Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne

The Queens Domain is 230 hectares of bushland, parkland and cultural sites. We parked in Federal Street, North Hobart then walked to the pedestrian bridge over the Brooker Highway, in front of the former Hobart High School.

Crossing the bridge, we followed the sealed track to the Upper Domain Road. We walked along to Max’s Infinity Loop, then uphill on the mountain bike track.

At the summit, a point of interest is the Wireless Station, established in 1912 as an integral part of Australia’s early communications network. The station is now the home of Tas Maritime Radio, serving an important role in ensuring the safety of life and property at sea.

Leaving the Wireless Station, we strolled downhill to the Soldiers Memorial Avenue, which winds across the Domain to the city.

Information panels beside the track recount the history of the Soldiers Memorial Avenue, which commemorates servicemen who died on active service in the Great War, 1914 to 1918. Each serviceman is remembered with a plaque that contains a summary of their life and service.

We turned off the Avenue into the picturesque TCA Ground, where we watched the Tasmanian Tigers cricket team practice.

Returning to the Avenue, we walked on to the Gunpowder Magazine. Built by the Royal Engineers in 1850-51 to store black gunpowder, the Magazine has 600mm thick sandstone walls, a vaulted double roof, spark proof ventilation, and Franklin lightning rods to prevent explosions.

After viewing the Gunpowder Magazine, we returned to North Hobart. In a five kilometre walk, we saw interesting historic places, and panoramic views over all of Hobart and along the Derwent River.