AUSTRALIAN TOURS
THE AUSTRALIAN TRAIL
From the first diggers engagements at Fromelles and Pozières to the legendary victory at Villers-Bretonneux.
→ 1 day and 2 day tours available
The Somme & Hindenburg Line Sector: • Villers-Bretonneux • Sir John Monash Centre • Pozières • Mouquet Farm • Bullecourt • Hindenburg Line • Montbrehain
The Flanders & Northern Sector: • Fromelles • Messines Ridge • Polygon Wood • Passchendaele
One-Day Tour of the Australian Battlefields The Western Front: In the Footsteps of the Diggers
Immerse yourself in the heroic and tragic history of the Australian Imperial Force on the Somme. This comprehensive journey connects the strategic victory at Villers-Bretonneux to the scarred landscapes of Pozières, combining an immersive experience at the Sir John Monash Centre and a walk through the raw reality of trench warfare, now naturally preserved.
→ Departure: Amiens, Arras, or Saint-Quentin.
→ Schedule: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
→ Group Size: Ideal for up to 3 people (please contact me for larger groups).
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→ Morning: Villers-Bretonneux, the birth of the Australian Corps
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Australian National Memorial: We start by paying our respects to the 11,000 Australian soldiers with no known grave whose names are engraved here.
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Sir John Monash Centre: Visit this cutting-edge interpretation centre that vividly tells the story of the Australian experience on the Western Front.
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Red Baron Crash Site: A drive-by view of the location where the famous ace was shot down, a significant event involving Australian ground troops.
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Lochnagar Mine Crater: Witness the massive crater from the mine explosion that launched the Battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916.
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Lunch Break: We will stop for lunch in a setting steeped in history, either at the Sir John Monash Centre Café or at the iconic Le Tommy Café & Museum in Pozières.
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→ Afternoon: Pozières & Trench Warfare
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Pozières: The site of the bloodiest Australian struggle on the Western Front. We will visit the 1st Australian Division Memorial, the Gibraltar Bunker site, and the Windmill/Tank Corps Memorial for an overview of the offensive and the Australian involvement during the Battle of Pozières.
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Mouquet Farm: A stop at this site of intense combat, known to the Diggers as « Moo-Cow Farm. »
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Beaumont-Hamel (Newfoundland Park): To visualize the reality of the battlefield, we will walk through a remarkably well-preserved trench system.
Return: Drop-off at your hotel or railway station.
This itinerary is subject to change depending on special requests (e.g., visiting a specific relative’s grave).
Two-Days Tour of the Australian Battlefields
This 2 day tour is adding the visit of Fromelles and Bullecourt to the Somme tour
Fromelles & Bullecourt: This tour focuses on the disastrous first engagement at Fromelles (1916) and the assault against the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt (1917). Key stops include the VC Corner Cemetery, the « Cobbers » Statue, and the Digger Memorial.
Logistics & Departure: To maximize your time on the battlefields and minimize travel, this two-day tour always begins and ends in Saint-Quentin or Arras.
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Saint-Quentin: A town intimately linked to the Hindenburg Line. Destroyed at 80% during the war, it is today a shining example of Reconstruction architecture, renowned for its Art Deco heritage.
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Arras: Famous for its stunning Flemish style squares and rich history. (Both cities are easily accessible via daily trains from Paris Gare du Nord).
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→ Morning: The Disaster of Fromelles (July 1916)
We head north to the site of the first Australian major involvement on the Western Front. Here, on July 19th, 1916, the 5th Australian Division suffered catastrophic losses against elite Bavarian troops in less than 24 hours.
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Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery: Visit the resting place of 250 soldiers discovered in a mass grave in 2009.
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VC Corner & Australian Memorial Park: Located in the middle of No Man’s Land, giving you the same view the troops had on that tragic day.
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The Cobbers Memorial: Standing atop a captured German bunker, this statue immortalizes Sergeant Simon Fraser rescuing a wounded mate.
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(Time permitting: A visit to the Museum of the Battle of Fromelles can be included).
Lunch: Historic Arras We stop in the city of Arras to enjoy a lunch break on the magnificent Grand’Place, surrounded by its famous Flemish-style architecture.
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→ Afternoon: Bullecourt & The Hindenburg Line (1917)
Driving south to the Bullecourt battlefield, we explore the area where the Diggers fought two bloody battles as a diversion during the battle of Arras. The landscape here remains remarkably unchanged after a century.
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The Slouch Hat Memorial: Located in the village, honouring the Australian and British troops and the strong bond with the local French population.
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The Digger Memorial: Looking out over the fields, this statue commemorates the 10,000 Australian casualties of the Bullecourt battles.
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Riencourt-lès-Cagnicourt: A drive through this village behind the German lines offers a stunning strategic overview of the battlefield.
Return: Drop-off at your hotel or railway station in Saint-Quentin or Arras.
This itinerary is subject to change depending on special requests (e.g., visiting a specific relative’s grave).
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
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Door-to-Door Service: Pick-up & Drop-off at your hotel or train station.
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Premium Transport: Private travel in a Mercedes GLB class
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Expert Guidance: Led by a local, English-speaking expert
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Museum admission is included.
BOOKING & RATES: Tours run daily.
Early booking is highly recommended.
