Commemorative trees – living memorials
Trees are an important part of the story of Canberra. Many have symbolic meanings or commemorate significant national events.
This part of the trail follows a short section of the Remembrance Driveway, a planted tribute to Australians who served in the Second World War and subsequent conflicts. Commenced in 1954, it covers a 320-kilometre section of the Federal Highway which links Sydney to Canberra.
The idea of planting street trees as war memorials was promoted in Great Britain following the end of the First World War. Mrs Margaret Davis established the Garden Club of Australia and championed the concept of a Remembrance Driveway after the conclusion of the Second World War. The ambitious project took many years to be implemented and, as a living memorial, continues to evolve.
Concluding at Remembrance Park, behind the Australian War Memorial, the Remembrance Driveway is an integral part of the symbolic landscape of Canberra.
Ngunnawal natural resource management – Canberra's woodlands
To Ngunnawal people, burning Country is important for maintaining a healthy landscape, regenerating resources, providing accessibility for hunting, and for spiritual and cultural purposes.
The Ngunnawal name for fire is 'Kanbi', and its use was based on a deep understanding of natural systems and cycles. Caring for Country is an essential part of Aboriginal spirituality. These intimate interactions and relationships were maintained through customary lore, ceremony, stories and cultural practices passed down for thousands of generations.
Each member of the community was given the responsibility for different species of plants and animals, called 'Ngulli' (totems). The community worked together as a highly efficient network to observe and maintain the cultural balance of the traditional landscape. The systematic use of Kanbi by Ngunnawal people maintained the open woodlands that shaped the Canberra region.
Today Ngunnawal fire knowledge is integrated into the bushfire management in the ACT. A return to cool burning practices is the main management tool being used to protect and ensure the growth of a healthy community of animals, plants and people within the landscape.
Natural values
Look out for pictures of the trail’s flora and fauna on each of the trail head signs. Learn about Canberra's plants and animals and bring a pencil and your own copy of the Whose Backyard activity sheet (1.9 MB) to collect a special pencil rubbing for each trail section.
In this section, you may see:
- Grassland Paper-daisies
- Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii)
- Shingleback lizard (Tiliqua rugosa)
Add a sighting to the NatureMapr or visit the Canberra Birds website.
