Explosive Magazine circuit walk, Bruthen
Explosive Magazine circuit walk, Bruthen
Take in the lovely Box Ironbark forest (part of the Bruthen State Forest) while learning about the area's indigenous history, and some explosive facts about its recent past.
Summary
Take in the lovely Box Ironbark forest (part of the Bruthen State Forest) while learning about the area's indigenous history, and some explosive facts about its recent past.
Description
One of five 'Bruthen Walking Trails' located north of the town, this 2.5km circuit is a nice mix of nature and history. Looping off the all-abilities Easy Magic walk (600m loop), the Explosive Magazine track passes through undulating forest and crosses gullies and forest roads.
The walk gets its name from the small concrete hut at its halfway point, which was built (about early 1900s?) for storing explosives, used to blast rocks to make road building material. The embankments surrounding the hut was to ensure any accidentally set-off explosives would send the hut upwards (not outward)!
People entering wore rubber boots to protect themselves from static electricity, which could have set off an explosion! You cannot enter the hut but there's an information board to tell the story.
The walk doubles back on a different track, heading back through the Ironbark and Red Box forest to link back up with the Easy Magic track back to the car park.
The Box Ironbark forest provides habitat for different species of owl, which feed on possums and gliders. There is also some Manna gum habitat for koalas although the 2019-2020 summer bushfires have left a mark. Much of this walk is along narrow dirt track. It's uneven in parts (although there are no steps).
Note: Ignore the orange sign at the start of the walk that puts this track at 4.5km. It is incorrect as the original route appears to have been shortened - with all others wayfinding signage (and our GPX!) indicating the Explosive Magazine walk is now a 2.5km loop. Do not attempt the longer route, which is still marked on the Google Map. Follow our red route line and the signage by the track!
Find out more about the Bruthen State Forest this walk is located in.
Please note there are no toilets located at the Bruthen Walking Trails.
Dogs are permitted in state forest but must be kept on-leash at all times to protect native flora and fauna.
Our East Gippsland Shire walks were mapped with support from VicHealth .
1619 Views
Points of Interest
1. Walk trail starts
The Bruthen Walking trails (5-6 shorter walks established in 2005) all begin at this point.
2. Marker go left
Follow the sign to continue along the Explosive Magazine track, which gets a little steeper soon.
3. Keep straight ahead
There is a turning point here off to the right for the Berry Farm Loop. Stick on the path that takes you straight to continue along the Explosive Magazine and Plane Crash loop.
4. Wattles
Winter wattle is a lovely sight but in Spring the forest is dotted with wildflowers.
5. Big chunk of granite!
You'll cross a roadway just after you pass this big rock and continue straight. What a shame these lovely stones were blown up to make roads. Now they are common as kitchen benchtops!
6. Explosive and Plane Crash track split point
To take the longer Plane Crash loop you would head to the right here, but head around to the little track at left to visit the Explosives hut for which this walk is named.
7. Explosive Hut
It's not much to look at but fascinating nevertheless. This was the storage hut for explosives used to bust up granite for road building in town. It's located in a ditch in case things went wrong!
8. Turning point
There were many granite quarries early 1900s. Don't follow the same path you came to the hut on. Continue the Explosive Magazine walk along the narrow dirt track that spikes off to south east.
9. Track is less well formed here
Take care to keep on track while also appreciating the bush scenery.
10. Bushfire remnants
The 2019-2020 bushfires that ravaged Eastern Victoria certainly left a mark here. But we have a feeling this tree has also felt some human impacts ... Please respect the bush!
11. Cross vehicle tracks
Cross two sets of roads (Brooks and Pipe Dump) and continue straight.
12. Back on the Magic track
About here you'll get back onto the foundation track, the Easy Magic Loop which takes you back to the car park. Take a moment to read up on the forest flora and fauna. A nice change from explosives!
Features
Seating available
Historical interest
Nature trail
