heritage blinman mine

In the 1980's I used to get into the mine through a broken gate and walk part way into the mine. The other day, I did the escorted mine tour. The Blinman Progress Association have done a marvellous job in presenting the old copper mine with an expanded underground tour that lasts about one hour. They have fitted lighting and extended a new tunnel to some of the old mine workings. The tour guide was very knowledgeable If you are in Blinman, it is well worth the effort to explore the mine that is over 140 years old.After the guided tour, you are free to explore the mining history on the outside of the mine. This is equally spectacular and worth the effort. A small amount of climbing is involved.Being an old mine, there is no wheelchair access but 5the mine is very safe for families with children.

From the moment you enter the mine with the hats etc the smell the whole experience is so unbelievable the stores right down to what the miners took down for there meals so interesting

This tour was a big surprise in a little town (Pop 18)! Nick, our enthusiastic and engaging guide was full of interesting facts and not only informed our small group but literally enabled us to picture the lives of the tireless miners who worked so hard to keep the town, and their families alive. I was equally as impressed knowing that Nick and a handful of his fellow townsfolk had raised the necessary money themselves to establish this unique underground mine tour and, just as the miners had done over a hundred years ago, they are working hard to keep their little town alive through their own initiative and imagination. A surprisingly vivid encounter with history, not just an Indiana Jones style amusement park ride.

I liked the fact we could walk in the steps of the miners who had worked down there so long ago. Our guide pointed out some interesting features to us.

I have already written about the Blinman Wild Peaches, (Quongdongs to most people), but another great experience while in Blinman is to do the Heritage Mine Tour.that is conducted three times per day, unless a group booking is made in advance.The times are, 10.00 am,12.00 mid day, and 2.00 pm. I was the only starter for the 12 noon tour. "No go. Wait and see if others show up." Others didn't show up, so I waited for the 2.00 om tour. We were issued with miner's tags to hang outside the mine, OH&S policy. Our Guide Sherrie, (hope I got it right?) was amazing even before entering the mine knew each and every one of the children in our group by their name.During the tour, children asked questions, Sherrie answered each and every one, and by name.If only I was that good.We learned so much about the Hard Rock Miners, their methods of mining, and so much more.I have it all here on my brochures. Go get one your self. Blinman has a small community of 22 people plus others from outlying sheep properties. All of these people work together to keep Blinman and its attractions up and running. What a great little community.I am not much on facts and figures, but I know a good thing when I see it, and Blinman and the Mine tour is as others have said, "A great step back in time."If going underground is not your thing, there are plenty of well signed attractions to see up on the surface while you wait for those who venture below.

This tour is a fascinating and thought provoking journey into the mid 1800s to 1905 in Blinman. Imagine hand drilling copper from solid rock by candlelight. Imagine being so desperate for a livelihood that you travelled from Cornwall to the temperature extremes of Blinman (anything from -7C to 50c). Imagine you and your family living in tents, with no good water nearby, no sanitation, no doctors, goat tracks for roads. That, and more, happened in Blinman. Go to the mine and take a trip back in time with a very knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. The community has used the hardworking spirit of the Cornish miners to restore the mine and proudly shows it off. You will even have the opportunity to touch 840 million year old rocks - that means they predate animals and donor contain fossils!

Great tour and guide knew her stuff. Would recommend to all travellers to Blinman. Good value tour and well worth the drive to such a remote town

What a wonderful piece of history here that the Blinman locals have fought hard to preserve and prepare for underground tours to take place. Congratulations. The tour guides are passionate about their work which is evident by their enthusiasm and knowledge. Well done. I think it would be possible to do this tour in a wheelchair, though there are sloping passages where a strong supporter would be required.

The underground mine tour was very informative and our guide was extremely passionate about its history. Well done all the locals who have put in time and effort to make it an exciting tour. You can follow the sign posts outside for a truly amazing insight into life as it was for the miners.

Had a great time at the Blinman Mine tour. It was informative and gave great insight into the life of a miner and their families. The tour guides interacted well with the tourists making the tour a much more enjoyable experience.

I think that the local blinmanites should be proud of their efforts to present an insight into the mine and the way of life of the miners.Even if you cannot make the underground tour,there are good interpretive boards at the sight.The guides seemed excited about their project, and knew their history

Absolutely fascinating - and the guide could not have been better informed or interesting. Well worth the effort.

Blinman itself is a very small but very friendly town. The mine does not have alot of structure left, so imagination is required, however, they do tours into the mine shaft.

Our guide Cheri (?) was excellent, very informative, knowledgeable about the mining operation and history. Despite the outside temperature of 7c we enjoyed the tour.

Brilliant! The tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, & professional. Really good value. Highly recommended!!