Moonta Mines Museum
The museum is located in the former Moonta Mines Model School, erected in 1878. The school remained an active and important centre for the Moonta Mines community for ninety years and closed in 1968.
The National Trust of SA, Moonta Branch took over the building and established a museum which now tells the story of Cornish pioneers who came to South Australia for the copper mines 1861-1923.
The museum has 14 rooms and houses thematic displays on the Cornish miners’ lifestyles – mining, lodges and friendly societies, sports and pastimes, death and hardship, extensive displays of costumes, china, silverware, photographs and memorabilia and a classroom furnished c.1900.
Opening Hours
Daily – 1pm-4pm
SA Public & School Holidays – 11am-4pm
Closed when temperature is 37°c & above
Entry
$8 for Adults and $4 for school aged Children. Under school aged are free.
School holiday times in December don’t commence until December 26th for all of our venues.
Enquires to Moonta Mines Visitor Centre (08) 8825 1891
Moonta Mines Tourist Railway
Departing from the platform adjacent to the Moonta Mines Museum, the Moonta Mines Tourist Railway is a guided tour of the historic Moonta Mines State Heritage Area. Featuring extensive commentary from local drivers, passengers are taken past many historic landmarks of the former mining operations, including the reservoir, ore sorting floors, and through a tunnel in Ryans Tailings Heap. It visits the former Precipitation Works, which was set up in 1900 to recover additional copper from the tailings heaps, a process which continued until 1943.
Bookings are not required for individuals. Board the Tourist Railway adjacent to the Museum.
Moonta Mines Walks
Museum to Railway Station return
Approximate length 5kms. Allow 2 hours
Museum to Richmans area return
Approximate length 2kms. Allow 1.5 hours
Museum to Truers area return
Approximate length 2.5kms. Allow 1.5 hours
Walk 4 – Hughes Walk
Short walk around the Hughes Enginehouse and you can comfortable walk about the site. Allow 30 minutes
Walk 5 – Hancocks Walk
Starting at the Miner’s Cottage, or start at the Sweet Shop, follow signs – allow 1 hour, can be walked in either direction.
