Kadina Town Hall

Kadina SA 5554 (Pop 4 000)

Kadina is Yorke Peninsula’s largest town and commercial centre located 148 km n-w of Adelaide. Together with nearby Wallaroo and Moonta, it formed part of the copper triangle known as Little Cornish because of the many Cornish migrant miners. Copper was discovered here in 1860 by wombats digging in the ground which dramatically transformed the area from average farming land to a very wealthy district. By 1875, the population had exploded to 20 000 - mostly of Cornish origin, however mining ended in 1938. Kernewek Lowender (Cornish festival) held with Wallaroo and Moonta (odd numbered years in May) and Copper Coast Spring Garden Fair (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Kadina (38 locations) includes Wallaroo Mine (1860), Pioneer Cemetery (c.1860), Banking & Currency Museum (1874), Kadina Railway Station (1878), Police Residence (c.1900). Banking & Currency Museum, Graves St located in Kadina’s oldest bank (1874) and features excellent and historic currency and banking displays. Open (10am-5pm) daily (exc. Fri/Sat/Xmas Day & June). Kadina Museum Complex, Moonta Rd comprises the Heritage Museum, Matta mine shaft and Matta House (1863) - a mine manager’s house furnished with Victoriana. The large printing museum features displays of old mining equipment, a blacksmith’s shop and fascinating historic photographs and memorabilia. Open (2pm-4.30pm) Wed/Sat/Sun and (10am-4.30pm) holidays.

Nearby:
Wallaroo Mine (1.5 km s-w) mine remnants. Yorke Peninsula Field Days (19 km s-e) held each Sept - odd numbered years.

Accommodation:
Kadina has 2 motels, 3 hotels, a B&B, some holiday cottages and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: 50 Moonta Rd. Tel (08) 8821 2333 or 1800 654 991.

Airports:
Port Pirie Aerodrome (PPI), off Port Pirie Rd. Tel (08) 8632 2261. (98 km north); Adelaide Airport (ADL), 1 James Schofield Dr, Adelaide Airport. Tel (08) 8308 9211. (154 km s-e).

Hospital:
Wallaroo Hospital, Ernest Terrace. Tel (08) 8823 0200. (9 km west).