In 1861, Moonta was home to just a few pastoralists. Then a shepherd found copper on his property and within 15 years the area was home to 12,000 people. Many of the miners came from Cornwall which is why you’ll find no shortage of Cornish pasties in the town. It’s worth trying the local delicacy.

Moonta Bay jetty was built to export the copper ore, but today it’s much loved for swimming and fishing. Cast a line in the late afternoon for a catch of tommies, garfish and squid. Boaties love the local waters too – neighbouring Port Hughes boasts the second-busiest boat ramp in the state.

FAST FACTS!

• Moonta takes its name from the Aboriginal Narungga word ‘moonta-monterra’ meaning impenetrable scrub
• The 500-kilometre Walk the Yorke trail finishes (or starts!) at Moonta Bay
• The pastry crimp on Cornish pasties was designed so copper miners could hold their lunch without being poisoned by the arsenic used to extract metal. Back then, Cornish pasties had meat and veg in one end, and stewed fruit in the other: the perfect combination of main course and dessert
• The biennial Kernewek Lowender is the largest Cornish-themed festival outside Cornwall and is held on odd numbered years