Day 66: Wed 19 Apr 23 - Peterborough to Burra

Wed 19 Apr 23 - Peterborough to Burra (Towed 88km)

A cold day; 9 Deg to 15 Deg with a fresh SE breeze. At 1900, it is 11 Deg feeling like 7 Deg. We packed and left Peterborough by 0815 and set off for Burra, unsure where we would stay. Only an 88km drive,  we were there in no time, even after stopping 3km out from Burra to photograph the iconic Midnight Oil House. It wasn't the best time of day for it, (afternoon sun would be ideal), but it was good to see anyway. We arrived in Burra by 1000, and after a lap through Burra, we returned to the showgrounds, where they have limited level powered sites, but plenty of unpowered and not so level sites. Arty the caretaker was there to meet us very quickly and guided us into his last level powered site which was vacated only minutes earlier. He took our details and $40 for two nights which we were obviously very happy with. After setting up, we proceeded into town for coffee, then I purchased two heritage passes to access several historic sites of Burra. Burra was the first surveyed mining town in Australia, and by 1851, it was Australia's largest inland town. The famed 'Monster Mine' was the largest metal mine in Australia up to 1860. Burra became a single township in 1940 when several separate mining communities were drawn together, then it was declared a State Heritage town in 1994 because of its wealth of historical buildings. The Burra and Moonta Mines, which we visited on the Yorke Peninsula, are known as the Australian Cornish Mining Sites and have an amazing history. We spent the next 4 hours exploring Burra and the historic mining sites, before I dropped Noeleene back at the van after she had enough, then I drove back into Burra to explore some more. I finally returned to the van at 1730, feeling cold and ready for a feed and a hot shower. Tomorrow, we plan to drive into Clare for the day, via Farrell Flat. We'll see how we go for time getting back to see more of Burra. Another busy, but most enjoyable day exploring our wonderful country.

3km from Burra, the Midnight Oil House - photographed by iconic landscape photographer Ken Duncan, and used on the cover of Midnight Oil's 'Diesel and Dust' record. 

Burra King Edward VII Rotunda in the Burra Market Square

Burra War Memorial and Rotunda

Burra Mine and township

Burra Mine and township

Burra Open Cut Copper Mine

Burra mine - Ore Dressing Tower

Burra mine - Ore Dressing Tower


Burra Mines - Morphett's Engine House

A massive 30 Ton cast iron bob was supported on this wall inside Morphett's Engine House

View of the Open Cut Mine from the Morphett's Engine House

View of the Open Cut Mine from the Morphett's Engine House

Inside Morphett's Engine House

Building next to Morphett's Engine House

View from Town Lookout - Burra Community School is the prominent building

Burra panarama from Town Lookout

Historic Burra Mine

Historic Burra Mine - Powder Magazine

Burra Railway

Burra Railway


Burra Police Lockup and Stables

Burra Police Lockup and Stables

Burra Police Lockup and Stables

Burra - Redruth Courthouse

Burra - Redruth Gaol. Used in filming Breaker Morant

Burra - Redruth Gaol

Burra - Redruth Gaol

Burra - Hampton Township Ruins (1857)

Burra - Hampton Township Ruins (1857)


Burra - Hampton Township Ruins (1857)


Burra - Hampton Township Ruins (1857)


Burra Smelting Works Site (1849)

Burra Smelting Works Site (1849) - Chimney Remains


Burra Uniting Church

Burra

Burra - St Mary's Anglican Church 

St Josephs Catholic Church

Burra Town Hall

Burra Town Hall

Burra Square Museum

Burra Square Museum

Burra Square Museum

Burra War Memorial and Rotunda

Burra Town Centre

Burra Town Centre


Burra Town Centre


Burra Community School

Burra Community School


Burra Community School


Paxton Square Cottages

Burra Creek



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