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Moonta

Moonta Mines State Heritage Area, South Australian Tourism Commission

Population 3353

The towns of Moonta, Kadina and Wallaroo form the 'Copper Coast' or 'Little Cornwall', so called because of abundant copper finds and the significant Cornish population. Like so many other copper discoveries in South Australia, Moonta's was made by a local shepherd – in this case, Paddy Ryan in 1861. It was to prove a fortunate find: Moonta Mining Company paid over £1 million in dividends. Thousands of miners, including experienced labourers from Cornwall, flocked to the area. The mines were abandoned in the 1920s because of the slump in copper prices and rising labour costs. Moonta has survived as an agricultural service town with an increasing tourist trade.

Visitor Information

Railway Station, Blanche Tce; (08) 8825 1891

www.yorkepeninsula.com.au

Nearby national parks

  • Innes National Park

    Innes National Park, at the south-western extremity of the Yorke Peninsula, comprises a coastal environment of saline lakes, salt flats,...more

  • Mount Remarkable National Park

    Mount Remarkable National Park, in the southern reaches of the Flinders Ranges, is a beautiful bushland park with pretty creeks, steep...more

  • Belair National Park

    Set aside in 1891, Belair National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the world and the first in South Australia. Treasured for its...more

Nearby towns

  • Wallaroo

    Vast grain silos greet visitors to Wallaroo, a coastal town and shipping port on the west coast of Yorke Peninsula. The town is an...more

  • Kadina

    Kadina exists solely as a result of the digging habits of wombats. In 1860 upturned ground from wombat diggings revealed copper. This was...more

  • Maitland

    Maitland represents a much smaller version of the city of Adelaide, with the town layout in the same pattern of radiating squares. It is...more

In Town

All Saints Church of England: features a locally constructed copper bell; cnr Blanche and Milne tces. Queen Square: park for picnics, with the imposing town hall opposite; George St. Heritage walks and drives: self-guide trails to see heritage stone buildings and historic mine sites; brochure from visitor centre.

Nearby

Moonta Mines State Heritage Area Take a historical walk or drive from Moonta to this significant heritage area. Interpretive walking trails guide the visitor to the major sites, including the Hughes Pump House, shafts, tailing heaps and ruins of mine offices. A 50 min historical railway tour runs from the museum (tours depart Wed 2pm, Sat and Sun 1–3pm on the hour, public/school holidays daily 11–3pm on the hour). Also on the site is a historic 1880 pipe organ in the Moonta Mines Heritage Uniting Church; Cornish lifestyle history and memorabilia at the Moonta Mines Museum; and the National Trust furnished Miners Cottage and Heritage Garden. Open 1–4pm daily. Enjoy old-style sweets at the Moonta Mines Sweet Shop. Via Verran Tce; 2 km SE.

Wheal Hughes Copper Mine: underground tour of one of the modern mines; tours Wed, Sat and Sun; Wallaroo Rd; (08) 8825 1891; 3 km N. Moonta Bay: a popular seaside town for fishing and swimming. See native animals at the Moonta Wildlife Park; 5 km W.

Fishing spots near town

Wallaroo 17 km

The small SA seaport of Wallaroo, north of Moonta, offers an excellent base for anglers wanting to catch big snapper, King George whiting, Australian salmon and yellowtail kingfish. Many of the reef systems are close to... Find out more


Ardrossan 51 km

Located on the east side of the Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan is bountiful water just 150 km west of Adelaide, so is a popular weekend fishing destination. Looking out on the long pier at Ardrossan, it’s striking how... Find out more


Port Broughton 62 km

Port Broughton is a favourite destination for anglers wanting to fish from charter boats. The boat ramp in the sheltered harbour is next to a small pier complex and is popular for small fish including salmon, Tommy ruff,... Find out more


Whyalla 114 km

Whyalla is snapper central for anglers. Every Easter the Australian Snapper Championships are based here and the top ten snapper weighed in are always over 10 kg. As you would expect with a destination where fishing is... Find out more


Point Lowly 119 km

The Point Lowly lighthouse marks the southern extremity of Fitzgerald Bay. Near the lighthouse is a small community of shacks. These lighthouse cottages are cared for by the Uniting Church, and are available for hire. It... Find out more


Fitzgerald Bay 127 km

Snapper fishing has a language all of its own. In Queensland and NSW, anglers talk about small snapper as ‘squire’. In Victoria, small snapper are ‘pinkies’; in SA, they are known as... Find out more


