The Queens Domain, also known as The Domain to locals, is an expansive area of bushland, parkland, and cultural sites located just north-east of the Hobart City Centre, bordering the River Derwent in the state capital of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1860 by gubernatorial decree, the Domain is public land preserved for community use and recreation.
History
Twenty-one Aboriginal sites within the Queens Domain are recorded in the Tasmanian Aboriginal Sites Index (TASI). Most sites are located along the River Derwent foreshore, with some extending inland. The foreshore and remnant grasslands are considered culturally significant to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. A designated high-sensitivity zone extends from the foreshore to the 50-metre contour. All sites are protected under the Aboriginal Relics Act 1975. Management guidelines ensure the preservation of Aboriginal heritage values in consultation with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council (TALC).
European occupation of the Domain began in 1804 after the colonists abandoned their first camp at Risdon Cove and settled at the site of the current Hobart City Centre.
Geography and environment
thumb|Soldier's Walk in Hobart, with a tree and plaque for each soldier lost in the Great War.
The highest point of the Domain reaches approximately , with a prominent radio mast nearby. The landscape comprises native bushland, open parklands, and historic sites.
Despite significant development, the Domain retains nationally significant remnants of its original grassy woodland landscape. Two of its seven native plant communities are classified as rare:
- Lowland Themeda triandra grasslands – Listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
- Eucalyptus globulus forest and woodlands – Listed as ‘Threatened’ under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.
These ecosystems support over 130 native plant species, including three listed as endangered or vulnerable under the EPBC Act and 16 classified as rare or threatened under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. The Domain’s landscape, with its distinctive grassy hues and silver-grey trees, contributes to Hobart’s natural character.