Trench Trail, Canberra Travel Guide

The Trench Trail, located within the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve in Fyshwick, ACT, provides a tangible link to Australia's involvement in World War I. This historical landmark features a preserved trench system used to train officers for the Western Front between 1916 and 1917. The Royal Military College at Duntroon hosted the AIF Officer Training School and the associated Trench Warfare & Bombing School, making this site a crucial training ground. The Governor-General in April 1916, described it as 'the best system of trenches in Australia'.Visitors can explore the meticulously preserved trenches and imagine the conditions faced by soldiers preparing for war. Interpretive signage along the trail provides context and stories, enriching your understanding of the site's importance. The trail includes a 'mock trench,' a timber structure simulating the depth and layout of a fire trench, offering visitors a sense of the challenges of trench warfare.After the war, the trench system was filled in and largely forgotten. It was rediscovered during historical research in 2014, and archaeological work in 2015 revealed the trench system is still visible below the surface. Today, the Trench Trail offers a unique combination of history, education, and natural beauty.