Shrine of Remembrance

Shrine Melbourne war memorial and museum honoring service

Melbourne’s principal war memorial and museum on Kings Domain, notable for its Anzac ceremonies, military galleries and a rooftop balcony with views over the city grid and surrounding parkland.

Main image

The Shrine of Remembrance is a major war memorial in Melbourne, Victoria, dedicated to the men and women of Victoria who served in war. The building was completed in the early 20th century as a public memorial and now functions as a museum and ceremonial site.

The main sanctuary is a compact, axial chamber containing the Stone of Remembrance and is aligned so that sunlight hits the stone at 11:00 on 11 November. Surrounding galleries present military history displays and personal stories, and a roof terrace provides city views about 2 kilometres to the north.

Designed by architects Philip Hudson and James Wardrop, the memorial has been adapted over time to include interpretive museum spaces beneath the building. It remains an active site for commemorative ceremonies and public education.

The Shrine stands on St Kilda Road within Kings Domain, immediately south of Melbourne’s central parkland and a short walk from the CBD.

  • Ray of Light: The sunlight alignment known as the "Ray of Light" strikes the Stone of Remembrance at 11:00 on 11 November each year, marking Armistice Day.
  • Location: The Shrine is located on St Kilda Road in Kings Domain, about 2 kilometres south of Melbourne's central business district.

What to See #

  • Sanctuary: The enclosed sanctuary contains the central Stone of Remembrance and the axial alignment that produces the annual "Ray of Light" at 11:00 on 11 November.
  • Museum and galleries: A series of underground galleries and exhibition spaces added during redevelopment house military history displays and changing exhibitions on war and remembrance.
  • Viewing terrace: A roof terrace and external steps give broad views south over the Royal Botanic Gardens and into the Melbourne city skyline approximately 2 kilometres to the north.
Shrine of Remembrance
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
-37.8306, 144.9734
Daily 10:00am-5:00pm (often extended for commemorative events)
Free (donations welcome)

How to Get to Shrine of Remembrance #

The Shrine sits on St Kilda Road, opposite the Royal Botanic Gardens. From the CBD take tram routes 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64 or 67 to the Shrine of Remembrance stop. By car, follow St Kilda Road south from the city centre and use the Botanic Gardens car parks; allow extra time on commemorative dates when roads are closed.

Tips for Visiting Shrine of Remembrance #

  • Arrive before 10am to enjoy the sanctuary in relative quiet and catch long morning light on the stone surfaces.
  • Walk up from the Royal Botanic Gardens along Birdwood Avenue - the western approach frames the Shrine against mature plane trees and is less crowded than the St Kilda Road side.
  • If visiting on 25 April (ANZAC Day) or 11 November (Remembrance Day), expect crowds and road closures; public transport is strongly recommended.

Best Time to Visit Shrine of Remembrance #

Best visited in shoulder seasons for light, cooler temperatures, and fewer tour groups; dawn and late afternoon are particularly atmospheric.

Autumn (March-May)
Mar-May · 10-22°C
Milder weather and the commemorative calendar (ANZAC Day, 25 April) bring ceremony without the full heat of summer.
Spring (September-November)
Sep-Nov · 10-20°C
Clear skies and long shadows make the building's classical lines and the plaza's stonework especially photogenic.
Winter (June-August)
Jun-Aug · 5-14°C
Quieter on ordinary days; the low winter sun can catch the interior sanctuary but mornings are brisk.

Weather & Climate near Shrine of Remembrance #

Climate

Shrine of Remembrance's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (649 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
26°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
15° 26°

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 67 mm of rain.

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 19°

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 24°

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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