Map of Australian Nuclear Sites
Australia has vast uranium reserves, making it a key player in the global nuclear industry. The country exports uranium to nations with established nuclear energy programs. The mining industry, particularly in South Australia and the Northern Territory, makes use of some of the richest uranium reserves and largest mines in the entire world.
Nuclear energy has been discussed as a potential solution to Australia’s growing demand for low-emission power, yet opposition remains strong due to concerns about waste disposal, costs, and safety. While the country has no nuclear plants, it does have a small number of research reactors, primarily for medical and industrial purposes. While nuclear energy debates continue, Australia’s policies and public sentiment lean towards renewables, maintaining a cautious stance on nuclear power expansion. Find out where the country’s nuclear sites are located, and what goes on at each of them, on our interactive map of Australian nuclear sites.
Quick Guide to using the Map of Australian Nuclear Sites
MAP – Click and drag to move the map around. Hold Ctrl and use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. Alternatively use the zoom buttons in the top right corner.
POINTS – Points are coloured based on the purpose of the nuclear site.
COUNTER – The counter in the top left displays the number of nuclear sites under each purpose. Clicking on a specific counter lets you see only sites that fall within that category.
POPUPS – Hovering over a specific point on the map will show you a popup containing additional information about the site.
Data
Below is the full data set used to create the Australia Nuclear Sites Map. You can use it to look up specific nuclear sites.
| Name | Purpose | Latitude | Longitude | Status | Construction Start | Start of Operations | End of Operations | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) | Research Institute | -34.049 | 150.975 | Operational | Unknown | 1987 | / | |
| Beverley Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -30.192876 | 139.597637 | Operational | Unknown | 2001 | / | In-situ recovery uranium mine |
| El Sherana Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -13.5094 | 132.5209 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1958 | 1959 | |
| Emu Field / Emu Junction | Weapons Testing | -28.63435 | 132.20353 | / | / | 1953 | 1953 | Site of Operation Totem, a pair of nuclear tests conducted by the British Government |
| Four Mile Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -30.146833 | 139.506639 | Operational | Unknown | 2014 | / | In-situ recovery uranium mine |
| High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR) | Research Reactor | -34.051667 | 150.980556 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1958 | 2007 | Heavy water DIDO class |
| Honeymoon Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -31.74095 | 140.66236 | Temporary shutdown | Unknown | 2011 | 2013 | In-situ recovery uranium mine |
| Jabiluka Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -12.5306 | 132.9082 | Cancelled | / | / | / | |
| Jervis Bay Nuclear Power Plant | Power Station | -35.126 | 150.753 | Cancelled | / | / | / | 1x 600 MWe Steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) |
| Maralinga | Weapons Testing | -30.15 | 131.583333 | / | / | 1956 | 1963 | Site of seven atmospheric nuclear weapon tests by the British military (Operation Buffalo, Operation Antler) |
| Mary Kathleen Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -20.746864 | 140.012718 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1958 | 1982 | Open Pit Uranium mine |
| MOATA | Research Reactor | -34.051636 | 150.979231 | Decommissioned | Unknown | 1961 | 2009 | Argonaut |
| Montebello Islands | Weapons Testing | -20.46 | 115.54 | / | / | 1952 | 1956 | Site of three atmospheric nuclear weapon tests by the British military (Operation Hurricane, Operation Mosaic G1 & G2) |
| Nabarlek Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -12.304753 | 133.322786 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1979 | 1979 | |
| Olympic Dam mine | Fuel Production | -30.44 | 136.873056 | Operational | Unknown | 1988 | / | Largest known single deposit of uranium in the world |
| Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor (OPAL) | Research Reactor | -34.051339 | 150.978799 | Operational | Unknown | 2006 | / | Pool |
| Port Pirie Uranium Treatment Plant | Fuel Production | -33.168458 | 138.012428 | Dismantled | Unknown | 1954 | 1962 | Processed ore from Radium Hill and Wild Dog Hill |
| Radium Hill | Fuel Production | -32.346103 | 140.636567 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1906 | 1961 | Australia's first uranium mine |
| Ranger Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -12.683333 | 132.916667 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1980 | 2012 | Open Pit Uranium mine |
| Rum Jungle Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -12.994389 | 131.022972 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1954 | 1971 | |
| Wild Dog Hill Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -35.43611 | 138.43889 | Permanent shutdown | Unknown | 1953 | 1955 | |
| Wiluna Uranium Mine | Fuel Production | -26.834 | 120.3605 | Proposed | / | / | / | Open Pit Uranium mine |
