2 Day Australian Tour – from Arras

If you’re passionate about history, particularly Australia’s role in WWI, this two-day tour from Arras offers a comprehensive and deeply moving experience. Led by knowledgeable guides, you’ll explore iconic battle sites, memorials, and trenches, retracing the footsteps of soldiers who fought and fell along the Western Front. The tour is tailored for small groups, ensuring an intimate and personalized journey through some of the most significant World War I landscapes.

What makes this tour stand out is the combination of authentic battlefield visits and insightful commentary, delivered in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. It’s clear that the tour is designed to be both educational and emotionally resonant. However, given the packed itinerary and focus on key memorials, those seeking a relaxed, leisurely experience might find it a bit intense. Still, for history buffs, relatives tracing family histories, or anyone wanting a meaningful connection to the past, this tour offers an invaluable glimpse into a pivotal chapter of world history.

This experience is best suited for small groups of up to seven, making it perfect for travelers who prefer a more personalized, less crowded atmosphere. If you’re ready to walk on history, pay your respects, and gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s sacrifices on the Western Front, this tour is worth considering.

Key Points

• Authentic Battlefield Experience: Walk through trenches and sites left untouched, making history feel real.
• Expert Guides: Knowledgeable guides, like Phil, enrich the experience with detailed stories and insights.
• Memorial Focus: Visit the largest Commonwealth Cemetery and the Australian National Memorial.
• Comfortable Travel: Small group size and air-conditioned vehicles ensure a relaxed, enjoyable journey.
• Emotional Impact: Visiting sites like Menin Gate and laying wreaths create powerful, memorable moments.
• Extensive Site Coverage: From Pozieres to Passchendaele, the tour includes many significant locations.

An In-Depth Look at the Western Front Australian Tour

This two-day adventure from Arras promises an immersive journey into the history of Australian soldiers on the Western Front. It’s thoughtfully curated to balance historical education with respectful commemoration, making it ideal for those who want more than just a sightseeing trip. Instead, it’s an opportunity to connect emotionally and learn deeply about the sacrifices made during WWI.

Why Choose This Tour?

At a glance, the price of just over $700 per person might seem steep, but when you consider the value of expert guiding, entrance fees, transportation, and meaningful visits, it’s quite reasonable. The small group size means personalized attention and the chance to ask questions, listen to stories, and absorb the history without feeling rushed or lost in a crowd.

Transport and Group Size

Travel is in an air-conditioned vehicle, which makes long days far more comfortable, especially considering the coverage of multiple locations. With a maximum of seven participants, you’ll avoid the feeling of being just yet another tourist, and the guides have the time to give detailed attention to each stop. The tour begins at 9:00 am in Arras, with some stops that require walking or brief exploration — expect comfortable shoes and a respectful attitude.

Day 1: Walking Through the History of the Somme

The first day is a deep dive into the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest campaigns of WWI. The stops are carefully selected to give a balanced mix of somber memorials and authentic battlefield remnants.

Serre Road Cemetery No.2 kicks off the day. It’s the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the Somme, a sobering reminder of the scale of loss. From there, the tour takes you to Memorial Terre-neuvien de Beaumont-Hamel, where you can walk among the trenches used on the first day of the battle. The guides often emphasize the tactical aspects and the intense conditions soldiers faced, making the history tangible.

Next, the Thiepval Memorial stands out as an emotional highlight — over 73,000 British soldiers with no known graves are commemorated here. Reviewers mention the powerful impact of laying a wreath at Menin Gate during the Last Post ceremony, which is an emotional, fitting end to the first day’s visits.

Other notable sites include Lochnagar Crater, the largest visible scar on the Western Front, created by a massive underground explosion, and the Australian Division Memorial, which highlights the significant Australian sacrifices at Pozieres. The Sir John Monash Centre offers a modern, interactive experience, unpacking Australian efforts during the war through multimedia displays. Many visitors note that guides like Phil make these sites come alive, sharing stories that aren’t in textbooks.

