# Rosebery, Tasmania

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rosebery%2C_Tasmania
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Rosebery%2C_Tasmania.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosebery%2C_Tasmania
> Source revision: 1292889782
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Town in Tasmania, Australia

Town in Tasmania, Australia

Rosebery Town Rosebery Coordinates: 41°46′45″S 145°32′25″E / 41.77917°S 145.54028°E / -41.77917; 145.54028 Country Australia State Tasmania LGA West Coast Council Location 315 km (196 mi) NW of Hobart 109 km (68 mi) S of Burnie 55 km (34 mi) N of Queenstown 25 km (16 mi) N of Zeehan Government • State electorate House of Assembly: Braddon Legislative Council Division: Murchison • Federal division Braddon Elevation [3] 165 m (541 ft) Population • Total 749 (UCL 2021)[2] Postcode 7470 Mean max temp 16.4 °C (61.5 °F)[3] Mean min temp 7.0 °C (44.6 °F)[3] Annual rainfall 1,952 mm (76.9 in)[3]

**Rosebery** is a town on the [west coast](/source/West_Coast%2C_Tasmania) of [Tasmania](/source/Tasmania), [Australia](/source/Australia). It is at the northern end of the [West Coast Range](/source/West_Coast_Range), in the shadow of [Mount Black](/source/Mount_Black_(Tasmania)) and adjacent to the [Pieman River](/source/Pieman_River), now [Lake Pieman](/source/Lake_Pieman).

It lies on the [Murchison Highway](/source/Murchison_Highway), 25 kilometres north-east of [Zeehan](/source/Zeehan%2C_Tasmania) and is part of the Municipality of [West Coast Council](/source/West_Coast_Council). At the [2021 census](/source/2021_Australian_census), Rosebery had a population of 752.[4]

The population of Rosebery declined by 22% in the years between 1996-2001.[5] Its newer western area on the shore of Lake Pieman is known as Primrose.

## History

Like most of the other settlements on the west coast of Tasmania, Rosebery is a [mining](/source/Mining) town. In 1893, prospector Tom McDonald discovered gold in alluvial wash, along with boulders of zinc-lead sulphide in dense rainforest on the slopes of Mount Black. McDonald pegged several claims in the name of the Rosebery Prospecting Association (named after [Lord Rosebery](/source/Archibald_Primrose%2C_5th_Earl_of_Rosebery)[6]), which later became the Rosebery Gold Mining Company. The South Rosebery Mining Company was formed soon after to mine the southern continuation of the orebody.

In 1896, the Rosebery Gold Mining Company was reconstructed as the Tasmanian Copper Company, and the South Rosebery Mining Company became the Primrose Mining Company. Rosebery Post Office opened on 1 November 1897.[7]

The main mineral found in the orebody was sphalerite, but due to the lack of a technique to successfully extract the zinc from the ore, little could be done to exploit the orebody. One company formed to experiment in the processing of zinc ores was the Tasmanian Metals Extraction Company (TME) who built a large plant next to the track to Williamsford, completed in 1912. The experiment was unsuccessful and the plant closed in 1914.

The Rosebery mines passed into the hands of the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway company in 1916, and the mines were eventually merged with the [Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia (EZ)](/source/Electrolytic_Zinc), who had discovered an effective method for the extraction of zinc. In 1926, construction of a processing mill at Rosebery began, and in 1931, an aerial ropeway to transport ore from the Hercules Mine near Williamsford was completed. Due to the Great Depression, the Rosebery Mill was not completed until 1936. The Rosebery Mine has operated continuously since then, with 75 year celebrations held during February, 2011. The mine is currently operated by [Minerals and Metals Group](/source/Minerals_and_Metals_Group) (MMG), producing [zinc](/source/Zinc), [lead](/source/Lead), [copper](/source/Copper), [silver](/source/Silver) and [gold](/source/Gold).[8] Previous mine owners included [Pasminco](/source/Pasminco) and [Zinifex](/source/Zinifex).

Prior to the completion of the [Murchison Highway](/source/Murchison_Highway) in 1963, the town was connected with [Burnie](/source/Burnie%2C_Tasmania) and North West Tasmania via the [Emu Bay Railway](/source/Emu_Bay_Railway).

