About Blinman
Mining and the history and development of South Australia are closely connected; this is more so the case in relation to the development of townships in the Flinders Ranges; Blinman being one of these towns. History, heritage, culture and values are inextricably linked. Without the working mines of the past and the desires of those people in the 19th century who struggled to make a living through minerals in our region, our heritage, culture, values and our lives would be different.
Blinman Mine or Wheal Blinman as it was called in 1862 was a working copper mine between the years of 1862 and 1907. At the peak of its operation Blinman township had a population of approximately 1500 residents. Today Blinman has a permanent population of just 27, plus the residents of the surrounding pastoral properties.
Blinman is a truly historic town with a unique heritage and character; it is also a living town. Blinman would not be called Blinman without Robert (Pegleg) Blinman, who as a shepherd working on Angorichina Station, discovered copper, at what is still the site of the mine today.
The Blinman Heritage Tourist Mine opened in April 2011. The mine office is located in the centre of town. It has been set up with historic photos and information and has a range of souvenirs for sale. The mine office also provides an information service to tourists on Blinman and the surrounding areas and is the first port of call for those wishing to go underground. The Blinman underground experience offers a unique journey into the heart of an historic copper mine. With the installation of an innovative sound and light system; which includes storytelling, light boxes, music, a mix of theatre and mining history and experienced tour guides, it transports people back in time, to the lives of the miners and their families during the second half of the 19th century.
Because the Blinman Heritage Mine was set up by local volunteers, who raised money and did all the work, they share a strong affiliation with the success of the Mine Tour. We offer our visitors the opportunity to experience life in a small outback town, one that has struggled to survive but shows its determination to move forward. The Mine is our cultural heritage and encourages us to have a different perspective and understanding and so enriches our lives and those who visit.
Local Accommodation & Attractions
Here are a couple of links to help you plan your trip…
Stay a while and really take in the magnificent Flinders Ranges, we’ll be right here waiting to make your experience unforgettable.
Booking a Tour
Bookings in advance are essential during school holiday periods and are advisable at all other times to avoid disappointment as tour groups are strictly limited in size. Enquiries and bookings can be made :
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Fill out our Online Booking Request Form
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Phone – Mine Office: (08) 8648 4782
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Email : info@heritageblinmanmine.com.au
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Visit the office >>
The Blinman Heritage Mine Office is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Tourist season includes Easter weekend
1st April to 31st October tours are offered 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.
We do cater for groups and schools, by advance appointment.
If you have a specific timeframe to meet, please contact us and we will strive to accommodate your itinerary.
Summer Season
November until April tours are scheduled (according to demand) from 10am thru 4pm.
Tour times are: 10am, 12-midday and 2pm.
Additional tour times are available by appointment.
We do frequently close the mine for maintenance over summer.
Please call us for more details about planned closure periods.
Tours run for 45-55 minutes.
Covered shoes are essential, we provide helmets and torches
CHECK IN FOR TOURS IS 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE HOUR
RATES
Adults $40.00
Concession (Pens/Studs/Seniors) $33.00
Family (2 adults 2 children 3-15 years) $110.00
Extra Child with Family $17.75
Children (under 15) $20
BUS AND TOUR GROUPS
Groups 20 and over: $30 pp
Groups under 20: $33 pp
Self Guided Above Ground Walk
Also available are above ground self guided walks. If not going underground you may purchase a mine history booklet from the mine office which tells you the above ground story as well as some geology and information about points of interest along the path. The path leads you around the top of the main shaft, along the slag heap and past the places where buildings once stood. Combined with the underground tour it gives you a thorough understanding of how the mine and the town worked.It is a long tradition to take your photo next to the boilers on top of the hill.
The Mining History of Blinman
Blinman is an historic copper town surrounded by spectacular hilly desert countryside. Located 485 km north of Adelaide via Wilpena Pound, Blinman is a tiny, isolated settlement on the edge of the South Australian desert. It is the highest town in South Australia sitting at 616m above sea level, and you’ll find it at the end of the sealed road heading north of Wilpena.
Copper was discovered at Blinman in 1859 by a one-legged shepherd, Robert ‘Peg Leg’ Blinman, who, unsurprisingly, gave his name to the township which grew up around the mine.
Copper mining occurred in the area from around 1862 through to 1907 when the ore ran out. In total around 10,000 tonnes of copper were removed from 200,000 tons of ore.
