Agent TypeOrganisationHistoryCoal Cliff Colliery, located south of Sydney NSW and owned by Coal Cliff Mining Co. opened for business in 1878. Lewis Gordon took up coal bearing lands near Coal Cliff in 1840. Several changes of ownership later they were acquired by Alexander Stuart (later to become NSW Premier 1883 - 1885) in 1876. Financed by Thomas Walker, he constructed the Coal Cliff jetty and opened the tunnel mine in April, 1877, working the Bulli seam outcropping some 10 metres above sea level and the 4 foot seam exposed at the waters edge. The mining company built Clifton village to accommodate its labour force. The jetty was its lifeline, partially destroyed in June, 1878, rebuilt at a higher level but wrecked again in June 1881, forcing the mine to close for 4 months.
Rebuilt the jetty survived until 1904 when 150 feet was lost. It was not used for shipping after 1912.
In 1892 The Hon. E. Vickery, MLC acquired an interest in the colliery, the family retaining control until taken over by Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty Ltd. Steam collier, the Undola, commenced work in 1910 however she disappeared with all hands in December 1918 between Bellambi and Sydney. It is believed that the ship struck a German mine. In 1909, consultants D. A. W. Robertson commenced planning the mines future. Financially backed by E. Vickery and Sons Ltd. the decision to form Coal Cliff Collieries was taken. The new colliery was based around a winding shaft sunk adjacent to the northern portal of the Clifton railway tunnel. Shaft spoil formed the foundations of the pit bank of Coal Cliff Colliery. Illawarra Coke Works was built in 1913 and commenced producing coke in December, 1914. Side by side but owned by separate interests, the mine and coke works were eventually acquired by Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd. in 1954.
Coal Cliff Colliery. University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 07/06/2026, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/59581
