- Attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate
- Visit Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery and Hill 60
8 meals
- 6 breakfasts
- 2 dinners
Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy
This ANZAC tour has been carefully designed to connect you to the past – and with any ancestors who may have fought and died during the Great War. Encounter tales of the soldiers who courageously captured the Messines Ridge at Passchendaele. Breathe in the scent of damp earth as you delve into the Wellington Quarries’ twisting tunnels. And pay your respects at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service as the sun begins to rise over the heroes laid to rest in Villers-Bretonneux. Join us and uncover not just their stories, but perhaps a few hidden narratives of your own.
Tour highlights
- Attend a poignant ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Villers-Bretonneux
- Delve into the Australian story on the Western Front at the Franco-Australian Museum
- Visit the Wellington Quarries – a network of tunnels dug by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company
Tour itinerary
Day 1 - Lille (France)
After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our incredible journey with a welcome dinner.
After meeting the group in Lille, we’ll kick off our incredible journey with a welcome dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Hôtel Couvent des Minimes (or similar)
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - Lille – Villers-Bretonneux – Amiens
The first day of our tour will take us from Lille to Villers-Bretonneux: home of the National War Memorial and a central location to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. We’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum, a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town from German advances. After, we’ll pay a visit to the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel, the site of the successful 4 July attack. Then, it’s onwards to Amiens – our home for the next three nights.
The first day of our tour will take us from Lille to Villers-Bretonneux: home of the National War Memorial and a central location to Australian WWI commemoration and memory. We’ll visit the Franco-Australian Museum, a site paying tribute to the brave Australian soldiers who helped to save the town from German advances. After, we’ll pay a visit to the Sir John Monash Centre before shifting our focus to the last year of the war – with a visit to Le Hamel, the site of the successful 4 July attack. Then, it’s onwards to Amiens – our home for the next three nights.
Included today
Accommodation
La Chambre d'Amiens (or similar)
Experiences
- Entrance to Franco-Australian Museum
- Stop at Sir John Monash Centre
- Visit Le Hamel
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Amiens – Somme – Amiens
The Somme still captivates the soul – and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. Today we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – sites that were especially important for Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly significant to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain – with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening will be ours to spend exploring Amiens or relaxing back at the hotel.
The Somme still captivates the soul – and it’s here that the ANZACs first saw major action in 1916. Today we’ll visit Pozières and Mouquet Farm – sites that were especially important for Australian soldiers, as well as Longueval and Flers which were similarly significant to the Kiwis. Before returning to Amiens, we’ll take some time to remember the colossal loss experienced by Great Britain – with a visit to the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. This evening will be ours to spend exploring Amiens or relaxing back at the hotel.
Included today
Accommodation
La Chambre d'Amiens (or similar)
Experiences
- Visit Pozieres, Windmill Hill, Mouquet Farm, Longueval and Thiepval Memorial
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 - Amiens – ANZAC Day Dawn Service – Amiens
We’ve an early start this morning as we make our way to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux. The memorial commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918, during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Here we’ll join locals and meet fellow Australians and New Zealanders who have journeyed here to pay tribute to the brave ANZAC soldiers. The rest of the day will be yours to spend at your leisure.
We’ve an early start this morning as we make our way to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux. The memorial commemorates the battle of 24-25 April 1918, during which Australian and Commonwealth Soldiers liberated the town. Buried here are more than 2,100 servicemen of the First World War – including over 770 Australians. Here we’ll join locals and meet fellow Australians and New Zealanders who have journeyed here to pay tribute to the brave ANZAC soldiers. The rest of the day will be yours to spend at your leisure.
Included today
Accommodation
La Chambre d'Amiens (or similar)
Experiences
- Attend ANZAC Day Dawn Service
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Amiens – Arras and Fromelles – Ypres (Belgium)
Today’s first stop? The Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels the New Zealand Tunnelling Company built as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. Later, we’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Then, we’ll move on to Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916. Here, take the time to pay your respects with a poignant visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the incredible exhibition nearby. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner together and reflect on the day’s events.
