Moonta Cemetery Walks
Take a guided walk through the Heritage listed Moonta Cemetery and discover the stories of many of the people buried there. Hear how epidemics were responsible for the deaths of over three hundred children, the Mining Fatalities, the first triplets born on the Yorke Peninsula and many more interesting stories.
During the years of 1861 to 1923 copper mining was carried out in the Moonta Mines area and unfortunately accidents happened, and men died. During these years 156 miners died while employed by the Wallaroo & Moonta Mining & Smelting Company and 76 of these are buried in the Moonta Cemetery. These men and boys, and some were only boys, died leaving their families unprepared financially to put a headstone or marker on the grave.
Members of the National Trust SA, Moonta Branch, Resource Centre became more aware of the unmarked graves of the mining fatalities while researching the lives of the pioneers who are buried in the cemetery. After applying for a grant, plaques have now been placed on these graves and as 6 of the fatalities rest in graves where the position is unknown their names and details are placed on a sign near the front entrance of the cemetery.
Regular tours are to commence on Monday 16th January 2012 at 10am and will be running on a weekly basis. Tours are hosted by local identity and historian, Liz Coole, a lady with a wealth of knowledge about Moonta and its remarkable history. Liz’s knowledge of the local area and the people that lived and worked in Moonta in the early days is comprehensive, allowing her to bring the past to life in a most captivating way. Tours depart from the Moonta Tourist Office located at the Old Railway Station and will have a duration of approximately one hour. Tickets are $5 per head and children under 5 years are free. Bookings are required. For further information and bookings please contact Moonta Tourist Office on (08) 8825 1891 or email info@moontatourism.org.au
A book detailing the history of the Moonta Cemetery is available at various National Trust venues.
No tours when temperature is 37°C or above.
