Burra

Burra
27th September - 1st October 2017

Burra is a large heritage settlement 45 klm north east of Clare, so a nice easy drive. We had no idea what to expect, and were amazed at the amount of history to be soaked up in this beautiful town.

Traditional country pubs, restored miners' cottages, boutique ships, cafes, antique stores, museum, old railway station and the aptly named Monster Mine.

The best way to see the town is with a Burra Heritage Passport that you pick up at the Information Centre. The Passport comes with a key to nine locked historic sites, entry to two museums, and a glossy guide book full of information. We had three days here and needed all of it to explore the amazing amount of history.

All set up at the Burra Showgrounds. $15/night with power, water and plenty of room. Great spot.

Our first morning, downtown to collect our Passport Key and a wander around the town centre. We came across the most fascinating antique store. It was a cross between a museum and antique store.

New stroller anyone?

Cram packed with all manner of interesting collectibles, records, books............

Old phonograph.

Not sure if this might have belonged to Napoleon?

Lace maker. How fiddly.

After coffee at one of the quaint coffee shops, a wander down to the Burra Creek. Very pretty.

So with Heritage Passport in hand and guide book at the ready. Time to explore.

Park in the centre of town.

Paxton Square Cottages comprise three rows of miners' cottages that were erected between 1849-1852 to encourage miners to leave their dugout homes in Burra Creek. (more about that later).

Between 1983-1988 the cottages were restored and converted into B & B accommodation. One has been left as it was for historical viewing.

Living area.

Bedroom (only one) so all in together.

Kitchen and dining room at the rear of the cottage.

All the rows faced onto a courtyard or "Square" for communal gardening.

Many of the homes have been beautifully restored as private residences. This one was on our walk to the next point of interest Unicorn Brewery Cellars.

The Unicorn Brewery was built in 1873 on the site of an earlier brewery and served the town's nine hotels. The complex included a tall malting tower, offices, cooper's workshop, steam engine and boiler to operate the pumps, and manager's residence. The brewery closed in 1902 due to new licensing laws and  The cellars, storeroom, and manager's office and walls of the brewery block remain.

Brewery wall.

Down into the cellars. It was a rabbit warren of tunnels. Massive.

Just as well there was an Exit sign. Could have been down there for days!

We couldn't figure out what the metal thingamajigs were along the wall.

Storeroom building. The little cream roofs cover air vents from the cellar.

The Miners' Dugouts were an eye opener on just how primitively people were prepared to live back in the mining days. The early rapid development of the Burra Burra Mine led to a shortage of housing. In 1851, about 1800 people out of a total population of 4400 lived in nearly 600 dugouts along the Burra Creek and tributaries. The main line of dugouts was known as Creek Street. In 1851 a flood devastated Creek Street driving the inhabitants from their dugouts. By 1860 the dugouts were virtually deserted. Three dugouts survive in this tributary which was not flooded like Burra Creek.

By the look on Dezziz face you'd think I was leaving him there! Entrance to one of the dugouts.

This one must have been posh. Brick wall inside.

This one was quite large, and would have housed a family.

Hardly luxurious.

At least it had a separate bedroom.

The creek bed outside.

Another day, and more exploring.

The town Hall circa 1874.

St Joseph's Church Manse circa 1874.

St. Joseph's Church circa 1874.

Very grand private residence.

Burra was the first surveyed mining town in Australia, and by 1851, it was Australia's largest inland town. The "Monster Mine" was the largest metal mine in Australia until 1860. So lots to explore at this site.

Ruins of the Haulage Engine house  (1876).

Morphett's Pool (1860)

There are two chimneys on the site (1874 & 1876). One is square and one is round. So, the Cornish were the miners and the Welsh were the smelters.  The Cornish are very superstitious and would build round chimneys, so the spirits could not hide in the corners. The Welsh didn't care and built square chimneys!

Welsh.

Cornish.

Morphett's Winding House (1861).

Winding house and Engine House (1858)

Engine House (1858)

A model of the Engine House workings.

A chunk of copper.

Collection of old tools.

Looking towards the old open cut mine and water table/lake. The water is so clean and deep that it is now used as a training area for deep sea diving.

Where they kept all the gunpowder.

View of Burra from the Mine.

Very interesting wandering all around the old mine. Next stop the Bon Accord Museum.

A fabulous diorama of the Monster Mine.

Haven't we come along way!

A pair of hobnail boots. The nails were for durability and to provide traction.

The old fire trucks.

The boys giving them the once over.

Swish buggy.

So much memorabilia.

Butterworth Flour Mill (1874), now a café.

Redruth Gaol (1856) was the first gaol erected in South Australia outside of Adelaide. The gaol provided accommodation for the gaol keeper, turnkey and 30 prisoners, male and female.

The gaol was closed in 1894 and the prisoners transferred to Gladstone Gaol. It was renovated and reopened as a Girl's Reformatory in 1897 and finally closed in 1922.

The courtyard.

Cell block.

Pretty basic I can tell you.

One lavatory. Made of wood. Hold your nose!

The old Burra Railway Station. This has been beautifully restored, and part of it is a B & B. Lovely.

Fabulous restoration.

There are many of these cottage rows.

They really appealed to me, and I was about to put my face to the window thinking they were ruins, when I heard voices inside. Almost got caught being a peeping Tom ha ha!

However, the ones across the street have been restored and are private residences. We met two brothers and their wives the night before at the Pub, and they own one between them as a week-ender. They live in Adelaide - a couple of hours drive. 

So while I was taking this photo they arrived home and invited me in for a look. Really lovely inside.

Aforementioned brothers, and the Publican (on the right). Lots of fun - love country pubs. We went for dinner, but old mate Publican put so many hot snacks on the bar we couldn't eat anything else. When I told him he had done himself out of two paying dinner customers he didn't care!

On our last afternoon I took myself off for another walk around town, and to visit the café while Dez stayed behind.

Burra Creek.

Fed the ducks.

Pretty flowers everywhere.

Ever since the eastern end of the Nullarbor, all through South Australia, I had been trying to get a great shot of an iconic stone house ruin. Well Burra has it. So I took a drive 5 klm out of town to this old house at sunset. Apparently it is the second most photographed house in Australia. I would like to know how they figure that one out. However, I was very happy with this shot.

And if you are a Midnight Oil fan you should recognise it. Check the cover of your Diesel and Dust album. This is the house on the cover.

In the field next to the house, more canola. Beautiful.

Oh....and a side shot for good measure!

So Burra was fascinating. We walked miles and learned so much. Had some great coffee and food in town. Lots of laughs at the local pub. So happy we went here.

Just hope this sign isn't true..........