Enjoy quiet, reflective moments in the tranquil surroundings of the Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens. This little green coastal escape is a tribute to the memory of Australian servicemen and women who lost their lives during times of war.
The garden was founded in 1917 and planted with 22 Norfolk Island pines to commemorate the 21 Victor Harbor men who died during World War I and the Unknown Soldier. Since then it has come to honor loss and sacrifice during subsequent international conflicts as well.
Stroll on the lawns or on the shaded path, passing the mature pine trees, including the original 22 memorial trees. Go to the small cenotaph, which has the names of people from the district who served during World Wars I and II and other conflicts.
See the marble Cross of Sacrifice, which has the words “Lest We Forget” inscribed in lead lettering. Nearby is the Long Tan Cross, a copy of a cross in a jungle in Vietnam that commemorates the Battle of Long Tan. Look at the field gun, which was captured from the German Army on the Hindenburg Line in France in 1918. After your walk, rest on a bench and enjoy the gorgeous coastal views as you reflect on the memorial.
Next to the memorial gardens is the Warland Reserve, which encompasses a playground, the South Australian Whale Centre and a fountain with a statue of a whale's tail. Make use of the picnic tables or the barbecue facilities of the adjacent Soldiers Memorial Reserve. While you are here, pay your respects to fallen soldiers at the memorial wall.
The Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens are open at all hours and there is no admission fee. The gardens are located next to the wooden causeway that connects Victor Harbor to Granite Island. The town is small enough to get around on foot, but if you don’t want to walk to the gardens, take a taxi or drive. There are free and paid parking spaces in the surrounding area.
