West Melbourne and Beyond

Truganina Explosives Reserve

The Truganina Explosives Reserve is one of Altona's hidden gems, providing a unique blend of historical intrigue and natural beauty. Nestled over 55 hectares, this reserve tells a tale of Victoria's industrial past, harking back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it served as an essential storage site for explosives.

The Truganina Explosives Reserve was established in the late 19th century (around 1880s) as a safe location to store explosives away from the main population of Melbourne. The Truganina Explosives Reserve replaced Jack's Magazine in Maribyrnong whose population had grown substantially and the placement of explosives was deemed too dangerous to be in close proximity to a now highly populated area. At the time Truganina Explosives Reserve was built, Altona had a population of only 50 people.

Explosives were imported from overseas or transported from other states and were transferred from ships and stored at the reserve before being distributed throughout Victoria. It operated as an explosives storage facility until the 1960s.

Keepers Quarters

The Keeper's Quarters at the Truganina Explosives Reserve in Altona played an essential role in the daily operations of the site. Given the sensitive and potentially dangerous nature of storing and handling explosives, it was crucial to have personnel on-site around the clock.

Truganina Explosives Reserve Room inside the Keepers Quarters building — *Image: West Melbourne and Beyond. Room inside the Keepers Quarters building.*

To minimize risk, the quarters were typically built at a safe distance from the storage magazines and other critical infrastructure. They were simple in design, functional, and built to cater to the basic needs of the staff residing there.

The key personnel, or 'keepers,' were tasked with monitoring the site, ensuring the safe handling and storage of explosives, and managing any incidents. Living on-site meant that they could rapidly respond to any situations that arose, especially outside of regular working hours.

Truganina Explosives Reserve View from rear of Keepers Quarters. — *Image: West Melbourne and Beyond. View from rear of Keepers Quarters.*

The Keepers quarters were derelict for many years and only thanks to work of volunteers has it been restored to such a level that now all the rooms can be entered to vistors of the estate. Many thanks to the Hobson Bays Mens Shed Inc who have contributed freely to this restoration.

Under Keeper Quarters

The Under Keeper's Quarters was a residence for the subordinate or assistant to the main Keeper. The Under Keeper would have played a vital role in supporting the Keeper in managing the daily operations, security, and safety of the reserve. In the absence of the Keeper or during shifts, the Under Keeper would likely take on many of the primary responsibilities.

Similar to the Keeper's Quarters, the Under Keeper's Quarters was functional and designed for living and located at a safe distance from the explosive storage magazines and other crucial infrastructure. While it was simpler and smaller than the main Keeper's residence, it was still equipped to provide for the needs of the under keeper.

Having both a Keeper and an Under Keeper ensured that someone was always available to manage the site, respond to emergencies, and maintain safety protocols.

Truganina Explosives Reserve Room in Under Keeper Quarters building — *Image: West Melbourne and Beyond. Room in Under Keeper Quarters building.*

Scientific Laboratory

The scientific laboratory's primary function was to test the quality, stability, and safety of the explosives stored at the reserve. Given the inherent risks associated with explosives, ensuring their stability and quality was paramount.

The scientific laboratory's buildings present day use is to show some taxidermy displays of the native wildlife and house some conservation and nature information posters.

Truganina Explosives Reserve Scientific Laboratory — *Image: West Melbourne and Beyond. Scientific Laboratory and Storage.*

Ports and Harbours Mound

The Ports and Harbours Mound was used for the storage of explosives. Its design and location within the reserve was strategic to ensure safety and mitigate the impact in the event of accidental detonation.

Mounds or earth-covered magazines were common designs in explosive storage areas because the earth covering acted as a protective layer, helping to contain any accidental explosions and reducing the potential for a chain reaction with nearby explosives. This design also helped maintain a consistent temperature, important for the stability of certain types of explosives.

Waste Mound

This mound was used to dispose of unstable explosives. It also served as an air raid shelter in World War I and II although thankfully never had to be used for this purpose in real life.

Smoko Hut

The 'smoko' hut was built during the Great Despression (1929 - 1939). Due to the poverty of the time the workers had to build their own 'smoko' hut. They were able to scrounge around and construct this basic smoko hut with brick fireplace, corrugated iron chimney, table and benches to sit on.

Conservation and Nature

Truganina Explosives Reserve nature — *Image: West Melbourne and Beyond. Scientific Laboratory and Storage.*

The reserve has become an important sanctuary for native flora and fauna. Wetland areas within the reserve attract various bird species, and the vegetation offers habitat for several terrestrial animals. The reserve is home to coastal alkaline scrub, coastal grasslands, sedgelands and salt marsh. There are sheoak trees, some introduced pine and native gum-trees albeit from NSW.

The reserve is also home to some native animals including Rakali (a native Australian otter), microbat (Lesser long-eared bat), Bouganville's skink, white-lipped snake and whip snake. There are signs dotted throughout the reserve warning about snakes!

Windmill

Prior to 1950 a windmill in the yard of the Keeper's Quarters pumped water from a bore to both the Keepers Quarters and the Under Keepers Quarters.

Location

Truganina Explosives Reserve is located at 276 Queen St, Altona VIC 3018. This is opposite Kooringal Golf Course.

When

The Truganina Explosives Reserve is open on the first Sunday of the month from 1PM-4PM. The reserve has a hosted tour of the of the Reserve although you are self-guided through both the Keepers Quarters and Under Keepers Quarters.

There is no entrance fee although donations are kindly accepted.

In A Nutshell

The Truganina Explosives Reserve is a great place to learn about the history and historic importance of the Reserve and its continuing importance as a conservation and nature area in the present day. If you have an inquisitive mind you will really learn a lot when you come to the Truganina Explosives Reserve. The manicured gardens and both the Keepers Quarters, Under Keepers Quarters and vege garden are also a very attractive visual sight. Recommended for history buffs, nature lovers and tourists both local and foreign.