Charters Towers & RavenswoodStep back in time to an era where the heritage buildings reflect the richness uncovered in the gold fields at the turn of the twentieth century. Charters Towers was once the second largest city in Queensland and is still thriving today.This lively city was home to one of the first few regional Stock Exchanges in Australia.
Of particular interest in Charters Towers is the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail. It delves into the city’s historic gold rush, with stories and legendary tales of life on the goldfields. Fascinating events in history that date back to the late 19th and early 20th century are also revived. Why not start the trail at the Visitor Information Centre, where you can take a virtual tour of the city on the touchscreen or watch the orientation film explaining how ‘The World’ came to Charters Towers following the discovery of gold. The Stock Exchange Arcade echoes loud and clear with the Calling of the Card, a reminder of the hustle and bustle of trading gold mining shares. The history of the building is displayed on factual storyboards placed throughout the arcade and the Assay Room is open for viewing historic images, mining equipment and the very gold mining shares they traded for.
If you haven’t yet discovered the thrill of gold fever, on the outskirts of town the Venus Gold Battery will surely give your heart a flutter. It is the largest surviving battery relic in Australia and processed 15.5 ton of gold during its 100 year working life. This is a fully guided tour, which allows you to see the story of how the mill operated and how the battery’s equipment was used to extract the gold from the ore. Come and meet the ghost of Mr E.H.T Plant, who built the battery in 1872. For those wishing to check out the panoramic view of the city, you can walk or drive to the top of Towers Hill. There are breathtaking views, a refreshing breeze and amazing sunsets from the top of the lookout. Mining shafts and WWII bunkers litter the site and in the evening, you might just meet some local ghosts as they appear in the Ghosts after Dark film, screening in the open-air amphitheatre.
The city’s charming character can be seen especially within walking distance of the One Square Mile. These streetscapes and fully restored heritage buildings, together with classic attractions make Charters Towers a worthwhile experience. There are many appealing attractions that reflect life on the goldfields and uncover the sometimes forgotten past. One such home is the Ay Ot Lookout, located on Hodgkinson Street, which is a stunning example of a home with an intriguing past. The Zara Clark Museum, has photographic displays and memorabilia for those not old enough to remember the good ol’ days. The Civic Club once a men’s only domain is open to all and the Historic Ambulance Centre, which was the second ambulance station built outside of Brisbane and is well worth a look. Rest assured, Charters Towers also has many modern facilities, such as a magnificent theatre hosting live performances and two cinemas; great restaurants and caf? dining, a drive-in cinema, a unique range of tours and a wide choice of accommodation establishments.
Around 130 kilometres south-west of Townsville lies the town of Ravenswood. The old gold mining settlement, tucked away amongst the rolling hills, is a living tribute to the history and heritage of western Queensland. Mullock heaps, tall chimneys, poppet heads and discarded mine machinery pepper the countryside, reminiscent of the town's century-old glory days. Take the time to stop and poke around because there's more to this historic town of Ravenswood than first impressions might suggest.
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