MINING HISTORY

CHILLAGOE was once one of the biggest copper smelting operations in the country and the backbone of Northern Queensland’s economy. The Chillagoe Smelter ruins are made up of tall chimneys (that show lightning strike damage) and decaying buildings. Copper ore from as far away as the Redbank Mine in the NT was crushed and smelted here.

There were a number of copper mines about the region, some widely spread like the OK, Cardcross and the Arbouin Mines to the west. The mines had their own plants and smelters, with galvanised shanties and tent houses accommodating the workers. Information on where to go, access from land owners, and much more to help you explore the region is available from The Hub and the National Park office.