Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store, Stratford, Heritage-listed explosives storage facility in Stratford, Australia.
The Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store in Stratford is a facility with several concrete structures built specifically to safely store mining explosives and detonators. The design features thick walls, reinforced foundations, and ventilation systems that were carefully planned to prevent accidents and protect the stored materials.
The facility was constructed in 1901 in response to growing demands from the expanding railway and mining industries in the region. It operated as a central storage point for explosives over several decades before closing in 1963.
The site's name comes from Magazine Street and Magazine Creek, the latter named for the floating powder barge anchored off Trinity Inlet from 1884. Explosives arrived by the Cairns-Mareeba Railway siding built to the reserve, and keeper Arthur Howgego (1915–1939) sent most shipments to Mount Mulligan, Mount Molloy, Mareeba and Biboohra.
The site is located in Stratford, Queensland, and is registered as a heritage property. Visitors should check in advance whether the site is open for viewing, as access to such protected facilities may be limited.
The main magazine held over 6,000 cases of explosives, and its timber floor was raised 3 feet (0.91 m) above the ground so air could circulate beneath it. Roof ventilators and grated airholes in the thick concrete walls kept the interior ventilated. A high galvanised iron fence surrounded the buildings, and the Railways Department built a loop line and siding to the magazine.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,048 contributors worldwide.