Marion Bay 142 km

Situated at the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula, Marion Bay is angler central and offers access to spectacular offshore and beach fishing. Southern beaches from Marion Bay east to Troubridge, such as Butlers, provide top... Find out more


West Coast 146 km

Head to Innes National Park, at the southern end of Yorke Peninsula, to find two noteworthy places for anglers. The first is Pandalowie Bay where boats can be launched and, north of this, Browns Beach. The latter is well... Find out more


Wedge Island 159 km

Wedge Island is one of a number of small islands making up the Gambier Group, about 19 nautical miles west of the southern toe of the Yorke Peninsula. Viewed from the sea it is easy to see how the island got its name... Find out more


Neptune Islands 190 km

Ever wondered where the filming was done for one of those documentaries where divers film great white sharks from the safety of underwater cages? One of the most popular areas for that sort of adventure is around South... Find out more


Eco-friendly activities around town

Inland aquaculture 114 km

Stuart High School Murray Cod Enterprises offers tours of an aquaculture farm in which you will see growth stages of the Murray cod. You will learn how the farm minimises dependence on mains water and how wastewater is... Find out more


Swimming with dolphins off Glenelg 132 km

Since 2002, the eco-accredited Temptation Sailing has offered a ‘swim with the dolphins sail’ on a 17-metre catamaran out of Glenelg, in which the bottlenose and common dolphins reputedly come to the vessel... Find out more


Adelaide Zoo 133 km

With its catchphrase ‘We exist to save animals from extinction’, this is another of Australia’s excellent zoos. The sea-lion display and walkthrough rainforest aviary are particularly recommended.... Find out more


Aboriginal gallery, Adelaide 133 km

The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum holds the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Some 3000 are on display at any one time.... Find out more


Mountain-biking near Adelaide 134 km

Eagle Mountain, 12 kilometres south-east of the CBD, is well set up for mountain-bikers, with around 21 kilometres of cross-country tracks, a skills development park and a jumps area. You can hire mountain bikes for the... Find out more


Cycling in the Barossa 136 km

In the Barossa, you can hire bikes from the visitor centre in Tanunda and take the paved 7-kilometre cycle path to Nuriootpa. For a guided, multi-day supported bike tour, sampling the best of the region’s cuisine... Find out more


Wine-tasting - Nuriootpa and Angaston 138 km

Elderton Wines near Nuriootpa is a carbonneutral winery. Its cellar door is partially solar-powered and the vineyard is using biodynamic methods of production. Yalumba in Angaston has three organic wines and an... Find out more


Mangrove walk at Berryman Crescent 141 km

The most southerly mangroves in Australia can be explored at Berryman Crescent in Tumby Bay on the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula, with an excellent boardwalk with interpretive signs.... Find out more


Diving and snorkelling off the Fleurieu Peninsula 171 km

Some of the state’s best diving – particularly in-shore and around jetties – is on the Fleurieu Peninsula, with leafy sea dragons, shipwrecks, dolphins and myriad fish species. Second Valley is great... Find out more


Diving off the Eyre Peninsula 174 km

Port Lincoln Diving Services recommends a few in-shore dives around the south-east of the Eyre Peninsula, including Coles Point, with a reasonable chance of seeing crayfish and abalone, and the Tumby Bay jetty, with its... Find out more


Golf courses around town

The Grange Golf Club (West Course) 124 km

Melbourne’s sandbelt wasn’t the only region in which golf course construction was booming during the 1920s. Various sites in Adelaide’s western suburbs – Kooyonga in 1922, Glenelg in 1926... Find out more


The Grange Golf Club (East Course) 124 km

Vern Morcom was working on the final changes to The Grange’s West course redesign when the club announced plans for a second course. Morcom was asked to design it, on 150 acres of adjoining land, and the East... Find out more


Royal Adelaide Golf Club 125 km

In the city of churches, Royal Adelaide is the golfing equivalent of the Vatican. Every visiting golfer should make a pilgrimage to this Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed layout, one of Australia’s top 10 courses,... Find out more


Kooyonga Golf Club 129 km

Kooyonga is a thinking player’s golf course. One of the game’s greatest strategists, Peter Thomson, gave an insight into what is required to play well at Kooyonga after winning the 1972 Australian Open... Find out more


