Mount Morgan Qld 4714 (Pop 2 100)

Mount Morgan is a charming historic Capricorn mining town 663 km n-w of Brisbane. Sitting on the Burnett Hwy and Dee River just 40 km south of bustling Rockhamption, Mt Morgan was established as a gold mining town in 1880s. What was once reputed to have been the world’s largest gold mountain is today the Southern Hemisphere’s largest excavation. Mining ceased a decade after it began although extraction of gold tailings still continues. Tourism forms an important part of the local economy now with numerous unusual heritage buildings, an excellent museum and mine tours. Golden Mount Festival (May).

Accommodation: Mount Morgan has half a dozen hotels/motels and a couple of caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Heritage Railway Station, 1 Railway Pde. Tel (07) 4938 2312.