Wheal Watkins silver mine

Site of the earliest successful silver mining in Australia dating from the mid nineteenth century, wheal Watkins in now inaccessible to the public. Money is needed to reopen it for tours, which ceased when a small rockfall occurred years ago. The whole hillside is honeycombed with mine workings. This is only one mine of many in this area of the Adelaide hills. University caving groups used to explore its extensive passageways. The mine was owned by the first Colonial Treasurer of South Australia, know both for his generosity and bad temper.
The local Council is now restoring the exterior and improving signage.

The mine is almost obscured by suburban sprawl, roads and neglect.