Imagine a time when Bantry Bay was a bustling hub of activity. Not picnics and laughter but the serious business of storing military explosives. Bantry Bay is located in the Garigal National Park. It is within Sydney Harbour in New South Wales.
Let’s step back to the early 20th century. The area around Bantry Bay was chosen as a public magazine reserve in January 1907. This cost $23000. More land was added in 1908. This was to prevent development near the dangerous explosives area.
The bay itself was named after Bantry Bay in Ireland. Interestingly Bantry is the deepest natural hole in Sydney Harbour. Its depth reaches 40m. This made it ideal for large ships carrying explosives.
In 1909 plans were made for sea walls and hillside excavation. The work was slow because of a lack of money. Enormous amounts of rock were removed to build the magazines. This rock was used to create a new sea wall. It also helped reclaim land. By 1913 the excavation and sea wall were completed.
Nine magazines were built into the hillside to contain blasts. Each magazine was about 13 x 9 meters. They were situated inside stone embrasures. The close walls and overhanging roofs helped keep the magazines cool. Fire prevention systems were also installed. These included roof sprinklers and lightning conductors.
A light rail system was essential for transporting explosives. It ran from the jetties to each magazine. Another line ran along the seawall. This system moved crates from ships to the magazines.
By 1915 the magazines were already overstocked. Three temporary buildings were added in 1916. These buildings differed in construction. They used fibro-cement and flat iron roofs.
The state Explosives Department took over in 1915. They regulated the explosives industry in NSW. Operations at Bantry Bay ended in 1973. The facility was then closed.
Today the NSW Government maintains the site. In 2003 they announced a $350000 investment. This was for restoring the aging roofs.
Although the site is closed to the public, you can see it. Good views are available from the Timbergetter’s track. This track starts at Seaforth Oval. Walking tracks also go around the west side of the magazines.
Consider this. Bantry Bay, once a place of high security and hidden danger, now offers a glimpse into Sydney’s past. It is a reminder of the area’s industrial and military history. The bay stands as a testament to a time when explosives shaped the landscape.