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HISTORY The Soldiers Walk was inaugurated
on 3 August 1918. In the days before relatively easy and
inexpensive international flights, the trees planted along this
avenue became substitutes for the European and Middle Eastern
graves those left behind in Tasmania would never be able to visit.
This importance was reflected in a quarter of the greater Hobart
area’s population attending the inauguration and the trees being
visited on holidays and birthdays for decades. Even today it is not
unusual to see flowers propped against the trunk of a
tree. |
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The original trees were mainly cedars; some
were replaced in the 1960s with Italian cypresses. Trees has been
lost due to dry summers and development (the Crossroads Oval was
responsible for the removal of 80 trees), however in recent years
the avenue is getting some much needed attention. The healthiest
trees, between the Gunpowder Magazine and the TCA Ground, have
interesting information plaques regarding the soldier for whom the
tree was planted. A local non-profit organisation is replacing dead
trees and has been doing further research with the hope of adding
more information on the fallen soldiers. I see new plaques each
time I visit the walk, and one was added to my husband's great
uncle's tree in 2008.
Further information about the soldiers
commemorated and the history of the Avenue is available at
www.soldierswalk.org.au.
Snuva does not know the surnames of all Tasmanian cachers or indeed
which caching families have roots in Tasmania that might go back
far enough, however here are a few of the trees that may be of
interest: William Leslie CRAGG (Tree 178), Claude HARRISON (Tree
83), John HARRISON (Tree 395), Percy HARRISON (Tree 168), Thomas
JONES (Tree 198), Alfred Chaplin JONES (Tree 272), Clyde Leonard
JONES (Tree 346), Leslie Roy JONES (Tree 403), Alan Lindsay MARSH
(Tree 295), Arthur WELLS (Tree 405). Contact Snuva if you would
like her to look a name up or add a relative’s tree to this
list.
THE WALK The walk is a pleasant
medium-length stroll on the Queen’s Domain. I don’t think we have
ever done the walk without seeing a flock of brightly coloured
parrots frolicking in the trees, so remember to look up from your
GPSr! In the summer a sun hat and water will be important. Dogs are
welcome on lead (and Snuva says there are LOTS of interesting
smells along the way), however, unlike most walks in the area ‘dog
bags’ are not provided so human slaves of canines should provide
these. This is a well maintained, sandy track, so prams should be
fine except after a real drenching of rain.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO Parking is
available close to the published waypoint. At that waypoint, you
will find a clue to the next waypoint, etc. The clue to the final
cache location is marked as such. Easy!