It's a birdwatchers' paradise in the heart of Canberra, but during World War I it was a training ground for one of the grimmest forms of combat ever seen – trench warfare.
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The extensive trench system that once existed was uncovered during research for the 50th anniversary of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, to be celebrated on April 29.
Complete with dugouts, it ran for acres and was used to prepare officers from the Royal Military College at Duntroon for the war raging in Europe.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands natural and cultural history researcher Mark Butz said the discovery, 100 years after World War I began, was a big surprise.
''I was not aware that training was being carried out here in Australia,'' Mr Butz said. "It was described at the time as the finest trench system in Australia for training.
''They also did a lot of military engineering training crossing the Molonglo and building bridges. It was called the Trench Warfare and Bombing School.
''It was part of Duntroon's officer training.''
The trenches stretched across four or five acres and were first dug in 1916. Despite several major floods eroding them they remained intact for 20 years until they were completely filled in.
The wetlands area was part of the Duntroon rural property, which was the first piece of land acquired when the Territory was established.
The wetlands were created when Lake Burley Griffin finally filled in 1964. As part of the ancient flood plain it was considered a problem area by successive governments.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands management committee chairman Warren Nicholls said the wetlands had been all about the birds – with about 190 species spotted – but there was much more to its history.
"One of the scary things about this place is that it has been a reserve for almost 20 years but there is so little known about it,'' Mr Nicholls said.
"It is a flood plain in a reserve, which is very rare, and it is so close to the centre of the city.
Meanwhile preparations are being finalised for the 50th anniversary celebration of the wetlands.
Jerrabomberra Wetlands co-ordinator Deb Kellock said there would be guided walks, an afternoon tea and a presentation of the history of the site.
The event runs at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands offices, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, from 1pm to 4.30pm on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Call 0428 224 904 or email jill.faulkner@cwwct.org.au to book.
