Burra is a town located in the mid-north of South Australia, known for its rich copper mining history. Copper was discovered in Burra in 1845, and it quickly became one of the most significant copper mines in Australia.
It did not become an official entity until 1940 when five tiny independent mining communities were drawn together under the name Burra. It was declared a State Heritage town in 1994 because of its wealth of outstanding historic buildings.
Burra was unique in that it was one of the few mines in the world that used Cornish mining techniques. The miners who worked in the Burra mine were mostly Cornishmen, and they brought with them their expertise in mining, which helped to make the mine a success.
The mines at Burra produced over 50,000 tons of copper during the time they were in operation, from 1845 to 1877. This was a significant amount of copper, and it helped to establish South Australia as a major copper producer in the 19th century. Today, the Burra mines are recognized as an important part of Australia’s mining heritage, and they continue to attract visitors from around the world who are interested in learning about their history and significance.
A railway line was built in the late 19th century to transport copper ore from the Burra mines to the port at Port Pirie. It was 66 km long and was built between 1870 and 1876. It was initially used to transport copper ore, but it later became a passenger and freight line, connecting the town of Burra to other parts of South Australia.
