Kembla Mine Site Walk and Talk Tour
Two years ago, Kembla Jotting's original jotter, co-founder of Kembla Jottings and retired Mt Kembla Colliery worker, Kembla Lodge, conducted an informative and unforgettable tour of the historic Mt Kembla mine site. Very little remains on the site today to identify, so without local knowledge you'd most likely walk right past the site of Australia's worst mining accident - the place which caused the death of 96 men and boys in the Mt Kembla Mine Disaster of 1902. This year, as relatives and descendants of the families involved in the disaster return to Mt Kembla for the 115th anniversary of the disaster, Kembla Lodge will once again conduct his walk and talk tour.
In the last tour Kembla Lodge started us off at the timber racks area, now the picnic area off Harry Graham Drive north of Kembla Heights Village (in the top image) giving us a basis for understanding how a young lad got started in the coal mine and his progress from the sorting screens, clipper, trapper, wheeler, to getting 'on the coal'. He discussed the harsh conditions and their slow improvement with changes to legislation brought about by the Lang Government. Down at the stables, the only remaining relatively intact building from Mt Kembla mine site (pictured bottom left above) Kembla Lodge showed us a map of the underground workings and explained what exactly caused the disaster, where, and how some of the men got out (bottom right image above of the miner's travelling road).
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 9 August 1902
In the scrub here and there are hidden remnants of building foundations and rusting mine equipment. With the aid of historical images to help interpret the site and your imagination, Kembla Lodge will lift the veil of time and indicate where events unfolded 115 years ago.
To get to the Mt Kembla mine site, travel up Cordeaux Road though Mt Kembla, then turn right onto Harry Graham Drive, continue north past the historic village of Kembla Heights and to a small parking area on the left, the mine site is on the right. It is a National Parks and Wildlife manged site.
Mt Kembla Mine Site Picnic Area and Parking - google maps image.
There is very little signage to indicate the site of Mt Kembla Colliery today, so as you drive up Harry Graham Drive, before you reach the opened road gates (these are shut when there are land slips), park in the small parking bay on the left of the road with the picnic area on the right or east side of the road. We will gather by the picnic table at 11 am.
Please Note:
There are no pathways past the stables at the mine site, and the track is just a rough bush track, little more than a deer track. There is stinging nettle, native raspberries and the occasional leech so long pants, long sleeves, insect repellent and closed in walking boots or shoes are a must.
There are no amenities on site, the nearest public toilet and refreshments are at Kembla Heights Bowling Club.
There is a chance of rain for Monday the 31st of July, if it rains the walk will be cancelled. This tour can only go ahead if there is no rain in the 24 hours preceding the tour.
The walk is not suitable for people with mobility problems due to uneven ground and some steep parts, though the walk is not very long or strenuous. It will take between one and two hours depending on the length of discussions.
When booking please let us know if you are a descendant of one of the families involved in the 1902 disaster as Kembla Lodge will refer to them during the talk.
Places are limited so please RSVP to Georgina at kemblajottings@gmail.com by Saturday the 29th of July.
There is now an additional possibility of running a smaller tour on Sunday the 13th of August, for those that are unable to make it on Monday the 31st of July.
These tours are generously provided by Kembla Lodge at no charge.