Today’s first stop? The Wellington Quarries – a network of underground tunnels the New Zealand Tunnelling Company built as part of the preparations for the Battle of Arras. Later, we’ll remember Australia’s role in this battle at Bullecourt with a stop at the Digger Memorial later this afternoon. Then, we’ll move on to Fromelles, the site of the disastrous attack of 19 July 1916. Here, take the time to pay your respects with a poignant visit to Pheasant Wood Cemetery and the incredible exhibition nearby. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner together and reflect on the day’s events.
Included today
Accommodation
Albion Hotel (or similar)
Experiences
- Visit Pheasant Wood Cemetery
- Entrance to Museum of the Battle of Fromelles
- Visit Arras Wellington Tunnels
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 6 - Ypres
After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front with an included visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, we’ll visit the shell-scarred Hill 60 and fascinating Hooge Crater Museum before walking in the footsteps of WWI soldiers at the Passchendaele battlefields – where allied forces fought to break the German line in 1917. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years.
After breakfast, we’ll continue to delve into the moving stories of the West Flanders Front with an included visit to the In Flanders Fields Museum – a unique institution that commemorates the four-year trench war and conveys a contemporary message of peace. This afternoon, we’ll visit the shell-scarred Hill 60 and fascinating Hooge Crater Museum before walking in the footsteps of WWI soldiers at the Passchendaele battlefields – where allied forces fought to break the German line in 1917. This evening we’ll reconvene to attend the playing of the Last Post at the iconic Menin Gate. Whilst renovation to the Gate is ongoing, we’ll still be able to experience the ceremony that has been performed here daily for almost 100 years.
Included today
Accommodation
Albion Hotel (or similar)
Experiences
- Entrance to Flanders Field Museum
- Visit Hooge Crater Museum
- Attend the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7 - Ypres – Lille (France)
Before returning to Lille, we’ll have the opportunity to pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery – the site where 11,900 Commonwealth servicemen of WWI are commemorated.
Before returning to Lille, we’ll have the opportunity to pay our respects at Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery – the site where 11,900 Commonwealth servicemen of WWI are commemorated.
Included today
Experiences
- Visit Polygon Wood and Tyne Cot Military Cemetery and Hill 60
Meals
- Breakfast
Worth noting:
You can choose between two directions on this tour: southbound or northbound. Simply view and select your preferred route by clicking on the buttons above!
Things we think you'll love
A soldier's war home
Deep below the cobblestones of Arras lies a network of underground tunnels specifically dug by ANZAC soldiers to create a network of barracks. With an expert as our guide, we'll trace our fingers across rough walls and hear the whisperings of their stories.
Golden dawn services
Join locals and visitors alike as the first golden light of the day spills across Villers-Bretonneux at a beautiful ANZAC Day Dawn Service.
Heroic Front tales
Discover heroic tales from the Western Front during an in-depth visit to the Hooge Crater Museum.
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo
Anonymous October 2025
Enjoyable and detailed tour
Helen October 2025
This tour ticked every box. Great itinerary, very informative and knowledgeable tour leader. Hotels were comfortable. Admin staff were very helpful leading up to the trip.
Anonymous October 2025
No matter what you have read or seen this tour gives a greater appreciation of the devastation & horror of WW1. Appreciated the effort to find deceased relatives grave & wall engraving. In my...
Read full reviewJanette Wa October 2025
I would highly recommend the ANZACS on the Western Front to anyone with and interest in history or making a personal journey to honour family in the Battlefields. Steve is an excellent guide. He is...
Read full reviewAnonymous October 2025
Brilliant tour with fantastic guide. Fabulous driver. Great selection of important museums and WW1 sites. There is a lot to do each day, a reasonable amount of walking, so you need to be moderately...
Read full reviewAnonymous October 2025
Emotional, informative and a full on trip through the history of WW1.
A nice size group of likewise people on a personal history of their forebears.
Our guide Steve went out of his way to accommodate...
Anonymous August 2025
We recently did this tour through France and Germany. We learnt a lot about the different battles and saw some amazing monuments, sights and museums related to WW1. This included the Australian War...
Read full reviewGeoff Kn August 2025
Highly recommend this tour. Well organised. We learnt so much. Steve's (tour guide) knowledge on the Battle fields is fantastic. Hard to believe what happened over 100 years ago.
David La August 2025
Very professional & great team would highly recommend to others interested in visiting the western front history. Both our tour guide Steve & driver Ken awesome. Dave from Australia
Martin Co July 2025
Steve was excellent.You could not find a better person for the job.The accommodation first night was great but the rest was very average.
