“The Department of Finance would like to acknowledge the efforts and achievements of Hunt Architects in the design and supervision of the National Anzac Centre. We would like to commend the team for their enduring commitment to deliver this project to a high standard in often demanding and extraordinary circumstances.”
We Will Remember Them
National Anzac Centre
For many soldiers, their last sight of Australia was Mt Clarence on the horizon before sailing to Gallipoli.
The National Anzac Centre is a striking contemporary landmark that sits atop Mt Clarence overlooking King George Sound, from where the first convoy carrying Anzac troops departed in 1914. For many soldiers, their last sight of Australia was of Mt Clarence on the horizon before they sailed on to take part in landings at Gallipoli from 25 April 1915.
It has become a landmark that is intrinsically part of the Anzac story. The National Anzac Centre became an important site in the telling of this story when it was opened on 1 November 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of the departure of the first convoy.
The centre is a single level building perched on columns on a sloping hill that reaches out over the landscape with two large windows giving sweeping views. Both the materials used and the building forms evoke maritime themes – a ship at dock connected to the land via an existing gangplank. The building features large galleries, curtain wall windows, exhibition spaces outdoor observation areas and art interpretive systems all overlooking panoramic views of King George Sound.
Through multi-media, online experiences and interactive technology, the stories of 32 people who served in the First World War, are brought to life.
The National Anzac Centre was one of a handful of Australian attractions included on a list of 26 must-see new experiences as part of the Lonely Planet e-book New in Travel 2015 and has been named Australia’s number one museum by TripAdvisor users.