## Climate

Rosebery has a damp [oceanic climate](/source/Oceanic_climate) (*Cfb*) with cool to mild, damp, unstable summers and cool to cold, very wet winters. Sunshine is low; the city only receives 16.5 clear days annually, and as much as 168.1 cloudy days per annum. February is the driest month and September the wettest, as the [westerly](/source/Westerlies) wind belt (i.e. *[Roaring Forties](/source/Roaring_Forties)*) prevails in the region. Snow falls on an average of 2.8 days a year.[9]

Climate data for Rosebery (HEC Substation, 1979–1993); 165 m AMSL; 41.78° S, 145.54° E Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 38.0 (100.4) 36.8 (98.2) 31.5 (88.7) 28.0 (82.4) 24.5 (76.1) 17.7 (63.9) 16.1 (61.0) 19.1 (66.4) 22.5 (72.5) 27.6 (81.7) 32.0 (89.6) 35.6 (96.1) 38.0 (100.4) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21.0 (69.8) 21.9 (71.4) 20.1 (68.2) 17.0 (62.6) 14.1 (57.4) 11.3 (52.3) 11.0 (51.8) 12.1 (53.8) 13.3 (55.9) 16.4 (61.5) 18.6 (65.5) 20.5 (68.9) 16.4 (61.5) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.1 (50.2) 9.7 (49.5) 9.2 (48.6) 7.7 (45.9) 6.2 (43.2) 4.3 (39.7) 3.5 (38.3) 4.3 (39.7) 5.0 (41.0) 6.4 (43.5) 7.7 (45.9) 9.6 (49.3) 7.0 (44.6) Record low °C (°F) 3.5 (38.3) 1.8 (35.2) 2.5 (36.5) 0.5 (32.9) 0.0 (32.0) −3.0 (26.6) −3.0 (26.6) −2.5 (27.5) −1.5 (29.3) −1.0 (30.2) −0.5 (31.1) 2.8 (37.0) −3.0 (26.6) Average rainfall mm (inches) 129.5 (5.10) 81.6 (3.21) 102.8 (4.05) 150.7 (5.93) 172.7 (6.80) 199.9 (7.87) 208.7 (8.22) 211.1 (8.31) 233.2 (9.18) 189.7 (7.47) 147.0 (5.79) 134.5 (5.30) 1,961.4 (77.23) Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 17.0 12.9 16.3 18.1 20.6 21.7 22.4 24.8 23.1 21.3 17.3 17.2 232.7 Source: Bureau of Meteorology[3]

## Notable residents

- [Richard Flanagan](/source/Richard_Flanagan) – author, historian and film director

## Gallery

		- Mine buildings

		- Rosebery station

		- Railway Bridge over Rosebery Creek

		- Disused ore bucketway

		- Stitt Falls, Rosebery Creek

## See also

- [Australia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Australia)

- [West Coast Tasmania Mines](/source/West_Coast_Tasmania_Mines)

- [West Coast Tasmania Railways](/source/West_Coast_Tasmania_Railways)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Australian Bureau of Statistics](/source/Australian_Bureau_of_Statistics) (28 June 2022). ["Rosebery (urban centre and locality)"](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL621023). *Australian Census 2021*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Australian Bureau of Statistics](/source/Australian_Bureau_of_Statistics) (28 June 2022). ["Rosebery (urban centre and locality)"](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL621023). *Australian Census 2021*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BOM_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BOM_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-BOM_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-BOM_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-BOM_3-4) ["Climate statistics: Roseberry (HEC SUBSTATION)"](http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_097073.shtml). [Bureau of Meteorology](/source/Bureau_of_Meteorology). Retrieved 14 November 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Australian Bureau of Statistics](/source/Australian_Bureau_of_Statistics) (28 June 2022). ["Rosebery (Tas.)"](https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL60568). *2021 Census QuickStats*. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Population Distribution"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040923020935/http://www.rpdc.tas.gov.au/soer/indicator/55/index.php). Archived from [the original](http://www.rpdc.tas.gov.au/soer/indicator/55/index.php) on 23 September 2004. Retrieved 3 December 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Rosebery, Tasmania"](http://www.smh.com.au/news/Tasmania/Rosebery/2005/02/17/1108500205927.html). The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Post_Office_7-0)** Premier Postal History. ["Post Office List"](https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=Tas&country=). Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 16 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Powell_8-0)** Powell, Meg (3 March 2021). ["Rosebery Mine to celebrate 85 years in March, new infrastructure expected to extend life even further"](https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7151365/plenty-of-life-ahead-for-tasmanias-oldest-continuous-mine/?cs=7647). *[The Advocate](/source/The_Advocate_(Tasmania))*. [Australian Community Media](/source/Australian_Community_Media). Retrieved 6 March 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Rosebery Snowy Days (2.8)"](http://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Snow%20days%20descending.htm). *australianweathernews.com*. Retrieved 3 April 2021.

