The Copper Coast Rail Trail between Kadina and Wallaroo was constructed in 2017. The 17km extension of the trail from Wallaroo to Moonta means that the three main towns of the area are now connected by a rail trail. The coastal towns of Moonta Bay and Port Hughes are also connected to Moonta by shared use paths.
The discovery of copper at Moonta and Kadina in 1859 saw a rapid growth in the region. Wallaroo was developed as a sea port to export copper ore and farming produce and railway lines were constructed throughout the area to transport copper ore from the Kadina and Moonta mines to the port at Wallaroo. By the 1920’s copper mining had declined and agriculture was the main economic driver for the region.
The mines at Moonta are now a major tourist attraction while the coastal beaches are the perfect holidaying location. Cyclists and walkers can now enjoy the 32km of sealed trails which connect all the tourist attractions of the Copper Coast.
The mine operated from 1860 to 1874 then reopened for a short time in 1890. 100 years later the mine was reopened as a 65m deep ‘open cut’ mine until finally closed in 1993. The mine is now a tourist attraction with tours of the tunnels 55m below the open cut mine.
Wheal is derived from the Cornish word for ‘place of work’. The mines were often worked by Cornish immigrants.
The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail has a new attraction – a restored NSW Railways guard’s van. Located at...
The Australian and South Australian Government’s have jointly (50:50) funded $200m to replace the existing Glenelg Tra...
Rail Trails Australia is very happy to announce some new and enhanced features to our website have recently been impleme...
The bridge over the Stuart Murray Canal on the Murchison to Rushworth (Waranga) Rail Trail in northern Victoria has been...
The members of the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) are continuing their planning and advocacy for funding and ...
The south-eastern end of the Heathmont-Belgrave Trail in Melbourne has received some long-overdue love from Yarra Ranges...
Neighbouring shires Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council have completed an application together in a bid to se...
Rail trail supporters at Glenroy station site, 15 June 2024. ...
Trail users on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail have welcomed the recent opening of a new bridge over Logan Creek, located...
Recently Rail Trails Australia ran a competition on its social media to win 2 full day e-Bike hire passes to ride the Gr...
The Barossa Council has upgraded directional markings for the Barossa Rail Trail in Nuriootpa. Arriving from Tanunda dir...
On 7 June 2024, the eastern extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail was opened to users, completing a 129 km trail th...
The Mike Turtur Rail Trail extends from the City of Adelaide Parklands to the coastal suburb of Glenelg, a distance of 9...
The Shires of Narrogin and Williams in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region have announced a joint initiative to e...
The Port Dock railway line extension will result in a change to the Outer Harbor Rail Trail (South Australia) route and ...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is excited to announce a community grants program for 2024. RTA’s 2024 grants program will...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThe Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail has a new attraction – a restored NSW Railways guard’s van. Located at...
The Australian and South Australian Government’s have jointly (50:50) funded $200m to replace the existing Glenelg Tra...
Rail Trails Australia is very happy to announce some new and enhanced features to our website have recently been impleme...
The bridge over the Stuart Murray Canal on the Murchison to Rushworth (Waranga) Rail Trail in northern Victoria has been...
The members of the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) are continuing their planning and advocacy for funding and ...
The south-eastern end of the Heathmont-Belgrave Trail in Melbourne has received some long-overdue love from Yarra Ranges...
Neighbouring shires Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council have completed an application together in a bid to se...
Rail trail supporters at Glenroy station site, 15 June 2024. ...
Trail users on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail have welcomed the recent opening of a new bridge over Logan Creek, located...
Recently Rail Trails Australia ran a competition on its social media to win 2 full day e-Bike hire passes to ride the Gr...
The Barossa Council has upgraded directional markings for the Barossa Rail Trail in Nuriootpa. Arriving from Tanunda dir...
On 7 June 2024, the eastern extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail was opened to users, completing a 129 km trail th...
The Mike Turtur Rail Trail extends from the City of Adelaide Parklands to the coastal suburb of Glenelg, a distance of 9...
The Shires of Narrogin and Williams in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region have announced a joint initiative to e...
The Port Dock railway line extension will result in a change to the Outer Harbor Rail Trail (South Australia) route and ...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is excited to announce a community grants program for 2024. RTA’s 2024 grants program will...
One comment on “Copper Coast Rail Trail (SA) extended from Wallaroo to Moonta”
On my list!!