20/03/2026
📍Powder Magazine Ruin, Wallaroo, SA
This spot popped up on Google Maps while we were planning our trip, and it turned into one of those “why not go have a look?” moments.
Getting there was a bit of a mission. We drove out to the Magazine Bay lookout thinking we could drive all the way in… turns out, not quite. We hit a carpark with boulders blocking what looked like an old sandy 4WD track.
It was hot, late in the afternoon, and I was ready to turn back, but Dad and my very excited 8-year-old nephew were keen, so off we went.
The walk took about 15 minutes one way. Sandy in parts, a couple of small hills, but nothing too bad. And then the ruins appeared.
It’s pretty obvious the site hasn’t been looked after with graffiti and rubbish around, which is such a shame considering the history, but it was still really interesting to explore. The views were great, and we had a lot of fun wandering around the structure and checking out the surrounds.
There was an information sign we discovered when returning to our car at the beginning of the walking track. This gave a snap shot of the history of the Powder Magazine which was interesting to read.
🔹Power Magazine History🔹
The Old Powder Magazine at Magazine Bay, Wallaroo was built in 1867 to safely store large quantities of gunpowder needed for blasting in the Wallaroo and Moonta mines.
The first shipment of gunpowder arrived on 27 April 1867 aboard the schooner Eclipse, delivering supplies for both mines. A stone jetty was used for unloading and a dedicated keeper was responsible for overseeing the storage and safety of the explosives.
Over time, the magazine gained a reputation due to various incidents, including explosions, transport robberies, and illegal shipments. When mining operations in the area closed in 1923, the need for gunpowder storage ended.
Sometimes the unplanned stops turn out to be the best ones 😊
🔹Have you visited the Powder Magazine before?
🔹Do you know about the history of this landmark?