Kurri Kurri - Our History
Kurri Kurri is the centre of a region, within the Hunter Valley, known as the South Maitland Coalfields. Although the era of coal has now passed, the region is centrally located within the Lower HunterValley to ideally provide ease of travel, whether it be for employment, recreation or to visit the metropolis, whilst also providing affordable home sites.
At the commencement of the 1900's the Newcastle coal mines were rapidly coming to the end of their life span, so the colliery owners turned to the nearby South Maitland Coalfield, proven by Sir Edgeworth David, government geological surveyor, in 1886, to be the richest coal field in the Southern Hemisphere.
Coinciding with the advent of Federation, the coal towns all sprang up in quick succession from 1901-04, as rapidly as a rail transport line could be constructed into what was previously a wilderness. Kurri Kurri was thus founded in October, 1902.
During the mid-1920's the coal trade reached its peak but by the mid-1960's had all but ended. During the coal era the district and towns prospered, with a strong, unique community growing with it.
Since the 1970's, numerous light industries have been established as the town took another direction, as well as the introduction of an aluminium smelter, the major employer of the region.
Today only memorials are to be seen of the coal era, most notably being the grand hotels of the region, a reminder of the wealth which once existed.
Throughout Kurri Kurri and the surrounding towns can also be seen many examples of simple miners' cottages, proudly preserved and maintained by their owners.
The spirit of Kurri Kurri and its people was exhibited in 1993 when it was judged the State Tidy Town winner, reflecting the pride the community has in the town which they call home.
