Kembla Heights Tours
Kembla Heights was established as a mining village in the 1880s. It was declared a heritage conservation area by Wollongong City Council in 1991 as it is the only remaining company owned village in the local government area and one of few relatively intact mining villages within New South Wales. Kembla Height Heritage Conservation Area includes: the the Mt Kembla Colliery pit top area, the site of Australia's worst mining accident where 96 lost their lives; Windy Gully cemetery created specifically to bury the dead from this disaster; the original general store; and the coal miners cottages. It was nominated to be placed on the State Heritage List in 2011, yet the nomination remains in limbo with no decision made to the present date. Volunteers run history tours to the mine site and the village in order to educate the community about its rich history and to raise awareness for the need to place the Kembla Heights Heritage Conservation Area on the State Heritage Register.
Mine Site Walk and Talk Tours
This tour is conducted by a retired Mt Kembla Colliery worker, co-founder of Kembla Jottings and community volunteer who is passionate about seeing the Mt Kembla Colliery site preserved. Little remains on site today to identify, so without local knowledge you'd most likely walk right past the pit top and the place of Australia's worst mining accident - the Mt Kembla Mine Disaster of 1902.
Deep erosion gullies from water run off threaten the remaining structures and ruins while trees have been allowed to grow in close proximity to structures with roots invading historic brick work. The site lacks pathways and signage and thus this tour is conducted to draw attention to the need for significant investment and conservation to help visitors better interpret this National Parks and Wildlife Service managed site.
The tour begins at the timber racks area, now the picnic area off Harry Graham Drive north of Kembla Heights Village (at the picnic table). There Kembla Lodge will spend about 30 minutes providing an overview of the site and a basis for understanding how a young lad got started in the coal mine and his progress from the sorting screens to clipper, trapper, wheeler, and to getting 'on the coal'. The tour then moves to the site of the old bathhouse (only the slab remains) for about 20 minutes where the harsh conditions that were slowly improved with changes to legislation brought about by the Lang Government will be discussed.
From the bathhouse site the tour moves down to the stables built 1940s-50s, the only relatively intact building remaining from Mt Kembla mine site today (pictured above, bottom left). There a map is shown to view of the underground workings and the cause of the disaster is explained as well as where and how some of the men got out (remains of traveling road image above bottom right). If you are related to a disaster victim be sure to let us know as they can be included in the talk. This part of the tour takes about 30 - 50 minutes depending on discussions generated.
Depending on the mobility and fitness of participants the tour will only proceed to the actual pit top area at your own risk. This part takes 30-50 min depending on interest. There are no pathways down to the mine site and the terrain is very rough. The complete tour can take up to 2 & 1/2 hours.
Rain in the preceding 24 hours will mean the tour is cancelled.
This tour is generously provided by Kembla Lodge free of charge, however, we do ask that if you learned something and want to see better pathways and interpretation of the site undertaken that you write to Wollongong City Council and NSW State Representatives to ask to have something done about this historically significant site.
Tours can be arranged most days of the week except Saturdays. A couple of weeks notice is preferred, however, last minute special requests will be considered.
Mt Kembla Mine Site Picnic Area and Parking - google maps image.
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.
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:
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There are no pathways past the stables at the mine site, and the track is a very rough bush track. There is stinging nettle, native raspberries and the occasional leech so long pants, long sleeves, insect repellent, closed in walking boots or shoes with good grip, and water are recommended.
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There are no amenities on site, the nearest public toilet and refreshments are at Kembla Heights Bowling Club.
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This tour can only go ahead if there is no rain in the 24 hours preceding the tour.
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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.
Historic Mt Kembla Colliery 1878 -1970
Kembla Heights Heritage Conservation Area