Glenelg Golf Club 132 km

Glenelg is to Adelaide what Bondi is to Sydney – the city’s most popular beach suburb. The terminus for the City to Bay tram, a Glenelg icon, can be found where Jetty Rd meets the beach, where you will... Find out more


Links Lady Bay Resort 169 km

‘A pleasurable golf course,’ Dr Alister MacKenzie once wrote, ‘is not necessarily one that appeals at first sight, but rather one that grows on a player like good music, good painting, or good... Find out more


Nearby eco-friendly places to eat

Goodlife 133 km

This innovative restaurant and takeaway not only makes carbon-neutral pizzas, but also places an emphasis on sourcing produce that is organic and local. Takeaway pizzas here even come tied up with string.... Find out more


The Organic Market and Cafe 147 km

This bustling cafe and organic produce outlet in Stirling was the national winner of the best organic retailer award. Something of an institution in the area, it has delicious antipasto platters and great coffee. About... Find out more


The Locavore 147 km

The Locavore (‘local eater’) at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills sticks to the ‘100-mile’ philosophy of sourcing food, which in its case includes the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the... Find out more


Nearby breweries

Knappstein Enterprise Brewery 98 km

History has turned full circle for the Clare Valley’s Enterprise Brewery, which ceased beer-making operations in 1916, but was revived for its original purpose in 2006. In between time, this gorgeous sandstone... Find out more


Brewboys 127 km

One of the country’s newest craft beermaking enterprises, Brewboys is a partnership between Stephen Nelsen and Simon Sellick, who also operate the contract brewing company Fresh Cellars. At present they utilise a... Find out more


Coopers Brewery 128 km

More than any other Australian brewery, Coopers has grown significant market share over the past two decades on the back of increased demand for alternative beer styles. It was established in 1862 by Yorkshireman Thomas... Find out more


South Australian Brewing Company 131 km

Established in 1888, the South Australian Brewing Company became the state’s dominant beer-maker by steadily acquiring competitors like the Kent Town Brewery, West End Brewery and the Walkerville Co-operative... Find out more


Adelaide Hills Craft Brewing 151 km

Located in the former Onkaparinga woollen mill complex at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, this brewery/bar is run by Alistair Turnbull and Phil Jones. The pair turned their backs on careers in banking to study brewing in... Find out more


The Steam Exchange Company 194 km

South Australia seems to have more than its fair share of craft breweries in significant historical locations, and The Steam Exchange Brewery is no exception. It’s housed in a heritage-listed former railway goods... Find out more


Campsites around town

The Gap camping area 20 km

Several beachfront sites huddle among the dunes here, on the remote north-west coast. The water is easy to access – including boat launching – and the long, dazzling stretch of beach to the north is popular... Find out more


The Bamboos camping area 22 km

There’s a varied coastline to discover here: rocky headlands, seagrass shallows, white sand beaches. The camping is behind the dunes, 12 km north of Balgowan.... Find out more


Tiparra Rocks camping area 26 km

This is the first of 3 coastal reserve camping areas, 8 km north of the seaside settlement of  Balgowan. A crust of vivid red cliffs marks the edge of the peninsula south of this site. You’ll find lots of... Find out more


Maitland Overnight Camping Bay 35 km

This small overnight caravan stop in the centrally located town of Maitland is just opposite the hospital at the northen end of Robert St.... Find out more


Port Arthur Roadside Rest Area 45 km

A shady, no-frills stop for weary travellers at the head of Gulf St Vincent, the rest area is close to mangrove flats where you might see wading birds at low tide. It’s just off the Port Wakefield to Yorketown... Find out more


Wauraltee Beach camping area 59 km

Go camping beside the wild sprawl of beach south of Port Victoria, a low-key fishing and swimming destination with large areas of coastal reserve to wander. The camping area is on the peninsula’s western flanks, 17... Find out more


Black Point camping area 68 km

Black Point’s sweep of north-facing beach is hugely popular at peak holiday periods. This small open area is right next to the boat ramp and main road at the western end of the housing strip; powered sites are... Find out more


Franklin Harbour camping area (bush camping) 69 km

Camping for self-sufficient campers is reached with a 4WD via Wellington Rd. Bring your own everything.... Find out more


Port Julia Oval camping area 72 km

Basic community-supported camping is possible in the small coastal town of Port Julia, on the north-east coast. It’s a popular fishing and seasonal crabbing spot, 17 km north of Port Vincent off the coast road.... Find out more


