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

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...

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...

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

Muddy waters

Situated on the edge of the Derby marsh, surrounded by the iconic boab trees of this region, stands the Wharfinger House Museum. Built in the 1920s, it is situated in the former home of the manager of...

This is the place of Yawuru

Representing the Yawuru people, the traditional owners of the country around Broome, Nyamba Buru Yawuru (NBY) is committed to a vision of mabu liyan, mabu buru, mabu ngarrangunil – Good liyan, (well...

Pilbara artists and much more

Located in the Red Earth Arts Precinct a state-of-the-art performance and art centre that was built in 2018, the City of Karratha’s impressive art collection comprises many of the acquisitive prize...

Broome community reflected

Broome Library is the community hub of Broome where you can find about what is going on in town. Providing a cool haven for passing visitors and the local community, with around 12,000 borrowers, the...

While you're in the area

Filter
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 Pool 'A' Class Reserve
Attraction
Marble Bar Pool 'A' Class Reserve
Take a refreshing swim in the beautiful clear water of the Marble Bar Pool...
Marble Bar Pool Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760
Doolena Gorge
Attraction
Doolena Gorge
Doolena Gorge offers an excellent vantage point to witness a spectacular...
via Black Rock Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760
Chinaman's Pool and Picnic Area
Attraction
Chinaman's Pool and Picnic Area
Spanning the Coongan River, the Jasper creates a stunning backdrop and...
via Marble Bar Pool Road, Marble Bar, WA 6760