Mintaro, one of Australia’s most picturesque towns, was built on the back of two commodities: copper and slate. It was established in 1849 as a resting stop for bullock drivers hauling copper ore from Burra to the Gulf ports (the town’s pub has been serving since that time). Mintaro slate was first quarried in 1856: prized for its flatness, it was used in grand houses, including South Australia’s Parliament House and as surfaces for snooker tables across Australia. Martindale Hall is one of the nation’s finest 19th Century stately homes; located 3km out of town, it’s open to visitors.

FAST FACTS!

• Some sources claim ‘Mintaro’ is a corruption of an Aboriginal word ‘mintadloo’ or ‘Minta-Ngadlu’ meaning ‘netted water’ while others claim it is derived from a Spanish word meaning ‘camp’ or ‘resting place’

• Look for the bullock stables not far from the Magpie and Stump Hotel – you can still see huge steel rings where the beasts were tied while their drivers went for a drink

• Unusual for South Australian towns, Mintaro’s streets run 45 degrees to north-south, in line with the direction taken by the bullock drivers