Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, War memorial near Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Australia

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial is a war memorial in Ballarat designed as a long granite wall dedicated to honoring captured soldiers. The structure displays the names of military personnel who were imprisoned during various historical conflicts throughout different eras.

The memorial opened in 2004 following discussions that began during a 1996 commemoration ceremony about the need for a national tribute. The creation aimed to recognize all Australians who suffered as prisoners of war across multiple historical periods.

The memorial draws people who wish to honor Australian soldiers captured during various conflicts and imprisoned far from home. Visitors come to acknowledge the experiences of these prisoners of war and keep their stories alive.

The memorial sits on Carlton Street and is easy to reach with good accessibility for all visitors. On-site materials help you understand the stories of the imprisoned and their experiences during wartime.

The memorial's six basalt obelisks stand in a square pool, each naming a country where Australians were held; the sixth lies deliberately toppled and broken, symbolising "The Fallen". A stream runs from beneath the cenotaph down the western wall, past both name walls, then disappears under the path back to its source.