Soldiers Memorial Avenue

The Soldiers Memorial Avenue in Hobart is a place for quiet reflection. Set within the Queens Domain, it invites visitors to slow down and consider the stories, lives and sacrifices of those who did not return home from war.

It is one of Tasmania’s most significant war memorials and provides a direct link to the stories of love, loss and commemoration that arose from the tragedy of World War 1.

It commemorates the men, and one woman, who came from Hobart or whose families were connected with Hobart who were killed in action or died of wounds, sickness, disease or in accidents during the Great War.

Shaped by remembrance

The avenue winds its way through native grasslands and commemorates 508 individual service people, each honoured with a tree planted in 1918 following the Great War.

The memorial was built on a simple but powerful idea: Every tree represents one life, one story, one sacrifice. Each tree is directly linked to one service person through an individual name plaque.

This guiding principle recognises that remembrance is personal.

The original trees were Himalayan, blue atlas and atlas cypress. All the replacement trees planted since 2008 are Lebanese cedars, chosen for their better tolerance of dry conditions.

Across generations

Maintaining a memorial of this scale is an ongoing responsibility. Over time, weather and age affect both trees and plaques, and careful attention is needed to protect their significance and integrity.

This important work is carried out by the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue (FOSMA). Working alongside land managers and the wider community, FOSMA is dedicated to the long-term care of the avenue.

Their work includes:

Monitoring the health and safety of memorial trees.
Caring for, and when necessary replacing, name plaques.
Continuing stewardship by recruiting new members.
Advocating for the long-term protection of the avenue.
Ensuring care is balanced with the natural values of the Queens Domain, including its significant native grasslands.

Through their efforts, remembrance here remains active and ongoing, ensuring the avenue continues to speak clearly of service, loss and respect for future generations.

Shared reflection

Walking Soldiers Memorial Avenue is a quiet and personal experience. Some visitors come with purpose and reflection in mind. Others may discover the meaning of the avenue as they walk.

Each plaque invites a pause. Each tree is a reminder that the names belong to people from this community — people who lived locally, had families, and answered a call to serve.

The track offers space to:

reflect privately
talk with children about local history
pay respects in a simple, meaningful way
connect with the stories behind the memorial.

You do not need to attend a formal service to honour sacrifice. Sometimes, walking quietly among the trees and looking out over the River Derwent is enough.

Remembering through place

Remembrance is not only found in ceremonies — it also lives in places. Soldiers Memorial Avenue connects the broader story of war and service to the individuals who shaped this community.

Walking the track offers time to slow down, reflect, and recognise the personal stories behind the memorial.

As you walk, you are walking with memory — alongside names that mattered, lives that counted, and a community that continues to care. Whenever you feel the need to reflect, we invite you to visit Soldiers Memorial Avenue Track.

Thanks to the tireless work of the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue, this place remains one where history is respected, stories are preserved, and sacrifice is never forgotten.

If you would like to learn more about the history of the avenue visit the Soldiers Memorial Avenue website.