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Charters Towers - Cities, Towns and Localities |
The outback surrounded us, as we travelled the bitumen road into it’s shimmering
distance. Passed the open cut mines and the Dancing Companions (brolgas), dead
grass giving way to red soil and the occasional eucalypt. Brown mounds appeared
and rushed passed, mounds we try to avoid running over, because the stench of
rotting flesh can wrap itself around the wheels and seep it’s way into the
vehicle. A memorable sickly smell, that clings for hours after.
Suddenly, in the distance we see a huge black shape crouched on
the road. Our eyes adjust to the heat haze, shimmering into the image ahead. The
road rushes under our wheels as we get closer, then realisation that it was
feeding on a road kill; but still you can’t quite make it out. It looks like a
giant black beast. Then when you are practically upon it, it takes shape and
spreads it’s huge wings, giving you one last look, before it flies off. We were
awed.
(enroute to Charters Towers)
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When a young aboriginal boy discovered gold at the foot of Towers Hill in
December 1871, little did he know that his find would lead Charters Towers to be
the second largest city at the turn of the 20th century. “The World”, noted
during this time as a place where any one’s desire may be found, is hard to
imagine the city buzzing with the activity of our 30,000 hopeful souls. In its
heyday, Charters Towers produced over 6mn oz ($25mn) of precious metal and now
it remains proud of its golden heritage and is a fascinating example of a
quintessential thriving outback town. Given the depth of its history, as well as
its sheer friendliness, by far the best way to experience Charters Towers is to
pop into the Visitor Information Centre.
 Charters Towers is located 90 minutes drive south-west of Townsville. The city
is rightfully proud of its gold mining heritage and has developed the ghosts of
gold Heritage Trail, which brings to life the city’s stories, legends, hard
evidence of incredible feats, epic events in history, rich landscapes, colourful
tales and characters to keep visitors enthralled.
Charters Towers is also home to the largest amateur Country Music Festival in
Australia (May Day Weekend) and the Goldfield Ashes, which is the largest
amateur cricket carnival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Some of the
natural attractions include Red Falls*, Great Basalt Wall*, Big Bend, Echo
Hole, Anabranch, Lake Buchanan, Hidden Valley and much more.
Source: Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre Check out our listing of
Charters
Towers accommodation. In addition to our listed online travel guide information,
contact the local tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions,
tours, local maps and other information. |
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* There is currently no access to the Red Falls and the Great Basalt Wall National
Park, and as such is currently unavailable as an attraction.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service are looking at alternatives
for access. When known, details will be published here. |
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Mosman Street © Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre |
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 Great Basalt Wall National
Park*
• The park is a haven for many birds and animals, a large
colony of flying foxes inhabit the park and sweep out from their
roosts each night to forage for fruit and nectar giving trees.
The park protects 35,200 ha of land containing the Great Basalt Wall, a
geological formation of the Toomba basalt flow. The park boundaries are
surrounded by freehold or leasehold properties, through which access is not
permitted. The park is currently not accessible to the public.
For current information visit the Queensland National Parks website for
Great Basalt Wall National Park.
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Stock Exchange
• Charters Towers focal point was once the Stock Exchange, built in 1887 as the
Royal Arcade and converted into a stock exchange in 1890. Once the only stock
exchange in Australia with three calls a day, it ceased in late 1910’s with the
building left to decay until the National Trust purchased the building in the
early 1970s and restored it as an arcade of shops. The glass roofed arcades were
a form of building that was popular in Europe at the close of the 19th century
(Blackheath & Thornburgh College).
White Mountains National Park
• Rugged and remote
wilderness park between Charters Towers and Hughenden.
Spectacular sandstone bluffs and gorges. Wildflower display
in the heaths late winter/early spring. Northern section
inaccessible. Access to south-east corner from Flinders
Highway. For self-sufficient visitors and experienced
walkers. Bushwalkers must register with the Ranger. Camping permitted must be
booked in advance.
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Charters Towers Events
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• Queensland Events |
Charters Towers Country Music Festival
• First week in
May
• Thousands of country music fans and performers from throughout Australia
and overseas flocks to this annual event with $30,000 in prize money
being offered.
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Charters Towers Restorers Annual
Swap Meet and Motor Show
• Charters Towers Restorer’s Club • PO Box 847, CHARTERS TOWERS QLD 4820 •
• June
• Annual meet event that opens to the public with its huge range
of vintage cars and old machinery. The yearly show has markets, novelty
events and a car show.
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Charters Towers Show
•
August
• Come and see what the country is all about with our ‘country
show’. There is a large beef cattle section, equestrian events, displays
from our schools and community groups, arts and crafts, fruit and
vegetables, poultry, pigeons, cooking and plants.
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Charters Towers Amateur Races
• October
• Annual event held every Caulfield Cup Day at the Charters
Towers Race Track.
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Christmas Fair
• Gill Street, CHARTERS TOWERS
• December
• Every year the hustle and bustle of the festive season
comes to Gill Street where visitors can browse the local art and craft,
street entertainers and food stalls.
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Showgrounds Markets
• Showgrounds, CHARTERS TOWERS QLD 4820 • Ph: 07 4787 7292 • Fax: 07 4787 3652
• Held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, except in June, when it is held on the
4th Sunday.
• Held in the showgrounds, this monthly
market brings together a range of local and district products including craft,
jewellery, produce, home cooking, books, plants and much more. Featuring more
than 40 stalls, that include food, coffee/tea and cold drinks.
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Charters Towers
City Council
• This city is outstanding among Queensland towns
for its historic character and appeal and for its collections of
19th and early 20th century buildings and streetscapes. Charters
Towers, once dubbed “The World” due to its cosmopolitan nature,
today boasts many modern facilities including a magnificent theatre
hosting live performances and two cinemas, great restaurants, a
range of tours and accommodation options.
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