Chapter 88 : the Queens Domain (Part 2)

During or after your parkrun on the Queens Domain you may glimpse something of interest. I will attempt to answer the question, “What is that?”

WWII DEFENSE FORCE SITE  

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. All that remains are some concrete slabs on the east side of the hill.

Building of a searchlight and air raid shelters in Hobart shows us the way the people of Hobart at the time were thinking.

BLUESTONE CULVERTS

Roads on the Domain are present on a map from 1887. The culverts present today are of a hybrid nature. The earliest components may relate to the 19^th C.

QUARRIES

There have been at least ten quarries on the Domain. Now they are visible as hollows with rock faces or rock walls.

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. This quarry began in the 1850s and 1860s.

WIRELESS STATION

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

The radio operated as part of the maritime safety network until 1946. 

Cleary Gates Road

In 1853 Malcolm or Martin Cleary was transported as a convict. For stealing a watch and clothes in Ireland. In 1856 he was given a conditional pardon.  In 1865 he was appointed as policeman on the Domain.

While working on the Domain he assisted in the catching of several smugglers.  Along with most police of that time he had an extra life. In his case it involved keeping a flock of goats on the Domain, which was fenced and had a number of gates. He had the first angora goats in Tasmania. In 1884 Cleary resigned to run a hotel in Melbourne.

Max’s Infinity Loop

The official name for the parkrun track. Named after Max Cherry. He was widely respected as an athletic coach and coached for over 50 years.  He passed away in 2008. 

Max talked about a circle having no start or finish and going on forever. A circle was infinite. Max talked about how your dreams should be infinite like a circle. 

The oak tree

Is visible from the bush track part of the parkrun. It 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.  Perhaps under a full moon.