Moonta/Moonta Bay

165km from Adelaide, Moonta is a pretty town that is steeped in history. It was here in 1861 that Paddy Ryan found copper traces coming out of a wombats burrow. The wombat's burrow was on the pastoral lease of Walter Watson Hughes. Hughes formed the Tipara Mining Company, which later became the Moonta Mining Co. During this prosperous time in the late 1800's, Moonta had the largest urban population outside of Adelaide, with 12,000 people, including many Cornish miners and their families who brought with them their skills, and lifestyle. For this reason Moonta is known as 'Australia's Little Cornwall'. The name Moonta comes from the aboriginal words 'Moonta-Moonterra' meaning impenetrable scrub.


Moonta Visitors Information Centre - Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Moonta has a population of 3,500, which rises to 10,000 during the peak season. Moonta Bay and Port Hughes are close neighbours of the small business centre of Moonta. The towns are very popular with people in retirement and holidaymakers, especially families.  The Port Hughes jetty offers excellent fishing opportunities, and the area is also very popular with boat fishers and charter boats.  The beaches are stunning to look at with wide sandy shores, flat clear blue green water and are excellent for families; and the jetty provides beautiful views of the coast and beaches when looking back to the mainland.

A short distance from Moonta is Moonta Bay, a popular holiday town with excellent accommodation and facilities.  Its sandy beaches and jetty make this township a real drawcard for fishermen, families and holidaymakers alike.  While here, take the opportunity to go on a fishing charter, and use local knowledge to find the secret fishing spots for a great catch.

History

South Australia's second largest town in it's hey day, Moonta was predominately settled by Cornish miner's and their families. Moonta owes most of its prosperity to the Moonta Mining Co. The mines closed in 1923, however in the time they were operating they produced £5,396,146 worth of copper, and were the first Australian mining company to pay over £1,000,000 in dividends, which they did in 1876. In 1866 a tram was built connecting Moonta and Wallaroo.

The life of a miner was not an easy one; they would start as a 'picky boy' where for a couple of years sorting the good ore from the waste. They would then move on to the underground team at the rock face sinking shafts and opening drives. If the miners showed ability here they would be moved to the 'tribute team', where they would expose the ore. A miner in the tribute team could make a fair bit of money as they were paid by the amount of ore that they shifted, tribute mining ended in Moonta in 1910.

Story of Interest

One of the things Moonta is most famous for is the Cornish Pasty. Miners used to take their lunch to work in a package of pastry - so it wouldn't get dirty. The pastry was joined along the top with a ridge so that it could easily be carried. The miner would open the pastry, and find in one end meat and vegetable and the other end would have fruit and jam for dessert. Today you can still buy delicious meat and vegetable filled traditional pasties in Moonta.

Attractions

Many historical sites including

  • Moonta Mines Museum located in the Moonta Mines Model School, circa 1878, which contains works on the life on a miner, with a very hands-on approach for kids.
  • No visit is complete to Moonta without a visit to the Moonta Mines Sweet Shop; built in 1946 as a post office, today it houses some of the finest lollies around.
  • Miner's Cottage and Heritage Garden built in 1870, this well preserved cottage, furnished by the National Trust in a pre-1900 period, is typical of a Cornish miners house.
  • A 50 minute guided tour on the Moonta Mines Tourist Train, takes you through the Moonta mines heritage area (1861-1923).
  • Interested in finding out about your families or the local history?  The Family and Local History Resource Centre in Ellen Street, gives you access to a wealth of information.
  • Take yourself on a drive through the Moonta Mines State Heritage Area, where you will be able to see Cornish cottages, ruins of the Richman's concentration plant, Richman's Engine House (1869), lookouts, and Hughes Engine House (1865).
  • Moonta Heritage Walk with over 60 points of interest including fine colonial buildings.
  • Moonta Mines Wesley Methodist Church (1865) is worth a visit, the mining captains used to sit at the back of the church and take note of who turned up and who didn't!
  • Freemasons Hall (1875), is the oldest hall built by the Freemasons in Australia
  • The National Bank was built in 1867; out the front is a fountain, which was built in 1891 to celebrate the opening of the networked water supply.
  • Other old buildings worth a look are the Royal Hotel built in the 1860's, and the Moonta Hotel, which opened in 1863.
  • The cemetery is very interesting and there are many unmarked graves of children who died in the plagues caused by unsanitary conditions.
  • Great beaches for water sports including swimming, sailing, sailboarding, diving, jetty and boat fishing.
  • Commercial fishing boats available for charter; possible catches include whiting, snapper, squid and tommy ruffs.

Events

  • Antique Hunting: Annual Antique and Collectables Fair, two days of collecting and displays on the first weekend of November each year
  • Kernewek Lowender is the world's largest Cornish Festival; it's held every odd year in May. Attractions include Cornish dancing, crafts, Cornish folk singing, pasty making, and many events for the children. It's a great family festival.
  • Moonta & District Garden & Craft Festival: a weekend of gardens and markets, something for everyone to enjoy.  Always held the October long weekend

Town Facilities

  • Copper Coast Lifestyle Village, Phone: (08) 8825 1539
  • Drakes Foodland, Phone: (08) 8825 2050
  • Waters Meat Store, Phone: (08) 8825 2041
  • LJ Hooker Moonta/Wallaroo, Phone: (08) 8825 2007
  • Hotels
  • Banking facilities
  • Supermarket
  • Bakeries
  • Park
  • Hardware stores
  • Variety of shopping

Nearest Visitor Information

Moonta Tourist Office
Moonta Railway Station
Blanche Terrace, Moonta, 5558