Historical information

Jack's Magazine located in Magazine Way, Maribyrnong was constructed between 1876 to 1878 by contractor George Cornwell, under the Victorian Public Works Department and architect William Wardell. At this time, it was the largest magazine complex ever built in Victoria.

The purposes of the magazines were for safe storage of imported gunpowder for the colony of Victoria.

Maribyrnong was originally part of the former Shire of Braybrook and later the City of Sunshine. However, in 1994, Victoria underwent council amalgamations, which resulted in Braybrook being incorporated into the City of Maribyrnong.

The suburb of Maribyrnong continues to attract considerable attention from the residents of City of Brimbank, particularly its historical features, the old buildings and distinctive streetscapes that characterise the area.

Significance

Jack’s Magazine is one of Victoria’s most important surviving explosives storage complexes, built in 1878 and used for more than a century to store gunpowder and later munitions for the nearby ammunition factories. Today it stands as a remarkably intact industrial heritage site on the Maribyrnong River.

Physical description

Collection of digital photographs

Inscriptions & markings

5603.01 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 01.JPG
5603.02 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 02.JPG
5603.03 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 03.JPG
5603.04 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 04.JPG
5603.05 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 05.JPG
5603.06 - Jack's Magazine 2025 Photo 06.JPG
5603.07 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 07.JPG
5603.08 - Jack's Magazine - Melbourne Skyline 2025 Photo 08.JPG