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Copper Coast is a region ofSouth Australia situated in NorthernYorke Peninsula and comprising the towns ofWallaroo,Kadina,Moonta,Paskeville andPort Hughes. The area approximately bounded by Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta is also known as theCopper Triangle. The area is so named becausecopper 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 largeCornish ethnicity, often called "Little Cornwall".Kernewek Lowender is the world's largestCornish Festival, held biennially in theCornish 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.
Copper was first noted on theYorke Peninsula by Captain Richard Rodda in 1848, however due to the remoteness of the region in comparison with the mines ofKapunda andBurra, it was not exploited. The Yorke Peninsula was unsettled until the mines were established. In December 1859 copper was first discovered at theWallaroo Mines and at theMoonta Mines in 1861,[1] 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 Company. By 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. Much of the character of this period was captured by local cartoonistOswald Pryor (1881–1971), son of a Cornish miner. Later, agriculture 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 theGoyder Line.
The Copper Coast's urban centres of Kadina, Wallaroo and Moonta form the core of Yorke Peninsula's retail sector.[2] In recent years, the population of the region has grown significantly. Several new housing developments have taken place, includingPatrick's Cove at Port Hughes, Copper Cove Marina at Wallaroo, and the Dunes at Port Hughes, which includes the first golf course designed byGreg Norman to be constructed in Australia. Wallaroo Shores Estate on the foreshore of Wallaroo is currently underway, and predicted to be the largest beachfront residential development in South Australia.
The coastal towns of the Copper Coast are popular destinations for tourists, particularly fromAdelaide, as well as from regional areas of South Australia. The remains of the historic mines can be inspected, including the ruins of the old copper smelter at Wallaroo and the old Moonta mines. 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 biennialKernewek Lowender is a major tourist attraction in May of each odd numbered year. Besides tourism, the major local industry is grain production, particularly barley and wheat, with a major grain export facility at Wallaroo.
The local government is theCopper Coast Council, which was formed in May 1997 as a result of the amalgamation of theDistrict Council of Northern Yorke Peninsula and theCorporation of the Town of Wallaroo. The council seat is in Kadina, and there are council branch offices in Moonta and Wallaroo.
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. 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. Several museums have been established in the area to preserve the local heritage, including:
The Copper Coast is home to three historic jetties which are popular among scuba divers and snorkellers. Wallaroo and Port Hughes jetties are considered two of the bestscuba diving sites in South Australia.[3] Moonta's jetty has features an enclosed area where people can swim without fear of shark visitation.
34°07′11″S137°29′28″E / 34.119763°S 137.491150°E /-34.119763; 137.491150