## Further reading

- [Blainey, Geoffrey](/source/Geoffrey_Blainey) (2000). *[The Peaks of Lyell](/source/The_Peaks_of_Lyell)* (6th ed.). Hobart: St. David's Park Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7246-2265-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7246-2265-9).

- Rae, Lou (2001). *The Abt Railway and Railways of the Lyell region*. Sandy Bay: Lou Rae. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9592098-7-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9592098-7-5).

- [Whitham, Charles](/source/Charles_Whitham) (2003). *Western Tasmania - A land of riches and beauty* (Reprint 2003 ed.). Queenstown: Municipality of Queenstown.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Rosebery, Tasmania](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rosebery,_Tasmania).

- [Crib & Cradle - Stay in Authentic Miners Accommodation in the heart of Rosebery.](http://cribandcradle.com.au/)

- [Mineral Resources Tasmania - Zinifex Rosebery mine](http://www.mrt.tas.gov.au/portal/page?_pageid=35,831254&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL)

- [Tourist information dated 2004](http://www.smh.com.au/news/Tasmania/Rosebery/2005/02/17/1108500205927.html)

- [Minerals and Metals Group](http://www.mmgroupltd.com/pages/826.aspx)

- ['MMG Rosebery provides feedback on workforce testing' April 2010](http://www.mmgroupltd.com/shared/1446.aspx)

- [http://www.lead.org.au/](http://www.lead.org.au/)

- [http://www.lead.org.au/lg%20las%20mr.html](http://www.lead.org.au/lg%20las%20mr.html)

- [Toxic heavy metals in Tasmania](http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Toxic_heavy_metals_in_Tasmania) at [SourceWatch](/source/SourceWatch)

v t e Western region of Tasmania, Australia Cities and other settlements Queenstown Crotty Darwin Dundas Gormanston Guildford Linda Pillinger Regatta Point Rosebery Strahan Tullah Waratah Williamsford Zeehan Governance Braddon (federal) Braddon (state) Franklin Land District Montgomery Land District Montagu Land District West Coast Council Lyell Murchison Zeehan Mountains West Coast Range Black Darwin Dundas Heemskirk Huxley Jukes Lyell Murchison Owen Read Read Volcanics Sedgwick Sorell Strahan Zeehan Tyndall Geikie Tyndall Eldon Eldon Peak Engineer unnamed peak Raglan unnamed peak Sticht unnamed peak National parks Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Rivers Anne Anthony Franklin Gordon Henty King Lea Mackintosh Murchison Pieman Queen Sophia Lakes Beatrice Burbury Dora Gordon Mackintosh Murchison Pieman Rosebery Westwood Dams Anthony Crotty Darwin Gordon Henty Mackintosh Tullabardine Lake Margaret Murchison Reece Power stations Anthony Power Development Bastyan Gordon John Butters Lake Margaret Mackintosh Reece Tribute Transport Anthony Road Hercules Haulage Lyell Highway Murchison Highway Queenstown Airport Strahan Airport Railways Emu Bay Macquarie Heads breakwater Melba Mount Dundas-Zeehan North East Dundas North Mount Lyell Wee Georgie Wood West Coast Wilderness Zeehan-Strahan Railway stations and former railway stations Queenstown Zeehan Landmarks Natural Birchs Inlet Cape Sorell Darwin Crater Granville Harbour Hells Gates Iron Blow Kelly Basin Linda Valley Macquarie Harbour Montezuma Falls Nelson Falls Ocean Beach Trial Harbour Man-made Cape Sorell Lighthouse Gaiety Theatre Galley Museum Paragon Theatre Queenstown Oval People of note Convicts on the West Coast Crotty Davey Gould Joyce Long Moore Pearce Piguenit Piners Sticht Whitham Mining Comstock Mine Copper Mines Henty Gold Mine Mount Jukes Mine sites Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Company Mount Lyell Remediation and Research and Demonstration Program North Mount Lyell North Mount Lyell Disaster (1912) Renison Bell Stichtite West Coast Tasmania Mines Books and newspapers For the Term of His Natural Life Gould's Book of Fish The Peaks of Lyell West Coast Miner Zeehan & Dundas Herald Other Darwin glass The Unconformity Round Earth Theatre Company Tasmanian West bioregion Western Tasmanian Football Association Western Tasmanian languages

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Rosebery, Tasmania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosebery%2C_Tasmania) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosebery%2C_Tasmania?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.