
On our trip towards Rockhampton, Jeni and I decided we’d spend a night in
Mount Morgan and check out the mine on the 28th May. The major attraction for us
was that there was a swinging bridge and dinosaurs, well there used to be
dinosaurs.
We decided we’d go on a guided tour. Not sure if guided tours are the best
approach for us, but it was enjoyable all the same. We were the only couple on
the tour who paid the adult fare rather then the aged pensioner fare everyone
else was paying!
The father-daughter team took us around the town and then to
the mine. All sorts of good info was shared.

First we went to the
swinging bridge, which wasn’t as swingy as I was hoping, it was a replica
created for tourists as the originals had all fallen down. After some swinging
on the bridge we headed up to a lookout which showed a great view of Iron Stone
Mountain, the mine, and the huge chimney. Which also happens to be the largest
free standing chimney in Australia. Down one side of the lookout was an area
known as Tipperary. When the mine was booming 2000 Irish miners lived down
there, today only 200 people do. Was amazing to think this small town once
housed 15000 people!
At the base of the mine we entered the museum, which houses a bunch of rocks
describing what ores would be found within, old dinosaur fossils found onsite
and a bunch of stuff showing how the place used to operate. Including a really
interesting 3D model of the mine with mineral hotspot locations.

We then cruised up the hill and scoped out some of the old mining machines
and facilities. Old buildings that looked like something from Western movies,
machines all rusted and right up the top the view of the catchment of all the
contaminated water which is probably where the plesiosaurs live!
Was all quite fascinating and one thing we most surely learnt is that mining
operators definitely have it much easier these days!
- Cameron
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