Charters Towers region
Incorporating the communities of Charters Towers ‘The World’, Ravenswood, Mingela, Balfes Creek, Homestead, Pentland, Belyando Crossing, Bluewater Springs, Greenvale, Hidden Valley & Hervey Range Community
CHARTERS TOWERS ‘THE WORLD’ Population 9,000
RAVENSWOOD
Population 350
The town of Ravenswood is listed by the National Trust and is located one hour’s drive east of Charters Towers. Situated just 90 minutes south west of Townsville, ‘The World’, as it’s affectionately known, is a scenic gold mining city that’s big on history and character. From a chance discovery of gold in 1872 by a young Aboriginal horse boy, Charters Towers soon turned into a bustling metropolis, which in its heyday boasted being the second largest city in Queensland! So large was Charters Towers to become, that at the height of the gold rush the town included 11 crushing mills, 65 hotels and one of the very first regional Stock Exchanges in Australia, which still stands proudly at the intersection of Gill and Mosman Streets. Today the pace is a little less hectic, with visitors able to explore the rich heritage of Charters Towers in their own time. From a quick stop over to a charming day trip or a leisurely couple of days taking in the sights, Charters Towers offers something for every visitor and every interest. Of course your first stop should be the Visitor Information Centre on Mosman Street, housed in what was once the Union Bank, built in 1880, and staffed with local volunteers who are more than happy to point you towards sights of interest and help with accommodation ranging from hotels to motels, caravan parks and budget accommodation. Although mining continues to be an important part of life in Charters Towers, the old fashioned crushers have long laid silent. But links to the glory days of mining can still be explored by joining the ghosts of gold Heritage Trail, which includes a trip to Australia’s largest surviving battery relic, the Venus Gold Battery. But not all of Charters Towers’ past is golden. Once a significant allied military base in World War II, a drive up Towers Hill plays testament to this with some 30 concrete bunkers dotted throughout the surrounding hills still visible to this day. A look at the City Hall World War II photographic display and the incredible collection of military memorabilia at the Zara Clark Museum is a must. And a trip to the Burdekin Weir shows where target shooting with the planes took place. There is also a lot to offer visitors a little further out of town. An area spanning the size of Tasmania, this hive of agricultural activity gives visitors the chance to discover the rural side of life in the outback. Stay on a working cattle station or visit the weekly cattle sales at the Dalrymple Cattle Sale Yards. An easy way to explore this vast area is to take yourself on a self-guided drive. Ask for more detailed information at the Visitor Information Centre.
Step back in time and explore the unique aspects of this heritage listed gold mining town. The gold rush was on in 1868 when two discoveries were made, one by Marmaduke Curr, a cattle station owner and the other by stockman Thomas Aitken. The town of Ravenswood was born and along with it many public buildings were hurriedly erected to take advantage of the newly found riches of the gold miners. Forty eight hotels and shanties served to quench the thirst of the miners. Today two hotels remain as magnificent examples of the prosperity of this town’s wealthy beginnings. The town boasts excellent facilities including a tennis court, golf course, BBQ and picnic area near the Showgrounds Caravan Park. The historic Court House Museum is open daily. The museum volunteer is always keen to share stories of the golden days of Ravenswood. There are a number of self-guided walks so don’t forget to get your map from the Museum before you set off exploring the old chimney stacks, mullock heaps, School of Arts Hall, the old church on the hill, the cemetery and more. A little further down the road White Blow Environmental Park (5km from the town centre) features a large white quartz rock outcrop that dates back some 300 million years.
MINGELA
Population 20
Drop into the Mingela Hotel, a quintessential outback pub, complete with guinea fowl and peacocks. You will need to turn into Mingela to continue your drive to Ravenswood and the Burdekin Falls Dam.
BALFES CREEK
Population 16
There must be something in the icy cold drinks at the local pub as there is many a story of visitors sighting camels, ostriches, goats and sheep, even after one drink!
HOMESTEAD
Population 100
Gold was discovered to the north of Homestead in 1883 and was mined intermittently for the next 50 years. Two hotels, two butcher shops, two stores, a bank and a cordial factory were part of the town during the railway era. Today you can see the mural at the school depicting local history. Admire the early Australian domestic architecture. Visit the historic Town Hall with its Roll of Honour.
PENTLAND
Population 300
Gold was discovered on the nearby Cape River in 1867 and attracted European and Chinese gold miners. Between Pentland and Torrens Creek is the Burra Range Lookout. Look for the wildflowers and wattle flowering in spring. Local arts and crafts available at the Pentland Art Gallery. Enjoy a dip in the town pool. Tennis, golf and cricket available at the Pentland Sports Association and birdwatchers should visit the wetlands behind the town.
BELYANDO CROSSING
Population 5
Located 220km south of Charters Towers on the A7 (Gregory Developmental Road). The roadhouse is located at Belyando Crossing and offers a shady picnic area to customers passing through. Fish for redclaw in the local creeks. Camp the night and marvel at the stars. Visit the historic grave site. Nearby Lake Buchanan is a large, flat salt lake.
BLUEWATER SPRINGS
Population 2
Located 110km NE of Charters Towers on the Lynd Highway the nice shady garden at Bluewater Springs Roadhouse is the perfect place to stop for a coffee.
GREENVALE
Population 300
Greenvale is a nickel mining settlement located on the banks of the Burdekin River approximately 200km north of Charters Towers on the Gregory Developmental Road. The Three Rivers Hotel, made famous by Slim Dusty in a song of the same name, is located at Greenvale, although the original was no more than a tin shed on the banks of the river. There is also a 9 hole golf course. Birdwatching abounds. Fossicking for gems is permitted with a licence and land owners’ permission to enter.
HIDDEN VALLEY
Population 20
Accessed via Hervey’s Range Road north of the Towers, Hidden Valley is located in the Paluma Ranges. While you’re in the area, take a walk to Running River and watch the platypus play, see the wallabies grazing and spot some very interesting birds.
HERVEY RANGE COMMUNITY Population 445 Take a coffee break with a difference at the oldest known building in North Queensland. This historic split log inn was the stopping place for bullock teams and Cobb & Co Coaches.
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