Collinsville Qld 4804 (Pop 2 100) 

Collinsville is an important and historic Whitsundays region coal mining town located 1 140 km n-w of Brisbane. Following early gold, silver & lead finds in the region, coal were discovered in 1860s and a settlement finally emerged in 1920s together with the coming of the railway. Today Collinsville continues to prosper producing over a million tonnes of coal per year. The pretty Sonoma State Forest is nearby. Mining tours Tel (07) 4785 5366) and fossicking (permit required) are both popular.

Accommodation:
Collinsville has a couple of hotels and motels. Visitor Information Centre: next to Big Mango, Bruce Hwy, Mount Gordon, Bowen. Tel (07) 4786 4222.