Websites with historical support:
Blinman Family Portrait
3D Drawing of Blinman Mine
Photos courtesy of SA Library
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DSimply a must! Simply a must!
All that has been written about this outstanding experience is spot on. Susan, our guide and host was brilliant. Susan's knowledge, story telling skill and engagement with her audience made this a memorable hour or so a highlight of our visit to Blinman. Do yourself a favour and book your tour.
Jmwoolies6/25/2020A Real Must See What a fantastic experience visiting the Blinman Mine. We had a fantastic tour guide Sarah, who was not only very knowledgeable but had a very good sense of humor. She engaged well we all the adults and especially the three children on our tour. This is a fascinating place to visit to find out the history of this amazing mine which is entirely run by volunteers
So if you go to Blinman, please go and see and support this amazing place. AdelaideTraveler3/29/2020EXCELLENT What a great tour - the tour guide Susan was so knowledgable and made the whole experience fun. Very interesting to learn the story of the Cornish Miners who arrived in search of a better life!!! It would have been so tough. If you are in the area, you really must take this tour - it is run by volunteers and they do an amazing job. BrendaB9391/24/2020 - Incredibly interesting and a must-do in the Flinders Ranges We’re a family of 2 adults & 2 kids (13 & 11) on a road trip through South Australia. Locals at Wilpena Pound Resort recommended we visit Blinman and we are so glad we did. The tour of the old copper mine was incredibly interesting to us all - fascinating to hear both the stories of the miners and also how the township in the 21st century banded together to restore the mine to show us the ways of the 19th century miners. Sally, our guide, was excellent, a lovely local Station owner working casually to enable the mine tour manager to have some time off. If you are in the Flinders Ranges, I definitely recommend you book this tour. Zalibali1/08/2020Fantastic tour We recently did the underground guided Blinman mine tour and found it so interesting. Our guide Sheree was very informative about the history and geology of the mine, and it gave us a new appreciation of Blinman compared to our earlier visits before this tour opened.Congratulations to the local community who worked so hard to get this tour off the ground. Karin N11/26/2019Mrs The Blinman Mine tour is a must see when visiting the Flinders Ranges. The mines history and stories of local miners and their families are brought to life by the tour guide who is passionate about Blinman and the mine. The towns people who restored the mine and set up a fabulous tourist attraction should be congratulated on a job well done. Thanks for the experience. ruthwhitehead11/11/2019
Contact / Bookings
Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment.
Please complete the form below and we will respond as soon as possible.
Phone: (08) 8648 4782
Email:
info@heritageblinmanmine.com.au
Also add us on Facebook!
Planning a trip, let us help you – Visitor information
The mine office also includes a visitor information service, pick up a brochure or ask the staff about:
- Explorers Way Trail
- Mining History Sites
- Fossil History Sites
- Camping
- Accommodation
- Local Walks
- 4WD
FAQ's
Who does the tour cater to
The tour is suitable for all ages, it is a family friendly tour and we do try to involve children in the tour with “jobs” and a quiz when appropriate.
Can children go on tour
Yes. We love taking children on tour although very young children and infants may not be comfortable wearing a helmet (it is a safety requirement for all persons on tour) if your child would find a helmet uncomfortable they might not enjoy the tour. Maybe bring the feeding bottle or a pacifier, on occasions if children become tearful the parent may be asked to take the child out, please don’t be offended.
Will I be claustrophobic
If you know you have claustrophobia, you may feel uncomfortable in a mine, we cover this as part of the safety briefing. You are not locked inside, there is no crawling but it you are over 180 cms you will need to duck in some areas. Our experienced guides will check on your comfort and if it gets a bit much will accompany you out of the mine. This happens rarely as most people become engrossed with the tour story, leave with a rich history and a sense of achievement!
Are there stairs or a lift
There are no stairs underground, there is a slope in one section of about a 1:6 gradient. This is managed by most people.
There is no lift, the tour takes a leisurely walking pace with plenty of stops to look and listen.
Is it cold underground
The mine stays a constant 22 degrees, for cooler winter days we do recommend dressing for the outside temperature and conditions
How many people go on a tour
Our maximum tour size is 10 persons
Can I take photos
Yes please and share them with us also!
Tourism Achievement Awards
