Meet Kapunda
SA’s Oldest Mining Town
Kapunda is a place you visit to experience heritage that’s not dusty, but alive. Kapunda is the beat of Main Street, the nod of a friendly local, the trail under your feet.
A Town That Tells a Story
Australia’s oldest commercial copper-mining town, Kapunda was born in 1842 when Charles Bagot and Francis Dutton struck paydirt, and with it, our town that was destined to thrive on heart and grit.
Relive snippets of South Australian history as you wander the Kapunda Heritage Trail, a self-guided drive or walk that weaves through mine chimneys, ornate churches, the open-cut shaft, and even local homes. There’s something quietly powerful in connecting your steps to generations past.
Sir Sidney Kidman, nicknamed the “Cattle King,” visited the Prince of Wales Hotel in Kapunda for his first overnight stop after arriving in town on his way north. With humble beginnings as a drover, he became a legendary pastoralist and one of Australia’s largest landholders. His fortune was amassed through strategically investing in cattle stations, droving and transport services, and it’s said that at the time of his death, his holdings amounted to 3.7% of Australia’s mainland, a whopping 107,000 square miles!
Settling in Kapunda during the 1880s, he made his home here, married a local school teacher and operated his huge horse sales enterprise from the town. These were the largest horse sales in the Southern Hemisphere, and a major event in Kapunda for decades.
Notably, his residence “Eringa” was donated in 1921 to the South Australian government to be used as a high school, where it opened for classes in 1922. Sadly, much of the school’s memorabilia was lost when the building was damaged by fire a century later in 2022. The Kidman Trail takes you to places either owned by or associated with Sir Sidney Kidman in the years of his Kapunda connection.
Kapunda Landmarks and Stories
You don’t just race through Kapunda, you feel invited to sit down, stay a while, and let its layers speak to you.
You’ll spot MAP the Miner, an eight-metre tribute to the Cornish miners who built our town, welcoming you from the southern gateway. It was rebuilt after a fire in 2006 and stands proudly as a symbol of resilience.
Step into the Kapunda Visitor Centre for guided storytelling through the Sir Sidney Kidman Experience and the “Taste of the Region” interpretive displays.
Trace the gentle loop of the Kapunda Mine Trail, walk paths where Cornish folklore echoes, and see the open-cut mine come alive with stories of hard work and humanity.
Art-loving visitors to Kapunda are in for a treat with the town boasting some beautiful artwork and murals. The recently completed Silo Art is a must see while in the area, and depicts a traditional copper miner on the job. Taking over 300 litres of paint and 35 days without a break, the artist @smugone has done a spectacular job!
Ready to Explore?
Start your journey at the Information Centre, armed with a trail map and a local smile. Whether you want to trace mining roots, feed ducks with the kids, or find a trail that fits your pace, Kapunda waits.
We’ll look forward to seeing you back at The Prince to hear about your adventures!
Best Places to Stay in Kapunda
4.9 (54 Reviews)
Luxurious group-style stay in a beautifully renovated 1860’s railway station. 7 Bedrooms, chef’s kitchen, pool, orchard and games lawn, all ideal for families, groups or celebrations.
4.6 (249 Reviews)
Family friendly tourist park in Dutton Park. Cabins plus powered or unpowered sites, camp kitchen, BBQ and pet friendly on enquiry. Good for budget stays!
4.8 (40 Reviews)
Historic working sheep-station about 15 mins from Kapunda. A luxury B&B in restored heritage buildings (Manor House, gardeners cottage) with breakfast included and suitable for EV charging.