Wallaroo, a key port town on the western coast of the Yorke Peninsula, is one of the three historic Copper Triangle towns, collectively known as "Little Cornwall." Established in the 1860s, its heritage is deeply entwined with the copper boom, though unlike its neighbours Kadina and Moonta, Wallaroo's role was not in mining but in smelting. It was home to the largest copper smelter outside of Wales, the towering chimney of which still stands as a landmark.
This industrial past is preserved in the town's numerous heritage-listed buildings, including the old post office, customs house, and courthouse, which offer a glimpse into its prosperous 19th-century history. The name 'Wallaroo' itself is derived from the Narungga Aboriginal words 'wadlu waru,' meaning wallaby urine, a testament to the area's rich Indigenous heritage.
Wallaroo also serves as the terminal for the Spencer Gulf Searoad ferry to Lucky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, making it a vital transport link.
Every two years, Wallaroo, along with Kadina and Moonta, celebrates its Cornish roots by hosting the Kernewek Lowender, the world's largest Cornish festival.
