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Wallaroo

Wallaroo offers the traveller many facilities and a variety of accommodation, as well as the many different experiences to enjoy in the area. The town today is a mix of a seaside resort and a working industrial town, surrounded by some of the best grain growing and grazing land in Australia, and the sea. The main industries today include grain and fertilizer. Wallaroo fast became one of the busiest ports in the state and remains so to this day.

The name Wallaroo comes the Aboriginal word 'Wadlu Waru' meaning wallabies urine. The early settler's tried to copy the aboriginals by calling it Walla Waroo, however they found this too big to stamp on the wool bales, so they shortened it to Wallaroo.

History

Robert Miller first settled the area in 1851 as a sheep grazier; he then sold the land to Walter Watson Hughes in 1857. The land at this time was scrubby Mulga and not of much use for anything but grazing. In 1859 copper was discovered in the Kadina region. Two shepherds working for Hughes found the copper, James Boor in 1859 at Wallaroo and Patrick Ryan in Moonta 1861, in a wombat's hole. The first copper smelter was lit in 1861 at Wallaroo. Copper mining soon became a huge industry and the township of Wallaroo grew rapidly. With the population in 1865 being 3,000, by 1909 it had grown to 4,000, and reached 5,000 in 1920. In the town today there is much evidence of this prosperous era. The township of Wallaroo was formally proclaimed in 1862, from 1861-1923 the port was the most important on the Yorke Peninsula and the largest and most important on the Spencer Gulf until 1890 when Port Pirie built large smelters. The production of copper ceased in the Copper Coast in the 1920's, and the town population started to decline after this.

The jetty in Wallaroo was built 1861; ships brought to the port food, timber, coal and mining equipment. The first load of refined copper was shipped from Wallaroo in 1862 and by 1868 over 100 tons were been produced each week.

Attractions

• The Wallaroo jetty is one of the most popular in South Australia for fishers, with a huge variety of fish able to be caught from the beach.
• The sheltered beaches make it perfect for swimming especially for those with young families.
• Scuba diving under the jetty is very popular, as there is a diverse marine life and excellent swimming conditions.
• Many historical mining sites, including the Hughes Chimney built in 1861 with 300,000 bricks and standing 36m high.
• The Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum full of the maritime history of this busy port.
• The heritage trail; rediscover a bygone era of this prosperous town, including the old post office 1865-1910, the police assay house built in 1873, and the customs house 1862-1920, plus much more.
• The Wallaroo Flora and Fauna Park, full of Australian animals and wildlife including, wombats, geese, kangaroos and a large variety of birds.
• The Wallaroo Tourist Train departs on a regular basis to Bute.  Experience this interesting ride through the farming region; explore the art and craft, wildlife park and bromeliad nursery in Bute.

Events

• Kernewek Lowender, held in the Copper Coast.  This event is held biennially in odd numbered years. Held since 1973, the event attracts over 80,000 people. Celebrate the times of the Cornish miners through dance, food, singing and tradition.

Town Facilities

• Drakes Foodland, Phone: (08) 8823 2990
• The Blue Crab, Phone: (08) 8823 4068
• Sea SA Ferry, travels daily across Spencer Gulf to Lucky Bay on Eyre Peninsula
• Caravan Park
• Jetty
• Boat Ramp
• Public Toilets
• Fuel
• Hospital
• Shopping

Nearest Visitor Information 

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