Central Queensland Highlands Touring Map 2021-22

chat to a Local

a hand planning your Central Queensland Highlands adventure? Call into one of the Visitor Information Centres to chat with our passionate locals for tips on must see attractions, tours and events.

a map to navigate your way around, or a brochure

spark ideas for your

You didn’t come to the Central Queensland Highlands to be bound by a schedule, timeframes and itinerary coordinated to the nth degree, did you? You came here for autonomous discovery, to charter your own adventure and spend as little or as much time as you want doing as much or little as you want (don’t worry, we don’t judge).

Our affordability means you can spend more time with us than you might otherwise do on the coast and our temperate climate encourages you to stay and play a little while. When there’s more to explore, you’re in the driving seat to new adventure. Where will you go today? You’re not sure, but you know it won’t be boring.

Getting here

A classic road trip is one of the best ways to experience the wide-open spaces of the Central Queensland Highlands. Navigating is easy with two major highways running eastwest (Capricorn Highway) and north-south (Gregory Highway).

You can fly from Brisbane to Emerald in one and a half hours, or watch the scenery go by on one of the rail or coach services. Once you arrive there are hire cars ready to begin your self-drive adventure.

Cover: Divide Fossicking Area, Rubyvale, Jesse Lindemann.

Photo Credit: Jesse Lindemann, Nathan White.

Disclaimer: This publication is produced by Central Highlands Development Corporation. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate and correct, however the Corporation cannot be held responsible for any errors, changes or omissions.

z Spot a shy platypus cruising on the surface of Carnarvon Creek.

z Be spellbound by the Indigenous engravings, ochre stencils and freehand paintings along the walls of the Carnarvon Gorge Art Gallery.

z Enhance your Carnarvon Gorge adventure with a guided walking tour or scenic helicopter flight.

z Take an early morning walk to Mook Mook Lookout, Blackdown Tableland NP, and watch the sandstone cliffs change colour as the sun rises.

z Brave the 240-stair descent deep into Gudda Gumoo Gorge, Blackdown Tableland NP, and cool off in the rock pool below.

z Enjoy a picnic at Fred’s Gorge, Minerva Hills NP, admiring the views from mountain top to plain.

z Bush camp beneath the stars on the banks of Lake Nuga Nuga.

z Commence your journey at the CQH Visitor Information Centre, located in a building made of 300 bales of barley straw.

z Be dwarfed by the 25-metre-high replica Van Gogh Sunflower painting in Morton Park.

z See Emerald’s history laid out as colourful mosaics on the Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway.

z Take a stroll or ride your bike along the six kilometres of walking tracks at the Emerald Botanic Gardens.

z Kids and the young at heart will enjoy the playgrounds, BMX and skate parks, aquatic centre, science centre and cinemas.

z Grab a picnic and head to Lake Maraboon to watch the sun set over the water.

z Step into another world on an underground mine tour and see how the pioneers mined for sapphires.

z Treat yourself with a piece of Australianmined and cut sapphire jewellery from one of the gem shops and galleries.

z Get in touch with nature as you walk through 14 hectares of pristine bushland and seasonal, freshwater wetlands at the Sapphire Gemfields Wetland Reserve.

z Follow the Sapphire Gemfields Treasure Trail, stopping at interpretive panels and place markers to learn about the characters, capers and history of the region.

three ways to fossick

1. Buy a licence, hire the equipment and head to one of the designated fossicking areas.

2. Take a tag along fossicking tour and let an experienced miner guide you.

3. Visit a fossicking park where the digging work is already done.

Lake Maraboon, Bedford Weir, Bingegang Weir and local rivers (Dawson, Mackenzie, Comet and Nogoa).

what to fish

z For those wanting a truly unique freshwater fishing experience, the Saratoga is a highly intelligent and aggressive sportsfish.

z Reel in one of the popular catches including Barramundi, Yellowbelly, Silver Perch and Sleepy Cod.

z Throw in a pot to catch some Red Claw, a freshwater crayfish and local delicacy.

