Report from our Secretary,Bob.
The camera viewing was successful,Newcastle Industrial Heritage Association is pleased to have assisted the history making work of the Coal River Working Party in locating and sending a camera inside Australia’s first mine. The 1804 convict coal mine has been lost behind a concrete wall for 120 years, and its existence almost forgotten. Excellent research by the University of Newcastle, and precise surveying by members of the Coal River Working Party pinpointed the exact location of the entrance to this historically important site.
When the settlement at Sydney was only 10 years old it was critical to find a supply of coal. This mine provided Australia’s first export.
Two members of NIHA recorded video and photos of the drilling and of lowering a camera into the mine, and will continue working with the Coal River Working Party to use this to encourage further exploration and at the site.

For further details connect to the Coal River website.









I attended the drilling into the side of the fort hill today to locate the first 1804 coal mine. I recorded the only archival video of the event, and everyone was excited when the first drill located a ‘void’. This was where they thought the first tunnel exited on the ocean side – and they found it. This is great news as it was covered 120 years ago!! and lost. No doubt our first industry – convict coal mining