We have passed through Burra many times on our way to somewhere else, but we have never taken the time to truly enjoy it. On our trip south from the Flinders Ranges, we decided to stop and spend three days here, exploring the town and its surrounding area.
We camped at the showground for $15 per night. This fee included power, water, and a dump point and was located just 2 km north of the town.
We camped at the showground for $15 per night. This fee included power, water, and a dump point and was located just 2 km north of the town.
It was the first surveyed mining town in Australia, and by 1851, it became Australia's largest inland town due to the discovery of the world's largest copper deposit.
Many of its historic buildings remain intact, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
The information centre has a heritage passport. It cost us $50 with our senior concessions, along with a refundable $50 bond for a key that grants access to eight locked sites. Included is a booklet listing another 38 sites around town. It took us two full days to visit all the sites listed.
The open-cut mine produced 50,000 tonnes of copper, which in the early years was transported to Port Adelaide before being shipped to Wales for smelting and refining. In 1894, smelters were built near Burra to reduce the huge transport costs.
Many of its historic buildings remain intact, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
The information centre has a heritage passport. It cost us $50 with our senior concessions, along with a refundable $50 bond for a key that grants access to eight locked sites. Included is a booklet listing another 38 sites around town. It took us two full days to visit all the sites listed.
The open-cut mine produced 50,000 tonnes of copper, which in the early years was transported to Port Adelaide before being shipped to Wales for smelting and refining. In 1894, smelters were built near Burra to reduce the huge transport costs.
Some of the sites that require a passport and key include:
With the influx of people and the shortage of accommodation, the Miners' Dugouts were carved into the banks of Burra Creek, with an estimated 600 dugouts. A flood devastated the area, and by 1860, they were virtually deserted.
With the influx of people and the shortage of accommodation, the Miners' Dugouts were carved into the banks of Burra Creek, with an estimated 600 dugouts. A flood devastated the area, and by 1860, they were virtually deserted.
The Police Lockup and Stables were built in 1847, with the cells in use until the Redruth Gaol was constructed in 1856.
Redruth Gaol was built in 1856 and housed 30 prisoners, both male and female. It was later renovated after the prisoners were moved to another gaol and reopened to house girls, before finally closing in 1922. The 1997 film, Breaker Morant, was filmed there.
Located in Paxton Square, the row of 33 cottages was built from 1849 onwards. Malowen Lowarth Cottage has been furnished in the period.
Unicorn Brewery Cellars were constructed in 1873 and remained in operation until 1902.
Hampton Township, built from 1857, housed up to 30 miners' cottages. The township also contained quarries that supplied the stone for many of the buildings in Burra. It was finally abandoned in the 1960s.
The town caters to travellers with numerous cafes and restaurants. We enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch at La Pecora Nera (The Black Sheep) and can highly recommend their wood-fired pizzas.
On the outskirts of town, this old homestead served as the cover for the Midnight Oils 'Diesel and Dust' album.
Very interesting, we will have to put that into the visit one day list 👍
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