[2] There are a number of theories on the origin of the name, the first is that it was a direct reference to the Roman God of war and the marines' service in the colony.

The second theory is that it is named after the Roman Campus Martius, which also has a military connection.

The third theory is that it is named after the Champ de Mars in Paris, again with military connections.

[4] The reserve adjoins the Field of Mars Cemetery, bounded by Strangers Creek in the north and Wellington Road in the south.

The Field of Mars Fires devastated part of the reserve by bushfires in 2002.