Rosebery, situated 125 kilometres south of Burnie and 34 kilometres north of Zeehan, was founded due to the discovery of gold in present day Rosebery Creek in 1893. The first prospectors had been exploring the area since the beginnings of the 1890s, and had worked on small ineffectual claims.

The first mine - called Primrose - had opened in 1897, named after the family name of the Earl of Rosebery, one of whom was Prime Minister of England at this time. A gold mining company was formed, followed by a copper mining company, both of which were failures. Both companies were reorganised in 1896 to become the Tasmanian Copper Company, run by B.P. Eckberg, and the Primrose Mining Company managed by Mark Ireland.

Extensive deposits of lead and zinc were discovered, but were difficult to extract as the technology available to the miners was not sufficient to separate the lead from the zinc; subsequently most of the mines were forced to close.

A rail line was constructed in 1899 to link Rosebery with Burnie; prior to this it had been expensive and time consuming to transport necessary goods and supplies by sea through the port of Strahan. The new railway joined onto the already existing line that linked Waratah to the north coast. Zeehan and Queenstown were also serviced by the Emu Bay Railway Company Line.

There now followed a boom period in Rosebery's history with there being no difficulty for mining companies to gain financial backing from expectant investors. However, two notable failures in the area were the smelters at Colebrook and another smelter just 1 kilometre away which, although it looked the part, did not meet the technological standards of the time. Both mines were closed down and dismantled.

The Mt Lyell Mining Company was approached by the Electrolytic Zinc Company in 1918 with regard to their zinc deposits at Mt Read and Rosebery, but it was not until 1920 that the ownership of these mines changed hands.

The arrival of the Electrolytic Zinc Company saw Rosebery become a thriving town with a wide range of community facilities, including a District Hospital, banks, schools, churches, hotels and recreation grounds. Ore from the nearby Williamsford mine was transported to Rosebery by means of an overhead ropeway.

Today, Rosebery is a thriving town which celebrated its centenary in 1993. The mining tradition is still as strong as ever, with the controlling mining company Pasminco, which was founded in 1988 after a merger with CRA Limited and North Broken Hill Peko Limited, employing about 300 people.


Rosebery has an abundance of outdoor activities for the more actively inclined visitor.

The town is an ideal base for fishing on Lake Rosebery, and visitors can also indulge in a game of tennis, play a nifty nine holes of golf, and enjoy splashing around in the swimming pool in the township.

For those keen on fishing you should contact Hay's Tassie Trout Guiding Service. Your guide has years of experience and all equipment is provided. Tours can be arranged to suit your needs, and your guide will meet you wherever best suits you. You have the opportunity to travel in an air conditioned 4WD vehicle, and tuition can also be given. Stream, lake and river fishing - whatever takes your fancy.

For further information, contact K.J. and W.M. Hay, PO Box 75, Rosebery, Tasmania 7470, or phone (004)73 1247.

Tours of the Rosebery Mine are available, which take in a whole range of interesting features. During the two hours you will learn all about milling procedure and responsible environment management, as well as having the chance to go on a tour of Pasminco Zinc Mine Surface Area. The tour covers areas of revegetation, and dams of wetland nature. There is also a tour which takes in Montezuma Falls with a free lunch. Tours depart from Rosebery Coffee and Craft teashop on the Main Street. For bookings phone (004) 73 1247.

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