Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours has launched a new 4-day small-group Gallipoli Explorer tour for 2024, with fortnightly departures from May to September – designed to make visiting the battlefields where the Anzac legend was forged possible on any European Summer holiday.
The tour will be led by expert WWI Historians who bring the history to life, sharing stories of the Anzacs, spotlighting relics that can still be seen, providing detailed information on the history of the Gallipoli Campaign, tactics that were used, and insights about the many battles.
The 4-day itinerary has been personally designed by historian Mat McLachlan to visit all the key sites where the Anzacs fought and died, plus special inclusions not offered by any other operator, and a day trip to Troy.
Itinerary highlights include:
- Drive along the shore of the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, learning the strategic importance of this historic waterway, which was the principal objective of the Gallipoli campaign.
- Touring Chimpe Fort, part of the German commander headquarters during the campaign.
- Pay respects at Ari Burnu and Beach Cemeteries, including the grave of John Simpson ‘the man with the donkey’; walk from Shrapnel Valley to Plugge’s Plateau, and see the grave of ‘Bill the Bastard’ a light horse who lies in the only Commonwealth War Grave dedicated to an animal in the world.
- Comprehensive touring of the Anzac Sector including Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Quinn’s Post, the Nek, Chunuk Bair and more, plus a walkthrough Taylor’s Gap where Monash’s 4th brigade fought bitterly, as well as exploring Hill 60 and Suvla Bay – two of the key sites from the August Offensive.
- Walking the ground at Cape Helles, including the Achi Baba viewpoint, the Abide Turkish Memorial, V Beach, Doughty-Wylie’s grave, the Helles Memorial, Gully Beach, and the forgotten Anzac battlefield of Krithia.
- On the final day, the tour visits the famous ancient city of Troy, before returning to Istanbul.
“We are experiencing strong interest from people wanting to tour Gallipoli and uncover the Anzac history,” founder, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, Mat McLachlan.
“We want to make visiting Gallipoli easier and more accessible to people looking to visit these sacred battlefields, which is why we have put together our 4-day Gallipoli Explorer.”
“For Anzac Day 2023, we had two full coaches, led by two excellent Historians, exploring the battlefields, and our nine-day 2024 Anzac Day tour is filling up quickly.”
“Due to demand, we launched a nine-day Gallipoli Discovery tour for September 2023, and we have been organising many private three-day tours of Gallipoli for this year.”
“As we head towards the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign in 2025, we expect interest and visitation to continue to grow.”
