Kapunda

0 reviews | Write a review

Overview

More photos

Kapunda is where Australia's copper industry truly began. In 1838, a sheep farmer named Dutton stumbled over some moss-coloured stones. He sent the stones to be assayed in the United Kingdom and it was of course copper-ore - moreover, the highest grade ore found anywhere in the world to this day.

Dutton and his partner Bagot bought the land around Kapunda, announced their discovery and built Australia's first mining town. The million pounds-worth of copper proved a huge bonus for the South Australian colony in times of economic hardship.

The Kapunda Visitor Information Centre is a wonderful place to start your visit; downstairs from the information desk is a thoughtful and ingenious display of the town and surrounding area. Be sure to pick up a brochure describing the Kapunda Heritage Trail. This 10km walk through yesteryear will lead you into the old mine area, past tunnels, open cuts, and miners cottages.

Admire the many buildings adorned with magnificent 'Kapunda lacework', and remember to look up at 'Map Kernow' on the southern edge of town; this eight metre high statue was constructed as a tribute to the miners of Kapunda.

Don't miss the fascinating two-storey folk museum - regarded as the finest in Australia - with its extensive agricultural and mining displays. Bagot's Fortune is an excellent interpretative display of the mining history with a working scale model of Kapunda's original Cornish Bull Pumping Engine. A motor pavilion features Kapunda's old fire engine and ambulance.

Kapunda was the home to Australia's 'Cattle King', Sir Sidney Kidman, for more than 40 years. He oversaw the establishment of enormous horse sales, which came to be regarded as the world's largest, and eventually donated the family home to the community to be used as a high school. Nearby Anlaby Station is a magnificent pastoral homestead, originally settled by the Dutton family.

The Wheatsheaf Pub at Allendale is a must do when visiting Kapunda. Other attractions include The Mine, and Map, The Miner Monument.

Kapunda Visitor's Centre is open 7 days from 9am to 5pm Mon - Fri, Sat & Sun 10am to 4pm. Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday.

Features

Kapunda Heritage Trail - see the towns historic places
Kapunda Museum - built in 1866 features collections of early record players and motorcycles
Bagots Fortune Museum - displays depicting the lives of early miners
Elder Smith offices - built in 1907
ANZ Bank - built of sandstone and bluestone in 1866
Kidman Trail - tour of Kapunda highlighting places connected with cattle king Sir Sidney Kidman
North Kapunda Hotel - first licensed in 1849 famed for historic horse auctions

Features

Gundry's Hill Lookout - offers excellent views of town and surrounding agricultural land
Kapunda High School - beautiful buildings originally the home of Sir Sidney Kidman
Kapunda Open Cut Mine - excellent way of understand local process of mining
Mine Lookout and Walk - pleasant walk down into the valleys where ore was once mined
Mine Square Cottages - the remainder of the original stone cottages built in 1845

Interactive Map & Directions

Address: Kapunda Visitor Information Centre, 51-53 Main Street, Kapunda, SA, 5373, Australia

Phone: +61 (0)8 8566-2902

Missing some information? Got it wrong? Let us know.