Anzac Week 2026 Walking Tour Itinerary

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Arrive at Lille train station, either Lille Europe or Lille Flanders by midday. We then transfer in our van to Lille and book into our accommodation. After a light lunch we will do a walk around Ypres, including the Ramparts. The remainder of the afternoon to explore Ypres on your own or visit the In Flanders Fields Museum. Reconvene at 7.30pm at the Biking Bar and make our way to the Menin Gate for the nightly Last Post Ceremony followed by our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Walk 3 km.

Today we travel south to discover the battlefield for the July 1916 Battle of Fromelles. On the way we will stop at the Plugstreet 14-18 Experience where there is a very good video about WWI. At Fromelles 5,533 young Australian men became casualties here on the night of the 19/20 July 1916. The 5th Australian Division were mostly raw troops, and this was their first major battle. We will look at the ground and discuss why it became Australia’s worst military disaster. Visits to the VC Corner Australian Cemetery, Australian Memorial Park, Pheasant Wood Cemetery, and the Museum of the Battle of Fromelles. Walk 5 km.

Today we walk through Ploegsteert Wood where many troops had their first experience of the Western Front trenches. The trees have completely grown back now and it's difficult to imagine this place in 1916. We then go to Messines learn about the June 1917 Battle of Messines where the Australians and New Zealanders played a key role in moving the Germans off the important high ridgelines overlooking Ypres from the south. On the way home, we take a short detour to Hill 60 where Australian tunnellers worked on one of the underground mines that opened the Battle of Messines. Walk 5 km.

A very interesting walk today as we head east to the haunting Polygon Wood and the Brothers-in-Arms Memorial commemorating the love of a Nanango digger for his dead brother. Continuing through Zonnebeke and along the old railway line to the Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world. From there we drive across the Gheluvelt plateau to the German Cemetery at Langemark. Walk 7 km.

We move camp today, but unlike the Diggers, we won’t be putting on our full Marching Order and walking along dusty cobbled roads. We head to our new base at Le Macassar in Corbie, France, where we will be for the second part of our pilgrimage.

On the way we will stop at the small village of Bullecourt, the scene of two extremely costly battles for the 4th Australian Division in 1917. Lunch in Thiepval, before the short drive into Corbie and check-in at Le Macassar.

For the energetic, there will be a town walk through Corbie and up to the Australian National Memorial and Monash Centre. Otherwise, take the bus to the Monash Centre. Bus back to Le Macassar for a shower and Welcome Apero followed by dinner. Walk 7/12 km.

This morning  we walk the Hamel battlefield where newly promoted General John Monash came to prominence on 4 July 1918 with this 93 minute battle. 

After lunch we climb aboard our van for the short drive to Vignacourt and visit the wonderful photographic exhibition Vignacourt 1914-18 where thousands of glass plate negatives of soldiers on   leave were discovered recently. The old farmhouse has been converted into a gallery showcasing the photos taken by the Thuilliers during the Great War. Early to bed tonight as we have a very early start tomorrow. Walk 5 km.

Early rise this morning to get to the Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial. This is a very moving and memorable ceremony and being there on foreign soil where the diggers and Kiwis fought is special.

From here we drive to Naours to share breakfast with another Australian tour group at the Underground City. After breakfast we will have a guided tour of the caves that have a special connection to the Anzac troops during the war.

A relaxing afternoon in Corbie, exploring the town or just relaxing in your luxury suite at Le Macassar.

Walk 4 km. 

Today is going to be a surprise - top security:) 

Sadly, today we bid you farewell and safe travels this morning as we take you to either Haute-Picardie TGV to catch the fast train to Charles de Gaulle airport or to Amiens for the train to the centre of Paris.  

Couple: from $13,900. Single $7,550. 

  Inclusions

· Daily guided walks of the First World War battlefields

· Support van and driver

· Accommodation and breakfast

· Transfers to and from railway stations (Lille and Amiens)

· 2 group dinners

· Tour daypack

· 3 museum entries. 

Exclusions    

· Airfares and other travel

· Travel insurance (compulsory)

· Entry visas etc