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MOONTA - SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 5558
Population: 2,500,  
Height above sea level: 15m
Latitude: 34.03.00
Longitude: 137.36.00
Location:  150km north west of Adelaide
Highway: Off Highway 1 at Port Wakefield 
Nearest Major Town: Adelaide
Nearest Airport: Adelaide
Touring Area: Yorke Peninsula

The impressive Information Centre in Moonta.
Download a free A4 map of Moonta.


Originally known as Tiparra, Moonta is one of the Copper Triangle Towns on the Yorke Peninsula just north of Adelaide. The region has a deep Cornish tradition due to the influx of Cornish miners who went there last century to work in the mines. There are many historic sites around the area, many of them preserved by the National trust.
The copper deposits were discovered by a local shepherd, Paddy Ryan, in 1861. The Moonta Mining Company took over the find and his share paid over 2 million dollars in dividends for his discovery.
Thousands of miners, including experienced Cornishmen, came to the area which was worked until the 1920s when low prices and rising labour costs saw the mines close.
The town now services an agricultural region.
There is an Interpretive Copper Mines Walk or Drive which visits many of the now historic sites including the Hughes Pump House, tailings dumps and mine offices.

PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • All Saints Church of England Features a copper bell made locally.
  • Heritage Walks and Drives
  • Queen Square picnic area.
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:

    Category: 


    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Moonta Information Centre
    Railway Station, Blanche Tce. Moonta. SA 5558
    Ph: 02 8825 1891

    HOW TO GET THERE:
    By car along Highway 1 to Port Wakefield then west towards Kadina.
    Moonta is south of Kadina and Wallaroo.
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    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins