Anzac Day in the city is a powerful experience. The crowds at Martin Place or the Shrine of Remembrance are huge, and the atmosphere is electric.
But if you want to understand the true impact of the Anzac legacy, you need to head to the country.
Almost every regional town in Australia, no matter how small, has a cenotaph. Seeing a list of names that matches the size of the town’s population is a sobering reminder of what was lost.
This long weekend, consider skipping the beach trip and taking a drive to one of these significant regional memorials.
The Pilgrimage: Australian War Memorial (Canberra)
The Drive: It is the ultimate Anzac destination. The drive to Canberra from Sydney (3 hours) or Melbourne (7 hours) is a rite of passage for many Australians.
The Experience: The Dawn Service at the War Memorial is something everyone should attend at least once. But the drive itself sets the mood. The Remembrance Driveway along the Hume Highway is dotted with rest stops dedicated to VC winners. It turns the journey into a history lesson before you even arrive.
The Hidden Gem: Gallipoli to Armistice Memorial (Maryborough, QLD)
The Drive: About three hours north of Brisbane, Maryborough is famous for being the birthplace of P.L. Travers (Mary Poppins), but its military history is just as significant.
The Experience: Queens Park is home to one of the best regional memorials in the country. The “Gallipoli to Armistice” memorial is immersive, featuring audio stories of local soldiers and a stunning steel sculpture that traces the trench lines. It is a powerful, tactile experience that is well worth the drive up the Bruce Highway.
The Border Marker: Monument Hill (Albury, NSW)
The Drive: Sitting right on the border of NSW and Victoria, Albury is a perfect stopover if you are doing the big interstate drive.
The Experience: You can’t miss it. The massive white memorial sits atop the hill at the end of the main street, overlooking the entire city. The walk up is steep, but the view at sunrise is unmatched. It is a quiet, peaceful place to reflect on the sacrifice of the border communities.
See the Real Australia
Visiting these towns supports regional communities and keeps the history alive. But these monuments aren’t always easy to get to on a bus or train. To see the true scale of the country, you need to drive it.
When you are looking for reliable car hire in Australia, you need a vehicle that can handle the city streets and the country highways. We have depots across the East Coast to get you from the capital cities to the quiet country towns safely and comfortably.
Book your journey today. This long weekend, take the time to explore. Check our fleet availability above and plan a trip that pays respect to the past.
Lest we forget.