Chapter 90 : Queens Domain

One day Tasmania’s governor looked at the Hobartians enjoying the Domain and said, “The Queens Domain belongs to the people of Hobart.”

In 1860 the Governor officially handed the Queens Domain to the people of Tasmania.  There was no big announcement or handover ceremony. The people of Hobart did not celebrate or change their attitude or behavior towards the Domain. They had always looked on the Domain as their land.

The name Queens Domain tells the people of Hobart who the previous owner was.  The name Queens Domain over-emphasizes the importance of Queen Victoria to the Domain. She was not one of the original custodians of the land.  When she did own the Domain she never visited it, never saw it and had many other things to interest her. Since 1860 the Queens Domain has been looked after and managed by the people of Hobart. Any Queen has had virtually no input into the running of the Queens Domain.

The Domain contains an area of degraded native bush.  Native animals such as bandicoots, wallabies and possums have been seen but no snakes. About 50 species of native and introduced birds have been spotted. There are 10 to 12 plants from the threatened species’ lists growing there.  

It was originally inhabited by the Mouheneenner aboriginal people. Their traditional area was Hobart and up the Derwent River. The Domain was a popular area because it was protected from extreme weather, provided plenty of game and was close to shellfish. There are many middens below the Domain along the Derwent River.

In the 19^th Century the main activities on the Domain were cricket and strolling. It was also busy at regatta time.

The main public debate was how to get rid of its wild state and show it was under the control of a civilized community.  There was a lot of talk about drives, avenues, planting trees and formal gardens. The main reason we missed out on acres of formal gardens is because nobody could work out a way to pay for the landscaping.

The Domain was always seen as a place for recreation.  In the 19^th C the main physical activities by the people of Hobart on the Domain were strolling or promenading.  Running on the Domain as a recreational activity was not considered.  

There are many interesting areas on the Queens Domain.  Let’s take a look at some of them.

There are some concrete slabs on the east side of the hill. Between 1939-1945 a number of defense force installations were built on the Domain. These included workshops, camps, training facilities, searchlight batteries and air raid shelters. Building of a searchlight and air raid shelters in Hobart shows us the way the people of Hobart at the time were thinking.

There have been at least ten quarries on the Domain. One quarry was turned into Beaumaris Zoo.  Another became the site for the Hobart Aquatic Center. The quarries provided sandstone for construction of buildings in Hobart and dolerite for road building.  Government House, buildings in Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the powder magazine were all built with sandstone from quarries on the Domain.

A notable quarry is located near Clearys Gates and is now used by the council as a depot.  

On top of the hill are a number of sheds with radio masts. In 1911 Douglas Mawson went to the Antarctic. Prior to that he erected a 184 foot high radio mast with the aim of radio communication with Macquarie Island.

After his trip the radio operated as part of the maritime safety network.

An oak tree guards the top of the track to the botanical gardens. It is a magnificent specimen containing magical and mystical qualities. Something mysterious most have happened here at some time in the past.

Government House was built in 1855-8 and is regarded as one of the best Vice-Regal residences in the Commonwealth.  Government house is a picturesque building of brown and white sandstone surrounded by extensive gardens next to the botanical gardens.

From 1806 crops including wheat, corn, barley and vegetables were grown on the present site of Royal Botanical Gardens. The Royal Botanical Gardens were begun officially in 1818. The gardens have many plant collections, significant trees and the world’s only sub-Antarctic house.

The Domain Athletic Centre, Hobart Aquatic Centre and Domain Tennis Centre are all major sport facilities. They have all attracted major international sports people to major events. But more importantly they are very popular with locals. On many days I have seen locals battling on a tennis court, running around the athletic track or swimming laps of the pool.

Soldiers Memorial Avenue.  The first trees were planted in 1918. Since 2002 the avenue has been restored with new bronze plaques. The avenue commemorates 520 Tasmanians who died serving in WW1. In 1914 Tasmania’s population was 200,000.  Extrapolate that and today we would have 1,300 Tasmanians dying overseas in a military conflict.

Beaumaris Zoo was relocated from Battery Point in 1923. It was constructed in an old quarry which had been rehabilitated. The zoo featured tea rooms and band concerts on Sundays.  The zoo was where the haunting video of a Tasmanian tiger (thylacine) pacing his cage was taken. That tiger died in 1936. It was the last known thylacine. The zoo closed in 1937 but a lot of the enclosures remain.

The Hobart TCA cricket ground with picket fence and historical grandstands (built from 1880-1950) is spectacular with or without football and cricket contests. Greyhound racing has been held here but has long gone.

The Queens Domain is in the heart of Hobart.  It is commonly called the Domain and it assists in improving the physical, emotional and social health of the local community. It is a priceless asset, something many other cities would love to have, and in the future, I will not take it for granted.