Anonymous July 2025
A comprehensive trip.....Steve certainly knows his stuff. Long days and lots of information and yet we only touched the surface.
I certainly left the trip with a greater understanding of The Great War...
Raymond Ad May 2025
The journey and the content were excellent. As a group we jelled together and built a supportive cohort of learners and explorers, everyone had something to offer. Our leader Steve Western was top...
Read full reviewAnonymous May 2025
Our expectations were more than met. Our guide, Steve was extremely knowledgeable . He was patient, and his attention to detail was excellent.. He arranged for us to visit the grave of my husband’s...
Read full reviewTiffany Jo May 2025
The tour guide Steve was brilliant. He went over and beyond with every aspect of the tour. His knowledge of World War 1 was incredible. Nothing was ever a problem for him and was consistently flexible...
Read full reviewSteven May 2025
Absolutely brilliant tour full of information and site visits making this period of history much clearer to me. Would recommend this tour to everyone.
Andrew Ni May 2025
Great tour, one of the best I have been on. Made excellent by our Guide, Steve.
Adrienne Ma October 2024
Stephen was very knowledgeable about world war 1 thankyou stopping at Spoilbank Cemetery were Ralph George Newbery has a grave.Petey was a very good driver
Anonymous October 2024
Every spot had a point. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was happy to answer questions and research family history. The countryside was lovely and the highlights just too numerous to mention
Jan Pa September 2024
The 6 day Backroad Tour of the World War One Battlefields is a trip that will always have great memories for me. Every member of our group got on so well together. Steve our Tour Guide I Commented to...
Read full reviewJohn Br September 2024
This has been a most rewarding experience, thanks to Seve guiding us through with his comprehensive knowledge of the 1914-18 war. There was the sadness of the enormous loss of life, but it was so...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2024
Steve was an excellent guide, he knew the geographical area and local history well and was never stumped when answering questions from the group , his knowledge of WWI battles and places was extensive...
Read full reviewYvonne Ro September 2024
Fun group, excellent guide Steve who was very well informed.
Anonymous August 2024
Your guide Steve and driver Ken were excellent, it was 6-day tour that Steve was able the fill with the facts and stories of the life and death on the Western Front. As I was an ex-soldier with a fair...
Read full reviewJoanne So July 2024
We felt well looked after by both our guide and driver. The tour was taken at a steady pace. Lots of detail given st each stop. Well worth the time to do.
Ian Ho July 2024
Very informed and emotional Tour, highlights were laying a wreath at the Menin Gate and being present at a re-burial of an unknown British Soldier.
Gave an excellent understanding of the lay of the...
Alan Fr June 2024
Stephen was great made the tour. Phil wash great as a driver
Duncan Ca June 2024
Steve was great guide giving lots of information without overdoing it.
Paul Ta May 2024
We toured with Steve (guide) & Ken (driver) & had a fabulous experience… enjoyed it absolutely 👍
Jeffrey St September 2023
We found the whole tour both informative and moving. Our guide Steve was amazing at the level of knowledge he possessed. If he didn’t know an answer he would research it. The coach was comfortable and...
Read full reviewWilliam Bu September 2023
He talked more about the English than the Anzac
Anonymous June 2023
Excellent driver and tour guide giving their all.
Our friendly Customer Service team are available to advise you Monday to Friday.
Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.
FAQs
We love helping our groups explore personal connections at specific historic sites or cemeteries in Belgium and France – as long as they’re not too out of the way of our official tour route. Please contact our Customer Service team before your departure and they’ll do their best to add any extra stops to your itinerary in advance.
This tour features several fascinating walking tours which take you across weather- and war-beaten battlefields, through vast and tranquil cemeteries, and into eerie subterranean caverns. We’d recommend packing your comfiest pair of walking shoes and preparing for muddy conditions on rainier days.
Our friendly Customer Service team will be in touch a few months before your tour departs to collect any extra information needed to register you for the ceremony – as you don’t need to register yourself. Please also bear in mind we may need to shuffle around some of the days’ activities so we can attend.
All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!
Download tour notesYou may also like
ANZAC on the Western Front
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WWI Battlefields
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Code: BFWLL6