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History
The area became established as a source of copper in 1861, when Paddy Ryan found copper traces coming out of a wombat's burrow which was on a pastoral lease granted to Walter Watson Hughes. Hughes formed the Tipara Mining Company, which later became the Moonta Mining Co. In the late 1800s, Moonta had the largest urban population outside of Adelaide, with 12,000 people, including many Cornish miners and their families who brought with them their skills, and lifestyle.
Tourism
The coastal towns of the Copper Coast are popular destinations for tourists, particularly from Adelaide, as well as from regional areas of South Australia.
Fishing is a popular recreational activity. There are several local jetties. Also, there are boat ramps available to launch a boat to fish in the local waters.
The remains of the historic mines can be inspected, including the ruins of the old copper smelter at Wallaroo and the old Moonta mines.
The biennial Kernewek Lowender is a major tourist attraction in May of each odd numbered year.
Museums and Historic Sites
Remains of the Cornish mining heritage continue to be evident, including stone cottages constructed by the miners, and the remains of mine sites, including Hughes' Engine House and Richman's Engine House.
Several museums have been established in the area to preserve the local heritage, including:
- Moonta Mines Museum- located in the former Moonta Mines School (which was established in 1878)
- The Farm Shed- located in Kadina, this museum records the history of local agriculture (including development of the stump-jump plough)
- Matta House- this National Trust museum at Kadina is located in the former mine manager's residence
- Wallaroo Mines - the abandoned copper mines site just southeast of Kadina
Growth and development
In recent years, the population of the region has grown significantly.
Several new housing developments have taken place, including:
- Patrick's Cove at Port Hughes
- Copper Coast Marina at Wallaroo
"The Dunes" is a significant development at Port Hughes, including a convention centre, a prestige residential subdivision and the first golf course designed by Greg Norman to be constructed in Australia.
Local industry
Besides tourism, the major local industry is grain production, particularly barley and wheat, with a major grain export facility at Wallaroo.
Local government
The local government is the District Council of the Copper Coast, which was formed in May 1997 as a result of the amalgamation of the District Council of Northern Yorke Peninsula and the Corporation of the Town of Wallaroo. The Council area is divided into four wards. The Head office is located in Kadina, and there are Council branch offices in Moonta and Wallaroo.
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