Charters Towers Gold Rush

OVERVIEW

Head across the mountains and into the Outback to tour a heritage gold rush town that still shines with boom-time grandeur. It all started in 1871 after three itinerant prospectors struck gold here in Charters Towers. Over the next 40 years, some 7,000,000 ounces were extracted from this dry scrubland and a suitably glistening city emerged, home to 30,000 residents at the rush’s peak. A magnificent stock exchange building went up, along with grand hotels, banks and other buildings of the era still in use today. It’s a fabulous place for getting an in-person sense of what boom time life must have been like. Aside from exploring the swank town that nuggets built, you’ll also tour a more rustic venue – the Venus Battery Mill, sole survivor of the 25 reducing mills that prospered here at the end of the 19th century. Gold is still being found in the area, but the richest veins have long been worked out. So modern, mechanized methods are required to tease it out – a far cry from the classic pick and shovel days and steam-driven ore processing of old. A casual café lunch and afternoon sightseeing round out this intriguing day.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Journey by coach to a gold-rush mecca in the Outback beyond Townsville’s western mountains.
• Experience the enduring boomtime grandeur of Charters Towers, where some 7 million ounces came out of the ground between 1871 and 1911.
• Explore the shining town landmarks, and visit the crusty old Venus Battery Mill, where a local guide will share colorful tales of the olden, golden days.
• Enjoy casual lunch at a local café and spend the afternoon soaking up more of the local atmosphere.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes with a closed toe are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.