Charters Towers by Berichard

Charters Towers Qld 4820
(Pop 7 800)

Charters Towers is a charming and historic mining town in Townsville’s hinterland region 1 309 km n-w of Brisbane. It boasts a proud goldmining heritage reflected in its superb 19^th & 20^th architecture.  The first of many gold finds began here in 1871 with reef gold discoveries resulting in a more substantial settlement at the time known as ‘The World’ due to the many nationalities from all over the globe. Today cattle represent the region’s main industry together with a renewed interest in mining.  National Trust Markets 1^st & 3^rd Sun each month. Rodeo (Easter), Towers Bonza Bash (Apr-May), Country Music Festival (May).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Ghost of Gold Heritage Trail (begins behind Visitors Centre) takes in more than 60 Heritage-listed buildings including the impressive Stock Exchange. Zara Clark Museum, Mosman St former general merchant’s shop that today is owned and run by the National Trust. It features interesting historic displays & memorabilia. Rotary Lookout, Fraser St panoramic district views.

Nearby: 
Venus Gold Battery (5 km east) est. 1872 and Australia’s largest surviving battery relic and Qld's oldest. Of 29 original batteries only Venus now remains. Open (9.30am-4.30pm). Nearby Towers Hill Lookout (125 m) has best regional views. Flat Rock (20 km east) large river frontage camping reserve providing excellent fishing & swimming. Dalrymple NP (46 north) small BurdekinRiver woodland park noted for its native animals and particularly the Great Basalt Wall, a 4 million year old solidified lava wall. Burdekin Falls Dam (165 km s-e) excellent barramundi fishing. Blackwood NP (180 km south) scenic and undulating woodland park with many Belyando blackwood trees and interesting fire trails.

Accommodation:
Charters Towers has a dozen hotels/motels, a couple of B&Bs and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: 74 Mosman St. Tel (07) 4752 0314.