Melbourne's most recognisable landmark, the Shrine of Remembrance, was built between July 1928 and November 1934 in remembrance of those 114,000 men and women of Victoria who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918.

A special feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light. Thanks to combined skills of an astronomer, a mathematician and a surveyor the Ray of Light falls on the word LOVE on sacred the Stone of Remembrance at 11am on the 11th of November and will continue to do so for 5,000 years at least.

The time and date mark the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the Great War by what was called the Armistice. Simulated Ray of Light services of remembrance are held for visitors every half hour.

After World War II a Memorial Forecourt in the shape of a cross of sacrifice was added and this included three flagpoles, the Eternal Flame and the Cenotaph.

A water garden, known as Remembrance Garden, on the western slope of the Shrine grounds commemorates post 1945 armed conflicts such as Malaya, Borneo, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Balkans, Cambodia, Somalia and East Timor.

Today, the Shrine of Remembrance draws thousands of visitors each year - to remember, to contemplate, or to simply visit as tourists.

There is a Visitor Centre and Education Centre providing visitors of all ages with a comprehensive experience. Trustees are very active in encouraging schools to visit the Shrine so that the next generation of Australians learn something of the traditions of the armed services and the significance of remembrance.

Over 90 voluntary guides give up their time to conduct guided tours of the Shrine on a daily basis.

Please visit the website for more information for upcoming exhibitions and events.

Cost

This is a free attraction.

Local directions

St Kilda Road Melbourne Melway Map Reference 2F J/12 Tram stop 19

Facilities

Opening hours

Daily
10:00am -5:00pm
Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday

Memberships

• Cultural Tourism Industry Group
• Museums Australia
• Tourism Alliance Victoria

Disabled access

Disabled Access via Visitor Centre

Additional business information

Children's Activities
The Shrine of Remembrance offers free school holiday activities duriing school holiday periods. These sessions are aimed at raising awareness amongst young people about the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping.

Exhibitions and Public Programs
The Shrine of Remembrance has a changing calendar of of public lectures and exhibitions. For more information visit the website