Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre

Plenty of gold still here

Gold fever hit Marble Bar in the 1890s but the rocky hills and alluvial creeks hold much more that gold. Situated 9 kilometres from Marble Bar, adjacent to the old Comet gold mine, this gem of a museum has a diverse collection of gemstones, rocks and minerals that can be found in the region. Gold, quartz, jasper, tin, copper, rare earth metals and Pilbara jade are displayed amongst a rich collection of historical paraphernalia and machinery associated with the mining and pastoral life of the area. Founded in 1936, the Comet Mine was named by Tommy Starr, a fulltime prospector who found the original gold seam at the top of the mountain. He named it because he considered his lucky strike was as rare as seeing Halley’s comet. The mine, with its landmark 75 metre-high chimney stack, has morphed over the years to mine tin and tantalite, and gold tailings during the 1970s, when it doubled as a major Pilbara tourist attraction, with tours down the shaft. The mine is now closed, but the lease is owned by nearby Haomi Mines, which continues to be productive as Marble Bar heads towards a new mining boom.

Address:

Hillside Road
Marble Bar WA 6760
Australia

Fax:
(08) 9176 1129
Opening Hours

7 days 9am - 4pm

Milling and mining

This tin yandy is shaped in the traditional form of a coolamon dish that is shaken in a rhythmic motion to separate grass seeds from their husks for damper making. Adapted, it was used by Aboriginal...

Gold digger

This pretty nugget would have been a lucky find, and shows how gold and quartz (famed in the Marble Bar area) can be found together. In 1995 ‘George’, a keen prospector, found one of the largest...

Rare jade

This is a surprise find in the museum - a small sculpture depicting Halley’s Comet carved from Pilbara jade, a prized rock that is transparent if carved thinly enough. Jade is only found in a few...

More North West collections

Home of the Dalgety manager

Once the centre of town, the former Dalgety managers’ residence now houses Port Hedland Historical Society’s Dalgety House Museum. Dalgety House is adorned with lattice and louvered windows, and has...

One big mob altogether so that our grandchildren’s, children’s children will know their culture.

The artists say, ‘This place - it’s a good art centre!’ And it is. In the heart of Miriwoong country the Centre is focused on maintaining and passing on culture through dance, story and painting to...

Art of the Eastern Pilbara

Martumili is the home of western desert artists – a vibrant hub for Martu artists from six remote desert communities scattered across the Western, Great Sandy, Sandy and Gibson deserts. These artists...

Kimberley artists abound

The Shinju Matsuri Art Awards is an open competition and exhibition for Broome and Kimberley based artists, held every year as a core event of Broome’s annual Shinju Matsuri Festival. The overall...

While you're in the area

Filter
Doolena Gorge
Attraction
Doolena Gorge
Doolena Gorge offers an excellent vantage point to witness a spectacular...
via Black Rock Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760
Iron Clad Hotel
Accommodation
Iron Clad Hotel
The Ironclad Hotel was erected as Marble Bar's first hotel in 1892, one of...
15 Francis Street, Marble Bar, WA 6760
Marble Bar Roadhouse & Travellers Rest
Accommodation
Marble Bar Roadhouse & Travellers Rest
Everyone needs a place to lay their weary head. For travellers visiting...
40 Halse Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760
Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre
Attraction
Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre
Visit the Comet Gold Mine and Tourist Centre near Marble Bar to view a...
Hillside Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760