Fri, 14th Nov, 2025 (pm) Memorial Park RV Stop, Georgetown to Redbanks Conservation Park, east of Burra, SA (exploring Burra)

Opposite the chimney is the old mine store (1847), now a private residence.

Walked across to Peacock’s Chimney, originally built in 1857. It was relocated to this site in 1972 - what an amazing job to pull it down and then rebuild it here.

Drove up the hill and parked near the entrance. 

Had lunch then went wandering. Plenty of info boards for us to read.

Walked up to the chimney. View back over the open cut mine then over North Burra and Peacock Chimney.

Continued up the hill - not sure where the lookout is as there are no more signs. View over the next mill area and over the hill to Burra.

Walked down a track to the Haulage Engine Chimney 1874 which was connected to the engine. So great this has all be preserved.

Down the track to the top of the Ore Dressing building we were at before. Fabulous photos.

Good view down into the pit.

Steve spotted some copper ore on the track.

Next is Morphetts Engine House. You need the key to get in here and around to the other spots but we can see enough.

Headed back to the camper then I spotted a tunnel sign. This leads back to the Ore Dressing building.

Walked around to the other side. The other entrance is hidden from view.

There are a few holes on the other side - maybe the old miners shafts.

Back to the camper and up the road a bit to the other lookout. Great photos with the main things marked on it so you can compare with the present view.

On the other side of the lookout is more information about the ‘townships’ created because of the mines.

Further up the rise then down to the Open Cut Lookout. Looking across to where the Peacock Chimney was moved.

Down the hill on the other side to the Bon Accord Mine & Museum but we didn’t go in.

Through North Burra - nice old bridge over Burra Creek. A ‘Concrete Crapper’ (toilet).

Lots of Peppercorn trees near the old Courthouse, Police Station reserve. Walked around the Courthouse (1857-1986). Steve pointed out the fence tensioning posts.

Across the grass to the Police Lock-up and Stables area (1847-1878). Checked out the little cell block behind the Courthouse and Steve got a bit surprise.

Not sure if this is the stables - a bit small.

Continued over to the Lock-up Museum area.

Back to the other side passed the back of the police station which is now a private residence. Continued up the other side.

Headed back around to the camper. Nice building across the road - part of a church complex?

Followed the signs to Redruth Gaol (1856-1894) which then became a Girls’ Reformatory (1897-1922). After that it was used as a home for a few families. Note that it was used in the movie Breaker Morant in 1979. The dark clouds dropped rain on us as we headed back to the camper but it was only quick and then the sun came out again.

Continued on to Hampton - another small township from the early mine days. Now only the remains of the rock walls of some of the buildings. Quite hot in the sunshine now.

A couple of roos are hiding in the shade.

Continued on to the next history site but first we spotted this old building. No history sign though. Lovely home on the rise above it.

Across from that we turned into the old Smelting Works. Not much left of the buildings now.

Looking across the ground to the Burra Mine Chimney on the hill, Lookout and water tower.

Continued on towards Burra township. Nice building and then a long row of cottages before we reach another bridge over Burra Creek.

Not much water downstream. It is held back on the other side by a weir.

We drove around to the other side and parked to have a cuppa overlooking the lake. Nice footbridge at the other end of the ‘lake’. Men were putting up the bunting for the Regatta tomorrow.

Across from us is the Town Hall.

Big map of the Goyder Council area - the blue line shows the Goyder Line. They have a Manoora too.

Crossed the street and checked out the lovely buildings.

We could enter St Mary’s Church to admire the stained glass windows.

Nice mural on the toilet block.

Continued down Market Street.

Unfortunately they put the information about the Burra Jinker inside the cage so hard to photograph.

Some kids trying out their ‘yacht/raft’ for tomorrow’s race.

Continued along reading the history plaques.

In the middle of the street is the War Memorial.

Back to the camper and back again through North Burra and onto the Goyder Highway. Stopped to check out the memorial to the shepherd who discovered the copper ore. He lived in a shack over near the creek.

Along a bit then we turned onto Eastern Road which is gravel and headed to Redbanks Conservation Park to camp for the night. As we crossed a creek we spotted 2 emus as we entered the Conservation Park - salt bush country. Misty shower of rain came over.

Turned onto a track to a t-intersection, left to the Mallee Campground, right to day use area. Will check that out tomorrow morning. All sunny again when we set up camp and quite hot too. The campground is a circle of bays around the single toilet. No one else is here.

No information here about the park. I wrote up another day of my 'very behind' blog before Drinks time and a game of cards.

Another vehicle came in and set up further around from us.

6pm still 28 degrees. All quiet here - no wind.

Still warm when we went to bed to left the main door open for a change.