The Big Flywheel
Height
Unknown
Year Built
Address
Beaconsfield, TAS 7270
The Lowdown
The Big Flywheel stands as a monument to Beaconsfield's rich gold mining heritage, representing the industrial machinery that powered one of Tasmania's most significant mines. This massive piece of mining equipment commemorates the Beaconsfield Gold Mine, which operated from 1877 to 2012 and produced over two million ounces of gold. The mine gained international attention in 2006 when two miners survived 14 days trapped underground following a collapse. The Big Flywheel celebrates the engineering ingenuity and the tough miners who worked these deep underground tunnels.
Did you know?
"The mine reached depths of over 1,200 metres"
History
The Beaconsfield Gold Mine began operations in 1877 and became one of the richest in the Southern Hemisphere. At its peak, the town had a population of over 4,000 people. The mine closed in 1914 but was reopened in 1999 using modern techniques. In 2006, a rock fall trapped three miners underground; two survived for 14 days before being rescued in a dramatic operation watched by millions worldwide. The mine finally closed in 2012, but the flywheel and the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre preserve this extraordinary story.
More Fun Facts
- •The Beaconsfield mine produced over 2 million ounces of gold
- •The 2006 mine rescue took 14 days and captivated the world
- •Beaconsfield was once one of Australia's richest gold towns
- •The mine reached depths of over 1,200 metres
- •The Heritage Centre tells the full story of the mine and rescue
Visiting Tips
- 💡Visit the Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre for the full story
- 💡The mine rescue capsule is on display
- 💡The Tamar Valley wine trail is nearby
- 💡Beauty Point's Seahorse World is just down the road
Opening Hours
Outdoor display accessible at all times.
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