A reviewer mentions how the experience of walking on the actual trenches and authentic sites made history real. The guide’s storytelling prowess, combined with the respectful atmosphere, turns a day of sightseeing into a profound reflection.

Day 2: From Fromelles to Ypres

The second day shifts focus to the Fromelles battlefields, where Australians were recently rediscovered in a mass grave, an incredibly poignant discovery. Visiting Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery, you get to pay respects at the site of recent exhumations, which adds a modern, human element to the story.

Next, the tour visits VC Corner Australian Cemetery and the Australian Memorial Park, with the Cobbers Statue as a centerpiece — a tribute to the courage of Australian soldiers. The Christmas Truce Memorial is a surprising yet touching stop, commemorating the unofficial ceasefire that occurred along the lines in 1914.

The tour then visits notable sites like Hill 60, famous for its massive crater, which is often referenced in historical films, and the Buttes New British Cemetery in Polygon Wood. The Passchendaele Museum (not included in the ticket price) is often recommended for those wanting a deeper dive into the battles in Belgium, with many reviewers calling it “the best museum on the Western Front.”

One of the most moving moments occurs at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world, where many reviewers have described feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the loss. The tour concludes with the Menin Gate and the emotional Last Post Ceremony, which has been performed daily since 1928 — an experience many find deeply touching and fitting as a farewell to the Western Front.

What Travelers Say

Reviewers consistently praise the knowledgeable guides, especially Phil, for their ability to make history accessible and emotionally resonant. One reviewer said, “Very emotional! Eye-opening moments. Thanks, Phil!” Another appreciated how the guide’s stories added depth beyond just visiting monuments, turning a sightseeing trip into a meaningful experience.

The small group setup and detailed itinerary allow for a personalized experience, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and absorb stories behind each site. The tour’s pacing is described as busy but manageable, with plenty of time for reflection and photos.

Practical Details & Tips

• Price: $705.03 per person sounds like a significant investment, but it includes entry fees, bottled water, and expert guides, making it a good value for a comprehensive historical experience.
• Duration: The two days are packed, so prepare for a full schedule with some walking and standing.
• Pickup & Meeting: Start time is 9:00 am in Arras, with pickup offered, streamlining logistics.
• What’s Not Included: Meals and accommodation are not part of the package, so plan to bring snacks or plan for meals in Ypres or Villers-Bretonneux.
• Accessibility & Suitability: Most travelers can participate, but be prepared for some walking on uneven terrain at certain sites.

Why This Tour Is Worth Considering

This tour offers a thorough, respectful look at the Australian experience on the Western Front. It’s perfect for history lovers, those with family connections to WWI, or travelers wanting a deeply personal and educational journey. The expert guides make the history feel alive, and visiting authentic trenches and battle sites provides a level of connection that photos or books can’t match.

It’s also a meaningful opportunity to pay respects at major memorials like Tyne Cot or Menin Gate, especially if commemorating family stories or personal interests. For those willing to spend two days immersed in remembrance, this tour balances emotional impact with educational value, all within a comfortable, small-group setting.

FAQ

How early do I need to book?
Most travelers book around 114 days in advance, so planning ahead is recommended to secure your spot.

Is pickup offered?
Yes, pickup is available, making logistics easier and more convenient for travelers staying in Arras.

What is included in the price?
The tour fee covers all entry fees, bottled water, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are meals included?
No, meals are not included, so you should plan for lunch and snacks during your trip.

Can I visit family graves or trace relatives?
Yes, the itinerary includes stops at significant sites where you can reflect on individual stories and, if relevant, trace your family’s actions.

What is the group size?
Up to seven participants, ensuring a personalized experience and more interaction with guides.

Is the tour suitable for children or those with mobility issues?
Most travelers can participate, but some walking on uneven terrain and long days on the road require moderate mobility.

This two-day Australian WWI tour from Arras offers an insightful, heartfelt, and well-organized way to reconnect with history. Whether you’re a war history enthusiast, a family member tracing ancestors, or a traveler seeking meaningful encounters, this journey promises both education and emotional resonance. The guides’ expertise and the authentic sites richly reward those eager to understand the sacrifices made along the Western Front.