Copper Coast
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*This article is about a region in Australia. For coast of County Waterford, Ireland, see Copper Coast (Ireland).
Copper Coast is a region of South Australia situated in Northern Yorke Peninsula and comprising the towns of Wallaroo, Kadina, Moonta, Paskeville and Port Hughes. The area approximately bounded by Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta is also known as the Copper Triangle. The area is so named because copper was mined from there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a significant source of economic prosperity for South Australia at the time. These three towns are known for their large Cornish ethnicity, often called "Little Cornwall". Kernewek Lowender is the world's largest Cornish Festival, held biennially in the Cornish Triangle.
The area continues to make a significant contribution to the economy of South Australia, as a major producer of grain, particularly barley and wheat.
History
The area became established as a source of copper in 1861, when Paddy Ryan found copper traces coming out of a wombat's burrow which was on a pastoral lease granted to Walter Watson Hughes. Hughes formed the Tipara Mining Company, which later became the Moonta Mining Co.
In the late 1800s, 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.
Agriculture, but not mining, became more important to the region's economy from the 1880s onward. The region has been able to sustain its agricultural productivity as it is below the Goyder Line.
Tourism
The coastal towns of the Copper Coast are popular destinations for tourists, particularly from Adelaide, as well as from regional areas of South Australia.
Fishing is a popular recreational activity. There are several local jetties. Also, there are boat ramps available to launch a boat to fish in the local waters.
The biennial Kernewek Lowender is a major tourist attraction in May of each odd numbered year.
The remains of the historic mines can be inspected, including the ruins of the old copper smelter at Wallaroo and the old Moonta mines. Information on local Heritage walks and drives can be obtained from the Copper Coast Visitor Information Centre in Kadina, the Moonta Tourist Outlet or the Wallaroo Information Outlet.
Historic sites and museums
Remains of the Cornish mining heritage continue to be evident, including stone cottages constructed by the miners, and the remains of mine sites, including Hughes' Engine House and Richman's Engine House.
- Museums
Several museums have been established in the area to preserve the local heritage, including:
- The Farm Shed Museum - located at the Copper Coast Visitor Information Centre at 50 Moonta Road in Kadina and built around Matta Matta House, the original house for mines manager Edward Horn. Matta Matta house has been refurbished to the late Victorian period when the local copper mining industry was at its peak. The museum brings together some of the developments and practices of dry land farming. This museum records the history of local agriculture (including development of the stump-jump plough). www.farmshed.net.au
- Wallaroo Mines—a historical site of the abandoned copper mines just southeast of Kadina. http://www.southaustralia.com/info.aspx?id=9002739
- Moonta Mines Museum—located in the former Moonta Mines Model School (which was established in 1878) http://www.southaustralia.com/info.aspx?id=9006041
Growth and development
In recent years, the population of the region has grown significantly.
Several new housing developments have taken place, including:
- Patrick's Cove at Port Hughes
- Copper Cove Marina at Wallaroo
"The Dunes" is a significant development at Port Hughes, including a convention centre, a prestige residential subdivision and the first golf course designed by Greg Norman to be constructed in Australia.
Local industry
Besides tourism, the major local industry is grain production, particularly barley and wheat, with a major grain export facility at Wallaroo.
A boutique brewery operation, Copper Coast Wines, produces traditional Cornish Swanky beer.
Local government
The local government is the District Council of the Copper Coast, which was formed in May 1997 as a result of the amalgamation of the District Council of Northern Yorke Peninsula and the Corporation of the Town of Wallaroo. The Council area is divided into four wards. The Head office is located in Kadina, and there are Council branch offices in Moonta and Wallaroo.