Kiandra Historic site
Kosciuszko NP, 85km north-west of Cooma
Stamp battery - removed from its original location and reconstructed at Kiandra |
Legend has it that a thirsty shepherd when trying to drink from a local creek almost choked
on a nugget of gold. By 1860 the quiet town of Kiandra became a bustling
goldmining centre with 15,000 residents, 25 stores, 13 bakers, 16 butchers
and 14 hotels.
Kiandra was Australia's only snowbound gold mining village and, when in the winter of 1861 Scandinavian
miners introduced snow shoeing - skiing - to Australia, it became the birthplace
of skiing in Australia.
Today, only remnants remain of the old Kiandra. Foundation funds helped in the overall redevelopment
of historic Kiandra. |