Emerald Qld 4720 (Pop 17 000)

Emerald is a prosperous Capricorn service centre 830 km n-w of Brisbane. It sits on the NogoaRiver at the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory Hwys and was established in 1879 though little remains of the original town due to a number of major fires between 1936-68. Emerald's future success was assured with the construction of Fairbairn Dam (1972) together with the growing of sorghum. Other important industries include cotton, grape and grain growing. The Capricorn hinterland contains the world's largest sapphire fields. Sunflower Festival (Easter), Gems of Country (music festival) (June), Gemfest (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info: 
Historical Precinct, Harris St consists of Emerald Pioneer Cottage (1880), lock-up gaol (1910), St Marks Church (1884) and a Communications Museum tracing the town written/sound communications history. Botanic Gardens, Nagoa River banks features native displays, a herb garden, maze and bush chapel. Emerald Railway Station, Clermont St. National Trust-classified and one of the area’s finest buildings. Fossilised Wood, outside Town Hall is estimated to be 250 million years old and only discovered in 1979. Van Gogh Sunflower Painting, Clermont St world’s largest copy of this painting set on an easel.

Nearby:
Sapphire Gemfields (west) includes Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows Gemfields with walk-in mines, museums, demonstrations and fossicking parks - license required. Lake Maraboon/Fairbairn Dam (19 km south) popular recreation area for watersports and fishing. Opened in 1972, the dam holds back the water of the lake which covers 150 sq km, making it the largest man-made lake in Australia and when full, it holds more water than Sydney Harbour.

Accommodation:
Emerald has 7 motels, a couple of hotels and a caravan park. Visitor Information Centre: Clermont St. Tel (07) 4982 4142.