As mentioned in a previous post, on Sunday, 26th October 2025, myself, Marija VK5MAZ, Hans VK6XN, Chris VK5FR, Hide 7M4MON, and Dan VK4DNO, activated the Callum Braw Nature Reserve VKFF-0836.
Callum Brae is located in Symonston, south of Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory.
The reserve’s western boundary is Mugga Lane, its northern boundary is Narrabunda Lane, while West Jerrabombera Nature Reserve is located just to its east.
Callum Brae Nature Reserve is 143 hectares in size and was established in 2008. The reserve is located on the lower eastern slopes of Mount Mugga Mugga. The reserve features large hollow-bearing eucalypts, predominantly Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum, which provide refuge for native birds (ACT Govt 2023)
The reserve is home to numerous species of native woodland birds, including Diamond Firetail, White-winged Triller, Varied Sittella, and Southern Whiteface. (ACT Govt 2023)
The area on which Callum Brae is now located has been used for farming since the early 1830s. Before becoming part of the Canberra Nature Parks, Callum Brae housed an explosives reserve from 1955 for about 40 years. Explosives for the Mugga Mugga quarry were stored in the powder magazines, which had a capacity to store 4,000 pounds of explosives in each magazine. The magazines are still found in the park and consist of three small brick buildings. (ACT Govt 2025)
Below is an excellent video on Callum Brae Nature Reserve.
Our main reason for heading to this park was to give Hide 7M4MON his first opportunity of activating a VKFF park, and to get Dan VK4DNO on air.
Above: Hide 7M4MON
Hide and Dan made a significant amount of contacts from the park.
Above: Dan VK4DNO on air making contacts.
Once Hide and Dan had their fill of contacts, Marija, myself, Hans, and Chris got on air and made a number of contacts.
We had a nice operating spot just inside the gate on Mugga Lane. We had a bit of interest from bushwalkers and birdwatchers.
Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK2VIC
- VK1VIC
- VK2GOY
- VK2GOM
- VK2VAR
- VK5AYL
- VK2IO
- VK2GEZ
- VK3SG
- VK3CLD
- VK2DBF
- VK5Q
- VK2PKT
- VK2KFT
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK1AD
- VK2AD
I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-
- VK5AYL
- VK2IO/P (VKFF-0834)
- VK2GEZ/P (VKFF-0834)
- VK3SG
- VK3CLD
- VK5QA
- VK2DBF
- VK2PKT
- VK2KFT
- VK1AO
- VK2MET
- VK2DA
- VK1DA
References.
- ACT Government (2023). Callum Brae Nature Reserve. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.parks.act.gov.au/find-a-nature-park/canberra-nature-park/callum-brae-nature-reserve [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].
- ACT Government (2025). Powder Magazines – Canberra Tracks. [online] Act.gov.au. Available at: https://www.canberratracks.act.gov.au/heritage-trails/track-7-woden-heritage-track/powder-magazines [Accessed 21 Jan. 2026].
VK5PAS 