Mathinna, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MathinnaTasmania |
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 Mathinna
Location in Tasmania
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| Population | 131 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.2/km2 (0.52/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 7214 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 300 m (984 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1,370.4 km2 (529.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Break O'Day Council | ||||||||||||||
| Region | North-east | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Lyons | ||||||||||||||
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Mathinna is a small rural town located in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It is about 63 kilometers (39 miles) east of Launceston. The town is named after a young Aboriginal girl. She lived with Sir John Franklin, who was the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land, and his wife, Lady Jane Franklin.
Contents
Discovering Mathinna's Past
Mathinna became an official locality in 1976. The town grew quickly after gold was found there in the 1890s.
Gold Mining History
The Golden Gate Mine in Mathinna was one of Tasmania's richest gold mines. It was second only to the mine in Beaconsfield. At its busiest in the late 1890s, over 5,000 people lived in Mathinna. This included many Chinese miners. At that time, it was the third largest town in Tasmania.
A company tried to reopen the Golden Gate mine in 1994, but it did not work out. However, more recent gold mining efforts have been successful. In 2006, the Mathinna mine aimed to produce 70,000 ounces of gold.
Post Office and Famous People
The local post office first opened on June 30, 1870. It was first called Blackboy Post Office. Then, in 1871, it was renamed Reedy Marsh, Blackboy. Finally, in 1882, it became Mathinna Post Office.
Eric Reece, who later became the Premier of Tasmania, was born in Mathinna in 1909.
Mathinna's Location
The Scamander River forms part of the northern and most of the north-eastern borders of Mathinna.
Getting Around Mathinna
Route B43, known as Mathinna Road, leads into the town from the south. It then runs north-west and west through the village. From there, the road continues west as C401, called Upper Esk Road.
