Soldiers Memorial Avenue

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

There are 533 individually named trees plus one for an Unknown Soldier and three trees planted by dignitaries.

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.

If you want to find a soldier's tree or plaque there is a search function on the Friends of the Soldiers Memorial Avenue website.

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, enhance and celebrate their significance and integrity. This important work is carried out in part by the City of Hobart and in part by the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue (FOSMA).

The City of Hobart is the land owner and asset manager. FOSMA is the key community group associated with the Avenue. FOSMA has been the driving force in reinvigorating the Avenue after it fell into a state of neglect. Their actions, supported by the City, have re-established the connection between the fallen soldiers and their families, as well as highlighting the significance of the Avenue as one of Tasmania's most important war memorials. Since the formation of FOSMA in 2002, the group has facilitated and organised regular commemorative events on the Avenue, as well as providing support, information, guided tours and presentations for descendants, school groups and community organisations.

The City is responsible for the management and maintenance of the trees and broader site. The City recognises the exception historic heritage values, natural values and aboriginal values of the site and surrounding landscape and has outlined a vision that:

Soldiers Memorial Avenue is a living memorial to be protected in perpetuity. It is a place for private and public commemoration. Soldiers Memorial Avenue enhances and is part of the natural and cultural heritage values of the surrounding Queens Domain landscape.

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.

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.

We invite you to visit Soldiers Memorial Avenue and if you would like to learn more about the history of the avenue visit the Soldiers Memorial Avenue website.