Mt Laura Homestead Museum

The main building in the Museum complex is Mt Laura Homestead. The building was constructed in 1922 as the homestead for a sheep station that was several miles from the township of Hummock Hill (now Whyalla). The front two rooms were constructed of local stone in 1934.

By the early 1960's, the urban areas of Whyalla had advanced upon the Homestead and the owners, the Nicolson family, sold a portion of their land to the City for further development. Finally, the City of Whyalla encircled the Homestead, and the building was handed over to the National Trust in 1967.

The Homestead is now the home of an extensive pictorial record of the early years of the City's development, and many items of memorabilia are also displayed. These range from everyday household items used by the earliest residents of Whyalla to the first BHP switchboard and a printing press from the Whyalla News.

Location: Ekblom Street, off Nicolson Avenue, behind Westland Shopping Centre (PO Box 289, Whyalla SA 5600)
Open: Weekdays 10am to 12noon, Sunday 2pm to 4pm. Closed on Saturday's.
Cost: Adult $4.00; Pensioner $3.00; Child $1.00; Family $10.00. Group Concessions.
Enquiries: 8645 3565 (caretaker).

Gay Street Cottage

The Gay Street Cottage is an original workman's cottage built by BHP in 1914. It was shifted from it's original location in Gay Street to the Museum complex in 1984.

All of the rooms have been furnished to represent the appearance of the cottage when it was first lived in.

Engine Shed

The Nicolson Engine Shed contains many fine examples of stationary engines from early this century. These engines have been restored by members of the Nicolson family, and the majority of them are in working order.

An addition to the shed to allow the exhibits to be properly displayed was recently constructed by the Mt Laura Lions Club.

Telecommunications Museum

The Telecommunications Museum was opened in November 1997, and contains an historic collection of artefacts covering Australian telecommunications history. The items range from the overland telegraph era (1870) to modern satellite communications.

An extensive collection of morse code, telephone, telegraph, radio and associated equipment can be viewed, along with pictorial and three dimensional displays. Also on display are several items from the original overland telegraph line.

Opening Times
Weekdays 10:00am - Noon
Sunday 2:00pm - 4:00pm
or by appointment

Admission
Adults $4:00
Children $1:00
Concession $3:00
Family $10:00
Group Concessions

Phone Number
8645 3565
Mobile Number
0417 861705