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Tag: mine

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Coal Mines Historical Site Tasmania

Ruins at the Main Settlement

Coal Mines Historical Site

The location of Tasmania’s first operational mine, the Coal Mines Historical Site, is now part of a World Heritage listed site where the ruins form a reminder of the past. Interpretive signs throughout the site not only describe the buildings use, but provide an insight into life there, by describing the lives of individual convicts.

With the discovery of coal in the area in 1833 mining commenced, producing coal locally, rather than import it from New South Wales. Serving as a place of punishment for repeat offending convicts from Port Arthur, the mine operated for 40 years before closing.

The Site

Two entrances to the site allow access to either the main settlement, or the old mine shaft. Walking tracks connect the two areas, so it doesn’t matter which you go to if you intend walking. Entry to the site is free. We chose the main settlement to start at, because it has excellent introductory signs and toilet facilities. The larger ruins are also located here, so if you only want to see them and not the entire site, this is the place to start.

As you can see from the photos, the majority of the buildings have been damaged by bushfires, the weather and vandals over the last 150 years. The remaining walls are still interesting to see, as they stand on a small rise overlooking bushland.

Walking from the main settlement, we passed the military barracks and commanding officer’s quarters. From here, the track steepens as you walk uphill to the signal station, where we could not see any remains.

Our last stop was the main shaft, which was surrounded by a fence. This was a large depression maybe 10m deep and 20m across, but the shaft itself it filled in, so there was nothing to see.

  • Visitor Information as You Enter the Site
    Visitor Information at the Entrance
  • Information on the Heritage Site
    Information on the Heritage Site
  • Ruins of the Main Settlement Coal Mines Historical Site
    Ruins of the Main Settlement
  • Ruins of the Main Settlement
    Ruins of the Main Settlement
  • Convict Cell
    Convict Cell
  • Ruins at the Main Settlement
    Ruins at the Main Settlement
  • Sandstone Wall and Door Coal Mines Historical Site
    Sandstone Wall and Door
  • Ruins of the Military Barracks Coal Mines Historical Site
    Ruins of the Military Barracks
  • Commandants Residence
    Commandants Residence

What Did We Think?

The sandstone ruins are imposing, standing as they do on a small hill. We enjoyed looking around and reading the interpretive sign, while taking photos. The walking track winds through bushland, which was enjoyable to walk through. Although the main shaft was a disappointment, the rest of the area was very good and worth seeing.

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Aberdare South Abandoned Mine at Abernethy

The Old Ruined Winder House

Aberdare South Abandoned Mine at Abernethy

The Aberdare South Colliery operated from 1913 to 1927, making it long abandoned. All that remains of the old mine are the winder house and chimney, but these make the trip worthwhile, so that you can see some of the original industry of the Hunter Valley.

Getting There

Located in the village of Abernethy, the best place to start the walk is from Abernethy House, an old pub now operating as a guest house. Cars can park in a small cleared area opposite the house. This is convenient, because it is at the start of the walking track. The track is not suitable for two wheel drive vehicles, as the road is not well maintained. When we were there, it was badly rutted and eroded by heavy rain, making four wheel drive vehicle access impossible as well.

Abernethy House From the Car Park near the Aberdare South Abandoned Mine
Abernethy House From the Car Park

The Track

Follow the track until you pass an intersection to the left. At this point, keep walking along the main track until you come to a second track to the left, which you take. This track, will lead you to a dam on the left hand side at which point you will also see a large chimney.

After rain the tack is muddy and rutted by previous traffic, which makes is rough in places. Be careful how you walk as some places are slippery and covered in water. Even if the weather is dry, the road will be badly rutted.

  • Access Track After Rain
    Access Track After Rain
  • Access Track After Rain
    Access Track After Rain

The Old Winder House at the Aberdare South Abandoned Mine

Once an impressive building, the old winder house is now a ruin with the roof and floor collapsed. Even in this state it is fun to look around and take pictures, as long as you are careful.

The interior was overgrown with grass and the collapsed floor and old basement were full of water, so we didn’t go inside. We were also wary of the surrounding area as the grass was very long and we were concerned about snakes.

  • Inside the Winder House
    Inside the Winder House
  • Outside the Winder House Aberdare South Abandoned Mine
    Outside the Winder House
  • The Old Ruined Winder House
    The Old Ruined Winder House

The Chimney

Still standing after 100 year, the chimney is starting to look old, as the brickwork has cracks making it look unstable. Standing in the middle of the bush, it looks out of place, making it a unique and interesting photo opportunity.

Old Chimney at the Aberdare South Abandoned Mine
Old Chimney at the Mine Site

The Dam and Returning to The Start

Once we had looked around the chimney and winder house, we followed the track down to the dam, which was full of water and surrounded by eucalyptus trees. From here, we walked around the dam until we found the track which took us back to our car. This track is the first one we passed on the way in, allowing us to do the walk as a circuit.

View Over the Dam
View Over the Dam

Things to be Aware Of

We aware that snakes are common in the area, so be careful around long grass. The old buildings are not maintained, so are unstable, particularly inside the winder house.

What Did We Think?

This was a great place to visit, because of the unusual sight of abandoned mine buildings. The walk was short and quite easy, despite the wet ground.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.