Central Queensland

regional

Central Highlands Easter Sunflower Festival

Capella Country Music Festival, May

Gemfields Rocks Music Festival, May

Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days, June

Beer & BBQ Festival, August

Gemfields Festival, August

World Dingo Trap Throwing

August

Capella Pioneer Village Heritage Day, September

Emerald 100 Race Day,

z Hear stories about the Kairi and Bidjara people, and view an indigenous crypt at Yumba Burin (Keeping Place), Springsure.

z Get a feel for life in the 1860s by visiting the beautifully restored Peak Downs homestead at Capella Pioneer Village.

z Immerse yourself in the treasure trove of historical sites around Springsure including Rainworth Fort and the Wills Memorial site.

z Take the self-guided heritage walks in Duaringa, Comet, Springsure and Rolleston to learn about the historic buildings and sites that shaped the towns.

z Learn about the past, present and future of mining at the Blackwater International Coal Centre.

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands across the Central Queensland Highlands and respect the Elders - past and present - for they hold the stories about the rivers and mountains, the traditions, the cultures and hopes of Australia’s First Nation Peoples.

Carnarvon Gorge

DRiVE TRAILS

arcadia Explorer

Rolleston - Lake Nuga Nuga - Arcadia Valley – Rolleston

195 km

Enjoy a relaxing drive through farm and grazing land on your way to Lake Nuga Nuga. Stop for a picnic, watch the birdlife and enjoy the serenity of the lake. Continue through Arcadia Valley with scenic views of the Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges. Note: dry weather only.

blackdown beauty

110 km

Blackwater – Bluff – Blackdown Tableland NP – Blackwater

Follow the winding ascent to Blackdown Tableland NP, with scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Go for a bushwalk to discover the park’s heritage, tumbling creeks and unusual plants. Note: this drive is not suitable for caravans and trailers. 4WD recommended.

Central highlands mining trail

215 km

Clermont – Capella – Lilyvale – Emerald – Blackwater – Bluff

Follow the Central Highlands Mining Trail to learn about the history, process and characters of the local coal mining industry. Some mines can be seen from the road, including large machinery, overburden removal and operations.

maraboon h20

Emerald – Fairbairn Dam – Lake Maraboon – Emerald

55 km

This trail takes you through the Emerald irrigation area, including cotton farms, table grape vineyards and citrus orchards. Journey over the 820-metre-long Fairbairn Dam wall to Lake Maraboon. Enjoy stunning views of the lake, spillway and surrounding area from the lookout.

minerva discovery Loop

Springsure - Minerva Hills NP – Springsure

95 km

Take in the natural beauty and panoramic views of Minerva Hills National Park. Wander along Skyline Lookout for close-up views of Virgin Rock standing sentinel over Springsure below. Call into the Wills Memorial Site before continuing back to Springsure past the Minerva open-cut coal mine. Note: 4WD recommended and dry weather only.

path of pioneers

Emerald – Lilyvale – Capella - Sapphire Gemfields

170 km

Dip into the region’s history, stopping at the historic town of Lilyvale and the Capella Pioneer Village. Continue to the Sapphire Gemfields to explore its array of gem shops, galleries and jewellers. Follow the Sapphire Gemfields Treasure Trail to learn about the characters, capers and history of the fields.

awd routes

Unhook the van and get off the beaten track on these local backroads. For detailed instructions call into a local Visitor Information Centre. 4WD is recommended.

willows way

300 km

This route takes travellers through sapphire fossicking areas, along the top of the Nogoa River, and over a sandstone escarpment with scenic vistas of the surrounding countryside.

ka ka mundi adventure

250 km

Explore the back of Springsure before venturing into the Ka Ka Mundi section of Carnarvon National Park.

bedford backwaters

200 km

Riley's Crossing Road follows the Mackenzie River, with opportunities to stop for a fish or picnic, before coming into Bedford Weir from the north.

4wd routes

Explore the challenging terrain and unexpected beauty of our National Parks through the network of designated 4WD tracks. Some roads may be impassable when wet.

blackdown tableland np

20 km

4WD past amazing sandstone outcrops alive with basket ferns and king orchids. Stop at Mitha Boongulla for panoramic views of the surrounding plains.

Salvator rosa, Carnarvon np

20 km

Follow the rough track to the park’s most outstanding features, including flowing springs and towering sandstone formations.

mount moffatt, carnarvon np

300 km

4WD past The Chimneys, Lots Wife, Marlong Arch and more towering rock formations, or head up through the Mahogany Forest to the head of Carnarvon Creek.

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fairbairn bakery