It was extended to Brinkworth on 2 July 1894 where it joined the Hamley Bridge-Gladstone line.

[2][3] The section from Kadina to Snowtown was converted to dual gauge on 2 December 1982 with an extra 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) rail laid following the conversion of the Adelaide-Port Augusta line.

The Snowtown to Brinkworth section closed on 20 February 1990 followed by the rest of the line on 3 March 1993.

[3] After closure, part of the line from Wallaroo to Bute was used by the Lions Club of Yorke Peninsula for heritage tourist train services, but this ceased in 2009.

The line between Wallaroo and Kadina has since been pulled up and replaced with the Copper Coast Rail Trail and retail stores on both ends.