Kadina

Only 148 km from Adelaide, Kadina is the largest town on the Yorke Peninsula, with a population of around 4,000. The name Kadina is believed to have come from the Aboriginal word Kadiyinya meaning 'lizard plain'. Today Kadina is the main commercial centre for a very prosperous agricultural region. However, copper mining was once the main industry for this town, hence Kadina is part of the Copper Coast, which includes Wallaroo and Moonta (also known as 'Little Cornwall').


Kadina Rotunda - Yorke Peninsula, South Australia


The original European settlers from this area were mainly Cornish, and examples of Cornish architecture can be found in Kadina including the Royal Exchange and Wombat Hotels (originally a boarding house for new miners), the Kadina Hotel (originally a single storey hotel called the Miner's Arms) and a number of the churches. Kadina has great walks around the town looking at these old building as well as being a base to explore the surrounding mines. Kadina is also one of the homes of the Kernewek Lowender festival, the world's largest Cornish Festival held every two years on the uneven years since 1973.

Kadina offers all the facilities of a large town and a wide range of accommodation as well as been close to a number of stunning scenic and family friendly beaches, in Moonta Bay, Port Hughes and Wallaroo. In addition to this it great base for exploring the northern end of the Yorke Peninsula and its rich history.

History

Copper was first found in 1859 at Wallaroo Mines near Kadina.  The population in this area quickly grew and the town of Kadina was surveyed in 1861. The main ethnic group to arrive in this area was the Cornish, bringing with them their mining techniques, labour practices, architecture and the Methodist religion. In 1862 the Wombat Hotel (named after the animals who had discovered the copper) was open for business and a horse-drawn railway was operating at the Wallaroo Mine. By 1891 there were 12,000 people living in the Copper Triangle. The mines closed in 1923, however in this time they removed 170,000 tons of copper.

Attractions

  • Historical Walks, Kadina offers excellent Cornish architecture, and many different walks around the town.
  • The Farm Shed Museum and Tourism Centre, including Matta House 
  • Banking and Currency Museum - the only museum of its type in Australia
  • Many historical mining sites are located around Kadina including; Wallaroo Mine, and Harvey's Engine House
  • Ducatoon Park one of Australia's leading horse studs 
  • Nearby towns of Moonta, Moonta Bay and Wallaroo

Events

  • Kernewek Lowender, held in May on odd numbered years, is the world's largest Cornish festival. Extremely popular with over 80,000 people attending, it offers food, music, dancing, an old car procession and Cornish tradition
  • Kadina Annual Show, a country show and 2 day horse event
  • Yorke Peninsula Field Days - Australia 's oldest field days est. 1894, held biennially in odd numbered years at Paskeville

Town Facilities

  • Yorke Peninsula Marine, Phone: (08) 8821 2604
  • Alison's Shoes, Phone: (08) 8821 4861
  • Kadina Newsagency & Copy King, Phone: (08) 8821 1781
  • Golf
  • Fuel
  • Shopping
  • 7 day supermarkets
  • All purpose recreation centre
  • Sport facilities  
  • Medical centre

Nearest Visitor Information

The Farm Shed Museum and Tourism Centre
50 Moonta Road, Kadina, 5554