The Copper Triangle

Located on its north-west shoulder, the Yorke Peninsula's three main towns of Moonta, Kadina, and Wallaroo are grouped together in a district known as the Copper Triangle. Initial signs of the area's huge copper deposit were discovered by a lowly shepherd in 1857, and over the next few years as copper finds increased, Cornish miners and their families flooded into the triangle to find their fortunes. The settlements which accumulated around the three primary mines grew into prosperous towns, and the industry became so large that it was able to bail the entire state out of its bankruptcy dilemmas in the late 19th century. For sixty years the miners and townsfolk enjoyed a lifestyle of wealth and prominence, but as some pessimist once said, good times never last (the NASDAQ is more than an appropriate example). By 1923, a slump in world copper prices and the ever dwindling supply of ore led to the closure of every mine, and ultimately caused the dispersion of a majority of the area's population. Since the mass exodus it's almost as though the region has been frozen in time, though it's through this sheer lack of development that the area has gained its greatest asset. Each town boasts a rich colonial flavour through their many fine old buildings, churches, homesteads and historical museums. The Copper Triangle's strong Cornish heritage has not been lost either, with the town's communities joining forces every odd numbered year to host the famous and award winning Kernewek Lowender Festival.

At the southern corner of the Copper Triangle, Moonta was the location of the most successful mine, and today the actual digging is one of the town's main historical attractions. The rest lie in and around the town's abundance of superb colonial buildings, which are best discovered via the Moonta Heritage Walk. The trail files by over sixty points of interest, and travels through and around a community whose passion lies clearly within it's past. All relevant information is available at the town's tourist office, located in the old train station. The township also lies close to the coastline of the Spencer Gulf, and there are some good swimming beaches at both Moonta Bay and Port Hughes. Port Hughes lies only a few kilometres south of Moonta, and is renowned spot for serious anglers. There's a great range of deep sea fishing charters operating out of this tiny hamlet, and there's also a small splashing of seaside accommodation.

19 kilometres north-east of Moonta, Kadina is the largest of the Copper Triangle towns, and the "capital" of the Yorke Peninsula. The community has diversified since the heady days of the copper industry, and now serves the rich agricultural land of the district. Despite this diversification, there are still more than fifty historical sites scattered throughout the township, and the most noteworthy include the Kadina Heritage Museum, the old Wallaroo Mine, and the classic Royal Exchange and Wombat Hotels. Enthusiastic tourists who wish to visit the lot can pick a Discovering Historic Kadina leaflet from one of the local newsagents. Travellers on a budget should also be aware that Kadina's main shopping centre is of rare size for the Yorke, and the only one with a large supermarket.

Less than ten kilometres west of Kadina, the port of Wallaroo was originally established to process and ship the vast qualities of copper ore being unearthed from the nearby mines. It's survived as a major port, though these days the cargo is grain instead of metal. To take in the town's numerous places of interest, there's a couple of historic paths to follow. Both trails begin at the interesting Wallaroo Heritage & Maritime Museum (located in the old post office), which is well worth a look in itself. On the coast, Wallaroo's safe swimming beaches and fantastic fishing conditions add to the port's appeal.

If your travelling into the Copper Triangle from the base of the Yorke Peninsula, chances are you'll pass through the small and attractive inland town of Maitland on the way. Apart from being a good stopping point for it's tasty bakery and helpful service station, visitors should also check out town's National Trust Museum which features backgrounds into both the local Aboriginal people, as well as the area's many 19th century German settlers. If travelling into the Triangle from the top of the Yorke, the highway kisses the coast at the popular seaside holiday town of Port Broughton, which over the years has become a very popular destination among serious anglers.