Mining Heritage Australia

24/04/2025

AFTER DARK, ABOVE GROUND.

Tickets now available:
https://www.beaconsfieldheritage.com.au/winter-events

Join our tour guides for a 1.5-hour evening tour of stories for families, couples and solo enthusiasts, all above ground at the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre.

Explore interactive exhibits and hear captivating local tales uncovering the region’s history: from gold-mining times to the dramatic 2006 mine rescue.

After your tour, share stories with locals at nearby venues.

Bring your sense of adventure and dress warmly – you're in for an unforgettable night.

23/04/2025

Get Closer to History at the Historic Kapunda Copper Mine, the mine that saved the South Australia Company from bankruptcy. Walk the 1.5km trail and learn about the site.

23/04/2025

It takes minutes to get here. Not hours. And all you need to pack is your adventurous spirit.

23/04/2025

✨Good news folks! ✨ Due to Friday being a public holiday, we have a Steelworks tour running tomorrow Thursday 24/04/25. 🚌

If you missed out on this morning's tours now's your chance to call us on 8645 7900 and secure a spot. Adults $28, Concession $24 Children $17.

23/04/2025

Old stones, new growth. Earth Day is our chance to appreciate how time, weather, and wildlife have shaped the Coal Mines into a living landscape.

23/04/2025

Visiting the NRG during the school holidays and the Heritage Festival? Why not hunt for treasure while you're here! 🔎

During the festival, you can play our Treasure Hunt game in multiple ways:
• pick up a treasure map at the National Arboretum Canberra’s information desk
• download and print your own copy of the map (http://bit.ly/4iqczjv)
• play online (https://pyts.link/p/MTSK).

Participants who complete the Treasure Hunt during the festival can show their completed game to the information desk at the Arboretum to claim a small reward. 🏅

23/04/2025

Bookings are now open - Twilight Steelwork tours are here! 🚌

For the month of May we have 8 Twilight Steelworks tours running. Departing Whyalla Visitor Centre (next to HMAS Whyalla) at 5pm, returning at 6.30pm.

📅 Tuesday 6 May
📅 Thursday 8 May
📅 Wednesday 14 May
📅 Friday 16 May
📅 Tuesday 20 May
📅 Thursday 22 May
📅 Monday 26 May
📅 Wednesday 28 May

You will get to see the Steelworks at dusk. As you travel around the plant, learn of the history, steelmaking process and so much more.

Limited spots are available so bookings are essential, call the friendly staff on 8645 7900 or drop into the Visitor Centre.

📸 John Murray


$28 adult, $24 concession, $17 child (7-16 years), $73 family 2 x adult, 2 x children.

18/04/2025

17/04/2025

Watch out!
Don't fall down the mineshaft when you visit the Herberton Mining Centre this school holidays 😲
Open 9am to 4pm, free for TRC residents... who says you need a big budget to have heaps of school holiday fun!

17/04/2025

17/04/2025

It was a pleasure to welcome Hon Minister Zoe Bettison MP – Minister for Tourism – to the Burra & Goyder Visitor Information Centre this morning. Pictured here with our Team Leader Sue, the Minister had the chance to meet part of our small but mighty team who warmly greet over 20,000 visitors through our doors each year.

Minister Bettison also learned more about the iconic Burra Heritage Passport Tour – one of South Australia's longest-running self-guided tourism experiences, which has been unlocking the secrets of our historic township since 1979.

With up to 10,000 visitors collecting a key to the town each year, it's a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal and economic value of heritage tourism in Burra, especially as we edge closer to UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Thanks for popping in, Minister Bettison - you're welcome anytime!

17/04/2025

16/04/2025

16/04/2025

Had 6 participants on tour on Saturday. Belinda and group who also took the opportunity to stay at the beautiful Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground gave the following feedback.

"I just wanted to thank you on behalf of our group - Mark, Jenny and Steve for the interesting tour yesterday.

"We all thoroughly enjoyed hearing the story of Glen Davis and the mine - the vision, the hope, the prosperity and subsequent heartache. Such a shame!

We went back today to climb the lookout and explore the ruins nearby. Once again, it was another enjoyable trip for us!"

16/04/2025

Did you know ???

The stone commemorates the first gold discovery at Pine Creek by Wentworth Darcy Uhr in 1872 and all Northern Territory mining pioneers.

Uhr maintained his interest in both gold and cattle. He was at Coolgardie in 1894, too late for the gold rush but in time to form the D'Arcy Uhr Goldmining Company. He settled down to become a popular pillar of Coolgardie society.

The gold mining industry at Pine Creek was slow to develop, even though good alluvial gold had been located at Yam Creek, Cullen River and Gandy's Gully as early as 1871. The first major reef was discovered in 1872 and named the Priscilla. Since that time many small workings were developed, mostly by Chinese workers under tribute to European owners.

Gold production declined during the 1890s but there were still twenty-seven stamp batteries at fifteen mines in the area. By 1907 most of the gold mining was replaced by tin and wolfram. By 1915 about 75,000 ounces of gold had been recovered from the area.

14/04/2025

Our museum is hosting a display about the current world heritage bid for some goldfields sites. It will be available to view during museum opening hours, with an information session as listed in the poster below.