Princess Royal home a legacy of failed half of 19th Century copper mine at Burra in South Australia's mid north

South Australian state heritage listed Princess Royal Homestead on the sheep station, near Burra in the mid north, of almost 21,700 acres including the original grant of 10,000 acres to the Princess Royal Mining Company who sold it in 1860 after failing to make a profit from its copper venture, unlike the adjoining Monster Mine.
Image courtesy Princess Royal Station

Princess Royal Homestead, South Australian state heritage listed in 1980, was the legacy of the failed half of the copper mine bonanza at Burra in South Australia’s mid north.

In 1845, copper outcrops were discovered along the Burra Burra Creek by shepherds William Streair and Thomas Pickett. The surveyed area of 20,000 acres to be mined was then split into two: the South Australian Mining Association taking one section the Burra Burra (or Monster) Mine and the second becoming the Princess Royal Mine operated by the Princess Royal Mining Company.

The Monster Mine went on to become one of the biggest mines of its day, forming Burra, the first mining township. The Princess Royal Mining Company also planned a township also to be named Princess Royal, on the site where the Princess Royal homestead was later built. But the Princess Royal Mine was less successful as it generated no more than £7,000 profit for shareholders. Its 10,000 acres was sold as a sheep station in 1860.

What became Princess Royal Station was bought by John Tyler for £9,000, who held the property for two years. It was then sold to sheep farmer and “great flock master" Andrew McCulloch. In 1864, McCulloch commissioned the homestead to be built. It was designed by renowned architect, engineer and businessman Edmund Wright who also became mayor of Adelaide in 1859. The coach house and stables, also heritage listed, soon followed the homestead.

The public were regularly invited to enjoy the grounds of the homestead, described as a “Victorian English country house”, for picnics and other social events. Over time the property grew to almost 21,700 acres with the original grant of 10,000 acres staying intact.

In 1900, another pastoral pioneer John Tennant bought the property and it remained in the Tennant family until 2000 when it transferred to another family with deep rural links: the Rowes, Bob, an iconic figure in the South Australian meat livestock industry, and his son Simon. Bob Rowe was part of T&R (Thomas and Rowe) Pastoral that later became Thomas Foods International. Princess Royal Station was a natural progression for the Rowe family from T&R Pastoral, as their skills and passion lay on the rearing and trading of livestock, rather than processing and retail.