Guide to Burra South Australia Australia

Listed on the National Estate Register and also declared a State Heritage Area, the former copper mining town of Burra is one of the most beautifully preserved towns in South Australia.

It all began with the discovery of copper in 1845 by shepherds Thomas Pickett and William Streair. A number of townships soon developed – the South Australian Mining Association town of Kooringa, plus Redruth (Cornish) Aberdeen (Scottish) Llywchwr (Welsh) and Hampton (English).
By 1851, the settlement now collectively known as Burra had a population of 5,000, second only to Adelaide with a population of 18,000. And after the closure of the Monster Mine in 1877, the town became a service centre for an extensive agricultural and pastoral area.

Today you can explore one of Australia’s most beautifully preserved towns on Burra’s Heritage Passport Trail. Armed with a charming little guidebook and your own key, you’ll drive past 65 fascinating sites and learn why Burra was once South Australia’s copper central. The 11km route includes Redruth Gaol, the Monster Mine and “Creek Street”, where 1600 people lived in dugouts along the riverbank.

Burra is also a great place to look for antiques, and don’t miss Thorogoods of Burra (a boutique cider brewery) and the Burra Art Gallery.