Acclaim for Anzac museum

The National Anzac Centre has added another accolade to its growing list after it was ranked the top museum in Australia by TripAdvisor.

The TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards for Museums rated museums on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings gathered in the past 12 months.

The NAC came in ahead of the prestigious National Gallery of Victoria and the Melbourne Museum.

On TripAdivsor’s website, the NAC was rated an average of five stars by more than 800 reviewers.

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was worthy recognition for the National Anzac Centre.

“Albany is extremely proud of the museum and the tribute it is to our Anzac heroes,” he said.

“It is a deeply moving and spiritual experience to visit, and provides greater insight into what our Diggers endured and their bravery during World War I.

“That so many Australians are among the visitors from around the world visiting the museum is a sign of the immense respect our country has for the Anzacs’ sacrifice and pride in the legacy they have.”

The $10.65 million centre was opened on November 1, 2014, and more than 136,000 people have visited.

At the time, Premier Colin Barnett said visiting the centre was a moving experience.

“The National Anzac Centre offers visitors a unique and moving experience of World War I through the voices of Anzac soldiers,” he said.

“Albany holds a significant place in history as the departure point for the first convoy of ships carrying Anzac soldiers.

“For many, it was the last glimpse they had of Australian soil.”

The NAC was also awarded the best new tourism business at the 2015 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards and was ranked number 21 in Lonely Planet’s top 26 new travel experiences for 2015.