Burra throws a Monster 180th celebration
Once upon a mine… a little South Aussie town struck copper, triggering an economic boom that turned Burra into Australia’s largest inland settlement almost overnight.
This May, the heritage-rich Mid North town is throwing a monster celebration – marking 180 years since the discovery of copper and the beginning of Burra.
The celebrations roll on right throughout May, set against the backdrop of a town that still wears its history with pride. Everyone is invited to take a step back in time and enjoy the same old-fashioned country hospitality that never went out of style!
Bring the past to life with an historical costume-making workshop. Discover the history of the Ngadjuri people and their relations with the earliest European settlers. There’ll be history displays, with artefacts dating back to the mid 19th century, a special screening of the legendary Aussie movie, Breaker Morant (filmed in Burra!) and the historic Burra Courthouse will be open to the public for the first time, offering a rare glimpse of the town’s past.
Other heritage highlights include a tour of the historic Smelters’ Home, a walk through one of the oldest pubs in Australia, and a hands-on chair restoration workshop where participants can restore and take home their own piece of local history. And if you happen to be a past student of Burra Community School, then this one’s for you — guided school tours will offer the chance to step back into the classroom, share memories, and enjoy refreshments prepared by current students in the Copperhouse kitchen.
To wrap it all up—an old-fashioned town parade with vintage machinery, classic cars, fire trucks, horses and a brass band, followed by a community picnic on the Paxton Square lawns.
It’s a month-long festival of events celebrating the grit and community spirit that has carried Burra through generations.
So whether you’re a local, a former Burra resident, or just someone who loves a town with a story, May is your chance to experience Burra like never before.
Plan your visit, book your tickets and head Back to Burra.
