D.U.M.B. DAY TRIP to Wallangarra circa 2014

Back in 2014 (and again in 2016) I went in search of the infamous (and very well hidden) Wallangarra/Jennings Deep Underground Military Base (D.U.M.B), below is an account of our investigation in 2014 enjoy...

​For those not in the know, D.U.M.B. is short for Deep Underground (sometimes Underwater) Military Base, and it’s said that Australia has two major D.U.M.B’s, one at Pine Gap and the other at the foot of the Blue Mountains. There are a number of smaller D.U.M.B’s dotted around our various States, disguised as ordinary military and/or government installations. The Jennings Army Base, three hours’ drive from Brisbane and adjacent to Wallangarra, being one regularly discussed in online forums. Due to the continued banter, and the words of a source that has been inside this bases underground facilities, a small group of us decided to go and check out sleepy old Wallangarra. 

Heading off early, our first stopover was at a well-known UFO hot spot on the way to Wallangarra - Moogerah Dam. A friendly chat with the local Café owner confirmed strange craft sightings in and around the popular water source, but no military presence. After some excellent scones, jam and cream we got back on the road. 

Arriving in Warwick an hour later, we pulled into one of the landmark pubs in the area - the ‘Sandy Creek’. You would have thought we were ETs, by the looks we received from locals as we entered the pub and claimed some seats at the bar (nearest the door). After we ordered, and enquired about the pubs heritage we seemed to be making progress. In fact, I swear I saw a chink of light forcing its way through the native’s tough façade. All hope died quickly, when I subtly (or so I thought) brought the conversation around to local ET and UFO sightings – the silence was deafening. It was at this point that Wade donned his dark glasses and hat! We drank up quickly and got back on the road.

Wade, Sheree & Sharon (looking for the car keys) at the Sandy Creek Pub, Warwick

​At Stanthorpe (and only 30 minutes from our goal) we decided to visit a local winery to have a bite to eat and plan our afternoon activities in Wallangarra. After a twenty minute detour (not the first of the day sadly - bloody GPS or ET intervention!) we pulled up outside the much touted Robert Channon Winery only to discover that its fabled culinary kitchen was closed for the Xmas break. We ended up pooling our food (and wine tasters) and had a makeshift picnic in the backyard overlooking Stanthorpe and some amazing giant rocks. 

Finally arriving at Wallangarra around 1:00pm, we spent the first half hour or so driving around the small township, getting our bearings, and taking particular note of any buildings or structures that we would be visiting in the next few hours.  The area that we were told held the D.U.M.B. proved difficult to access (as you would expect), as a number of occupied houses now faced out from the site. Only a small stretch of dirt road (fenced on one side) was visible. Large fields containing cattle could be seen where the supposed D.U.M.B. resides. A number of time worn and dilapidated army demountable structures were situated nearby, the only proof (or link) to the D.U.M.B's earlier (or perhaps current) existence. 

As our information was not precise, we decided to visit the Wallangarra Railway Museum on Rockwell Street to hopefully gather more intel on the military's various locations within not only Wallangarra (Queensland) but also Jennings (New South Wales). 

Wade & Sharon at Wallangarra Railway Museum

The Railway Museum was a good decision; we found an exhibit that highlighted the exact location of the army dump (aka D.U.M.B.) as well as the entrances to two other military locations (and we also had the most amazing rum-balls and something that resembled a gooey macadamia slice).

D.U.M.B. location map inside Wallangarra Railway Museum

The Museum also, strangely, had its own T.A.R.D.I.S! I know, we thought that too…

T.A.R.D.I.S inside Wallangarra Railway Museum

With a better idea of the location of the army base (and after a quick trip in the T.A.R.D.I.S back to 1940’s Wallangarra), we made our way over the border into Jennings (NSW) and tracked down the original 1940’s storage location next to the local Gold Club. Access to this area was shielded by a large white gate 50 metres or so from the entry to an army installation signed Safe Base Bravo (this I'm told is a status of the base). Feeling brave, we drove into the bases car park and took a closer look at the original buildings, base and suspected D.U.M.B. location.

SAFE BASE BRAVO – Army Avenue Entrance

SAFE BASE BRAVO – Suspected D.U.M.B. entrance via building in field

It wasn't long before a Security Officer tapped on my window and asked us what we were doing. I asked for directions back to Stanthorpe and we left the base a little disappointed having found a suspected entrance to the D.U.M.B. but without any chance of investigating it further (short of breaking-in that is!).

Suspected D.U.M.B. location and entrances

We then headed to the other side of Jenning’s (near Beehive Dam) where we found a second (back) entrance to the army base. Again we drove in (mostly to do a U-turn) and found ourselves almost immediately spotted by two Security Officers (only one approached the car). 

Again, the Security Officer (by script) asked us the same question, so I again, requested directions back to Stanthorpe. This area seemed to be a lot more secure than the other, so we decided to drive around its perimeter (which fortunately was on the way to Beehive Dam - another UFO hotspot btw). A staggering number of warehouses lined the bases fences; most looked new and completely empty (shells). Apart from a few steel crates, cows and boxes, there didn’t seem to be any other materials lying around – or people. 

Empty warehouses or covers to entrances to the DUMB below?

Considering it was the Saturday before Xmas, I would imagine a lot of the base would be on leave, however, apart from the three Security Officers we didn’t see another military soul – not on the base, or in the (ghost) township - creepy!

SAFE BASE BRAVO – Bushabers Road (Back Entrance)

If a return visit is planned for Wallangarra in the future, I would suggest taking a 4WD and hiking boots as a visit to Beehive Dam would be a must. This dam has been the venue of a number of UFO sightings in the past, and due to its close proximity to the army base would definitely warrant a night-watch. 

I would also like to thank the source (who wishes to remain anonymous) of the Safe Base Bravo photographs above.

​Stay Alert!