Barkers Rocks camping area 73 km

Basic beachside camping is available on the narrow strip of coastal reserve between Port Rickaby and Bluff Beach. Being west-facing, it’s great for sunsets and beachcombing but there’s not much shelter in... Find out more


Caravan parks around town

Port Broughton Caravan Park 60 km

A large park on the waterfront at the small town of Port Broughton, this is ideal for a quiet break or for fishing and crabbing. Bookings are required in peak periods, and a minimum-length stay period applies at Easter... Find out more


Cowell Foreshore Caravan Park and Holiday Units 74 km

Located on the foreshore at the end of the main street, this park is ideally situated for those who enjoy walking everywhere. Fresh Cowell oysters are on sale at reception. Bookings are required from January to April,... Find out more


Arno Bay Foreshore Tourist Park 95 km

Close to the water, with good facilities, this is an attractive park that would be a great holiday destination, particularly for those interested in a little fishing. Bookings are necessary for the summer and Easter... Find out more


Crystal Brook Caravan Park 98 km

This is a small, neat council-owned park just on the edge of town. It is a very pretty park with large red gums, a creek alongside, and lawn sites. We find it good value.... Find out more


Port Pirie Beach Caravan Park 106 km

This beachfront caravan park is just 1.5 km from the town centre and offers a range of facilities to suit most travellers. Nicely angled drive-through sites, clean amenities and friendly staff make this our pick of the... Find out more


Discovery Holiday Parks – Whyalla Foreshore 113 km

Now part of the Beston Group, this large park close to town has most amenities for tourists. Bookings are required at Easter.... Find out more


Discovery Holiday Parks - Adelaide Beachfront 120 km

With very good amenities and a wide range of facilities, this quality park is close to Port Adelaide, Football Park and the West Lakes shopping complex, as well as only 10 km from the city centre. It is one of... Find out more


Gawler Caravan Park 122 km

This is a good quality park close to the town centre and located on the banks of the Gawler River. It is a good base for exploring the nearby Barossa Valley and is easily accessible from the Sturt and Barrier highways.... Find out more


Burra Caravan and Camping Park 132 km

This picturesque park is situated alongside a creek just two minutes walk from the centre of Burra, a historic mining town. The park has good basic facilities and plenty of large shady trees. It is an excellent base from... Find out more


Levi Park Caravan Park 132 km

Levi Park is just 6 km from the city and a very good base for exploring central Adelaide. It has shady caravan sites and pleasant grassy tent sites, all located in a magnificent historic garden. The River Torrens flows... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Clarion Hotel Soho 134 km

Completed at the end of 2008, this five-star boutique hotel was designed with many hidden environmental features, such as water-recycling systems, sustainable building materials and airflow and passive cooling to reduce... Find out more


Ridgetop Retreats 181 km

Three funky, architecturally designed cabins sit in quiet seclusion in Deep Creek Conservation Park at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. They have solar hot water, composting toilets, two bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling... Find out more


Antechamber Bay Ecocabins 196 km

This low-key, out-of-the-way spot in the east of the island is next to a beautiful and isolated beach. There are two fairly basic self-contained and solar-powered cabins with room for up to eight people each, half a... Find out more


Eleanor River Homestead 202 km

This beautiful two-bedroom log cabin in the middle of the island is solar-powered, has rainwater and a sewage worm farm.... Find out more


Shboo Shelly Beach Lodge 206 km

Completely wind- and solar-powered, with rainwater and greywater recycling, this beautiful and relatively new three-bedroom apartment at Mount Dutton Bay near Coffin Bay National Park (on the south-east coast of the Eyre... Find out more


Lighthouse cottages 208 km

Stay in eco-accredited lighthouse keeper’s cottages on wind-swept hills at opposite ends of the island: Cape Borda, Cape Willoughby and Cape du Couedic. There are also daily tours of the lightstations.... Find out more


Nautilus Lodge 209 km

This solar-powered, four-bedroom house is surrounded by Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and is situated right on the beach. It can sleep up to 12 people.... Find out more


Rest areas around town

Lake Lochiel Rest Area 56 km

82 km S of Warnertown (L) or 33 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.807 E138 09.791 ... Find out more


Port Wakefield South Rest Area No.1 63 km

12 km S of Port Wakefield (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 15.327 E138 13.381... Find out more


Port Wakefield South Rest Area No.2 66 km

22 km N of Dublin (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 17.396 E138 14.543... Find out more


