When Newington Magazine was proposed, the 248 acres resumed for its use were described as mud flats, swamp and mangroves or salt marsh. The allocation grew in 1884 with an extra 109 hectares being made available for the magazine. Further increases were made in 1941 (38 hectares), 1946 (86 hectares), 1949 (20 hectares) and 1952 (6 hectares). The large scale reclamation eventually drained 200 acres of mud flats. At its largest, it stretched from the Parramatta River in the north to Parramatta Rd in the south.
In preparation for the Sydney Olympics in 2000, two thirds of the land was allocated for the building of the Athletes Village. Those building are still there today and now make up the suburb of Newington. The remaining section of the site that we have access to today is around 100 hectares, 48 hectares of that being the Newington Nature Reserve.
Was the site big enough to receive it’s own mail? Well the story goes that at one time there was a signpost at the corner of Silverwater Road and Holker Street pointing the way to the "Newington Magazine". A letter was received at the depot one day addressed to:
"The Editor
Newington Magazine"
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This cache is a special type of traditional container known as a Letterbox Cache. Inside you will find a stamp that you can use to in your own records to record your visit. The stamp remains inside the container for the next visitor to use.
*Access to Newington Armory is available 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm, using the existing pedestrian gates.
Did you know that NSW has a geocaching association? Geocaching NSW aims to enhance and improve the activity of geocaching and holds regular events where geocachers meet to enjoy their common interests. Visit the association website here.