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.

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.

The mine is currently operated by Minerals and Metals Group (MMG), producing zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold.

Prior to the construction of the Murchison Highway in the 1960s, the town was connected with Burnie and North West Tasmania via the Emu Bay Railway.

February is the driest month and September the wettest, as the westerly wind belt (i.e. Roaring Forties) prevails in the region.