'Australians on the Western Front' with Rod Henderson: 2-10 October 2027

Australians on the Western Front

with

Rod Henderson - Australian War Memorial Expert Guide.

(2-10 October 2027)

9 Days 8 Nights

Twin Share – $6,589AUD per person
Single Supplement – $1,485AUD

Welcome to our Signature Australian Tour with Australian War Memorial (AWM) Expert Guide, Author & Veteran - Rod Henderson.

Travel back in time with Rod to follow our Diggers across the sacred ground of Australia’s most defining moments of WWI on the Western Front. Utilsing his extensives knowledge of the Anzacs in the Great War, Rod has crafted a remarkably personal tour around some of Australia’s most sacred places on the Western Front, places that define the Australian spirit of courage, mateship and sacrifice.

Over nine amazing days we will visit all the key Australian battlefields of 1916 to 1918: from the Ypres Salient & Flanders to the Somme, and beyond to the Hindenburg Line. And, you will enjoy a range of unique inclusions, shared experiences with like-minded travellers, and savour the culinary delights of France & Belgium.

This is truly a  unique perspective of Australia’s WWI history across France and Belgium.

We look forward to walking the battlefields with you.

 Itinerary

Saturday, 2 October 2027: Day 1 – Paris

Following a mid-afternoon check-in to our hotel, tour members are invited to join our Tour Director, and Australian War Memorial Expert Guide – Rod Henderson for a welcome drink in the hotel. Afterwards you will enjoy a ‘Welcome Dinner’ in a Parisian restaurant.

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Overnight: Le Meridien Hotel Paris Arc de Triomphe, France

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Sunday, 3 October 2027: Day 2 – Fromelles, Ypres

This morning, you travel north to Fromelles where the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) conducted its first major action on the Western Front that inflicted a terrible toll on the 5th Australian Division in the disastrous action on night of 19/20 July 1916. You will visit the “Cobbers” Memorial and VC Corner Cemetery, and then explore the Battle of Fromelles Museum before visiting Pheasant Wood Cemetery specifically dedicated to those disinterred from the nearby mass grave site discovered 17 years ago.

You then cross the border into Belgium travelling to Ypres, a fascinating, ancient town, that has been reconstructed to its original magnificence following its near complete destruction during the First World War.

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Overnight: Novotel Centrum, Ypres Belgium

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Monday, 4 October 2027: Day 3 – Passchendale

Explore Hill 60 where the Australian Tunnelling Corps did amazing work in 1917, then to Polygon Wood where the 5th Australian Division Memorial stands and the ANZAC Day Dawn Service is held in Belgium.

Lunch at Cafe de Dreve, whose owner Johan Vandewalle conceived the ‘Brothers in Arms’ memorial project and is a local expert on the First World War particularly in relation to the ‘Underground War’.

Passchendaele Museum and Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery in the world.

This evening, you attend the Last Post ceremony at the nearby Menin Gate including the wreath laying ceremony.

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Overnight: Novotel Centrum, Ypres, Belgium

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Tuesday, 5 October 2027: Day 4 – Canada, France, Germany & CWGC

As we head back into France, we make stops at Vimy Ridge, the spectacular Canadian Memorial. Notre Dame de Lorette, the world’s largest French cemetery, and Maison Blanche German Cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Visitor Centre in Arras allows you to learn about the scale of the Commission’s work in commemorating the fallen around the globe. Afterwards you will make a stop for lunch in the quaint town square of Arras

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Overnight: Mercure, Arras, France

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Wednesday, 6 October 2027: Day 5 – Pozieres, Somme

Start with Australia’s action around the village of Pozières and Mouquet Farm - where the suffered more than 23,000 casualties over a period of six weeks. to the Windmill Site where “Australian troops… fell more thickly on this ridge than on any other battlefield of the war”.  The Australian 1st Division Memorial and Lochnagar Crater—the greatest scar on the land of WWI, an underground mine detonated on 01 July 1916 to mark the beginning of the Battle of Somme. Marvel at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, the greatest British memorial on the Western Front. End the day walking authentic WWI trenches at the Newfoundland Memorial Park.

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Overnight: Mercure, Arras, France

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Thursday, 7 October 2027: Day 6 – Bullecourt, 1918 Victories

Visit Bullecourt, the small French village where Australian’s are forever remembered. Over 10,000 Australian casualties here to gain the imposing Hindenburg Line. Visit the moving Digger Memorial, explore the Bullecourt Museum and share a drink with the locals at Le Canberra Café.

Experience some of Australia’s last action of the war, the last push in 1918. Monash’s masterpiece at Mont St Quentin and the breaking of the Hindenburg Line. The 2nd Australian Division Memorial near Bellenglise. End the day in the enchanting old town of Amiens

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Overnight: Mercure Cathedral, Amiens, France

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Friday, 8 October 2027: Day 7 – Behind the Lines

The special village of Vignacourt to tour the 14-18 Vigancourt Museum where local farmers, Louis and Antoinette Thuillier, photographed Australian Diggers during the war. Their glass plate negatives were stored in the attic of the farmhouse, lost for over a century before being discovered and preserved.

A Private Tour of Chateau de Bertangles, where General Sir John Monash was knighted in 1918, End the afternoon exploring the cathedral and charming streets and canals of Amiens. Enjoy an evening meal together at a local restaurant located on the picturesque canal waterfront. 

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Overnight: Mercure Cathedral, AMIENS, France    

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Saturday, 9 October 2027: Day 8 – Villers-Bretonneux - Paris

Explore the Australian sites at Villers-Bretonneux. Beginning at the Australian National Memorial and  Sir John Monash Centre, We then make our way to Villers Bretonneux, visit the Franco-Australien Museum in the Victorian School, rebuilt in the 1920s with funds donated by the Australian public.

This afternoon is Le Hamel, discovering the action overlooking the battlefield from the impressive Australian Corps Memorial commemorating over 100,000 Australians who served with the Corps in France during the First World War.

In the afternoon we head back to Paris. This evening, join your farewell dinner for a cruise along the Seine, seeing the beautiful sights of Paris and Notre Dame Cathedral by night.  

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Overnight: Le Meridien Hotel Paris Arc de Triomphe, France         

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Sunday, 10 October 2027: Day 9 – Paris & Aurevoir

All good things must come to an end, but we know that you will be returning home with many wonderful memories and new friendships. Thank you.

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The letters refer to:

(B) Breakfast included.
(L) Lunch included.
(D) Dinner included.