[3][4] A karaka tree associated with the death of Ngāi Tai and Ngāti Pāoa ancestor Māhia is located at the bay.

The mine operated for ten years and found very little gold, but left significant piles of clay.

[9][7] The storage facility is the namesake of the bay, and during World War II the magazine was enlarged and used to store ammunition.

During this period, the facility was camouflaged, and protected by home guard soldiers based at Maraetai.

[10] Since 2010, the land adjacent to Magazine Bay and neighbouring Waiomanu Beach has been protected as a public reserve.