Bustling Blinman- While Shepherds watched....

Bustling Blinman from the top of the mine site.

A shepherd by the name of Blinman was watching his sheep in 1859 when he discovered an outcrop of copper ore. Too poor to pay the ten pounds for the lease, he asked 3 mates to join him and they purchased the lease together. Four years later they sold the lease to a Mining company for 17 thousand pounds.  Now that’s what I call a good investment!



View from our campsite at Alpana Station

Today the town of Blinman is totally run by the 15 people who live there. They don’t belong to any council and everything that happens in the town is determined by the Progress Association which also includes people from the neighbouring stations. To say that these people know how to work together is an understatement. This little town is thriving - can't get a park in the main street. The mine tour is second to none and our tour guide told the history of the mine from the heart. She and the other townsfolk had spent 15 years getting the mine safe and tourist friendly.

Apart from the mine tour, there is much to do in and around Blinman. The hotel, most of which is original, was packed with tourists enjoying lunch and  the Wild Lime Café  (owned by a couple with dreadlocks who would look more at home in Nimbin), where we chose to have coffee was well patronized also.  Scenic drives past historic buildings associated with mining and pastoralists, were everywhere.  A short trip took us out to Brachina Gorge – a geologically significant site here in the Flinders.  

So don’t underestimate the small towns.  Unlike the shepherd Blinman, you could really miss something valuable if you don’t keep your eyes open.