Snowtown North Rest Area 68 km

62 km S of Warnertown (L) or 53 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 44.870 E138 12.577  ... Find out more


Cowell Park Rest Area 74 km

On the foreshore Parking area located well off the highway at the end of the main street through town. Good facilities. GPS: S33 41.134 E136 55.746... Find out more


Port Gibbon Camp Area 78 km

T/O 23 km SW of Cowell (L) or 21 km NE of Arno Bay (R) Small secluded campground on the foreshore, 6 kilometres east of the highway. Limited shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S33 48.072 E136 48.089... Find out more


Dublin Park Area 83 km

On the service road Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 27.119 E138 21.109 ... Find out more


Arno North Rest Area 86 km

28 km SW of Cowell (R) or 16 km NE of Arno Bay (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 49.688 E136 41.690  ... Find out more


Arno Bay Park Area 95 km

On the foreshore Parking area located well off the highway at the end of the main street through town. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.976 E136 34.399... Find out more


Granite Hill Rest Area 95 km

48 km SW of Whyalla (L) or 59 km NE of Cowell (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 15.954 E137 12.483... Find out more


Warnertown Park Area 104 km

Near the hotel Small parking area just off the highway. GPS: S33 14.085 E138 07.106... Find out more


Riverton South Rest Area 108 km

South side of town Large area among trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 10.287 E138 44.769... Find out more


Arno South Rest Area 108 km

18 km SW of Arno Bay (L) or 17 km NE of Port Neill (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 00.513 E136 25.013 ... Find out more


Georgetown Park Area 108 km

South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 21.634 E138 23.632... Find out more


Winkler Park Area 110 km

2 km S of Saddleworth (L) or 7 km N of Riverton (R) Very small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 05.892 E138 46.465... Find out more


Tarlee Park Area 112 km

Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 16.471 E138 46.258... Find out more


Hanson Rest Area 112 km

13 km S of Burra (L) or 28 km N of Manoora (R) Large area among numerous large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S33 45.158 E138 50.405  ... Find out more


Gladstone Park Area 113 km

West side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway near the caravan park. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 16.119 E138 20.999... Find out more


Spalding Park Area 113 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S33 29.990 E138 36.435... Find out more


Port Neill Park Area 114 km

On the foreshore Large parking area well off the highway near the jetty. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S34 07.062 E136 20.940 ... Find out more


Laura Park Area 118 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 10.870 E138 18.000 ... Find out more


Point Lowly Camp Area 120 km

T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area near the foreshore, 23 kilometres east of the highway. GPS: S32 59.590 E137 46.860... Find out more


Port Germein South Rest Area 120 km

72 km S of Port Augusta (R) or 23 km N of Warnertown (L) Large area well off the road. Limited shade. GPS: S33 02.738 E138 01.822... Find out more


Lipson Cove Camp Area 124 km

T/O 23 km SW of Port Neill (L) or 17 km N of Tumby Bay (R) Large campground on the foreshore with picturesque views over the bay, 8 kilometres east of the highway. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S34 15.744 E136... Find out more


Cape Hardy Rest Area 126 km

15 km SW of Port Neill (R) or 25 km NE of Tumby Bay (L)   Large secluded area just off the highway around a few trees.   GPS: S34 11.987 E136 13.991... Find out more


Ippinitchie Camp Area 126 km

T/O at Wirrabara Small campground located 8 kilometres west of Wirrabara in a natural bush setting in Wirrabara Forest Reserve. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S33 03.996 E138... Find out more


Fitzgerald Bay Camp Area 128 km

T/O 36 km S of Eyre Hwy (L) or 11 km N of Whyalla (R) Small camp area located on the foreshore, 24 kilometres east of the highway. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S32 55.296 E137 44.951... Find out more


Mount Bryan Rest Area 134 km

Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 33.007 E138 53.532... Find out more


Moppa Road Rest Area 135 km

29 km NE of Gawler (L) or 3 km W of Nuriootpa (R) Small area just off the highway behind a few trees. GPS: S34 27.33 E138 58.26  ... Find out more


Lake Giles Rest Area 136 km

36 km NE of Kimba (R) or 119 km SW of Port Augusta (L) Large area well off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. GPS: S33 02.930 E136 46.167  ... Find out more


What's on around town

Kernewek Lowender: prize-winning Cornish festival held with Kadina and Wallaroo; odd-numbered years, May.

Moonta Garden Fair: Oct.

Moonta Antiques and Collectible Fair: Nov.

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