The Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra welcomed more than 76,000 visitors over the 2025–26 festive season, cementing it as one of the city's busiest cultural destinations. With major new exhibitions and galleries opening in 2026, it promises an even more immersive experience for travellers to the nation's capital.

“For travellers, the Memorial offers more than quiet reflection,” said AWM Director Matt Anderson.
“It's a place where aviation icons arrive by road through suburban streets, conservation labs prepare objects unseen for decades, and national stories continue to evolve in real time. Every visit is a chance to connect with Australia's history in a tangible, immersive way.”

During the landmark's redevelopment in the 12 months, locals and visitors alike have stopped to watch groundbreaking moments, such as when a Hornet aircraft completed a 38-kilometre journey across Canberra to reach its new home inside the AWM's Aircraft Hall, within the new Anzac Hall, both of which open to visitors from mid-2026.

Despite major construction works, the Australian War Memorial has stayed open 364 days a year, continuing to rank in the top 1 per cent of Tripadvisor attractions worldwide, and welcoming 1.14 million visitors in the past financial year alone.

“Seeing more than 76,000 visitors come through the Memorial over the summer period highlights just how engaged people are with our stories,” said AWM Head of Ceremonies and Visitor Events, Sarah Hitchcock.
“It's a reminder that our redevelopment is not just about new galleries, but about creating experiences that resonate with Australians and international visitors alike.”

In 2026, the visitor experience will expand further, with more than 7,000 square metres of new gallery space opening, including major new exhibitions exploring Afghanistan, Peacekeeping, and the Middle East. Many of the objects on display will be shown publicly for the very first time.

“For travellers seeking meaningful, uniquely Australian experiences in 2026, the Memorial offers something rare,” said Mr Anderson.
“It's a place where history, spectacle and reflection intersect, and a visit today offers a glimpse into a destination still actively unfolding, where new stories of our nation continue to come to life”.

AWM DEVELOPMENT FAST FACTS

• One new Anzac Hall, opening 2026.

THE PEOPLE

• 79 veterans worked on New Anzac Hall with 23,952 hours contributed
• First Nations Australians on the project *39,406 hours delivered
• $6.4m awarded to 5 Indigenous businesses
• 257 apprentices trained on site

THE BUILD

• The two floors of New Anzac Hall are each equivalent of 2 Olympic-sized pools
• 500,000 L grey-water storage used for cleaning, watering and bushfire protection
• 160,000 tonnes of soil moved = 60 Olympic pools; 99% reused 
• 1,948 workers, 700,000+ labour hours, 1,110 build days
• 8,055 m³ of concrete poured using non-potable water

THE CONTENT

• 2,261 community consultations with 25,000 attendees
• Over 11,000 consultations on gallery content
• Over 1,200 stories being told
• Over 750 new stories being told about modern conflicts (Afghanistan, Middle East and Peacekeeping)
• 3600 objects
• 33 Large Technology Objects
• 134 AV/ multimedia experiences which include 6,000 photographs film and sound collection items
• Over 100,000 words written for 2,200 label

THE BIG MOVES

• Hornet: widest load moved from Mitchell to the Memorial
• 38.1 km travelled by major aircraft components
• 23-tonne HMAS Sydney gun: heaviest object installed

THE GONGS

• National and ACT Architecture Awards (multiple categories)
• Australian Interior Design Awards (two categories)
• TripAdvisor Best of the Best (top 1% globally)
• ACT Master Builders Project of the Year 2025
• Asia-Pacific Project Controls Expo Transformation Project of the Year

CONTACT: AWM Media (02) 6263 6628 | media@awm.gov.au | 0409 600 038