Capricorn Tourist Information
Capricorn Tourist Information
Central Highlands
Central Queensland is a gem of a place in more ways than one. There are few parts of Australia where the names of the towns so reflect their character as in the Central Highlands and Gemfields. Emerald, Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and The Willows - if you don't strike it rich here, you'll have a good time trying. Emerald is located 263kms west of Rockhampton and is the hub of the Central Highlands, offering great shopping, first-class accommodation and restaurants. Local sights include the beautiful Botanic Gardens, the restored Railway Station and the modern Art Gallery and Library.
Emerald annually hosts the Easter Sunflower Festival, Agrow in July and the Country Music Spectacular in October. The region becomes a hive of activity with thousands attracted to Gemfest, held every August and the Wheelbarrow Derby, held biennially in June. On the Gemfields you will find the largest sapphire fields in the southern hemisphere and fossicking licences are readily available.
If you'd rather not feel the sun on your back, then why not opt for one of the walk-in mine tours at Rubyvale's Miners' Heritage Walk-in Mine (one of Australia's largest underground sapphire mines) or at the Bobby Dazzler Walk-in Mine, which includes a fascinating museum. You can do more buying at the Miner's Cottage Gem and Fossick Park in Rubyvale. At Rubyvale Gem Gallery and 4WD Safari Tours you can take a tour of the gemfields, do a little shopping at the Gallery and enjoy a devonshire tea. Still in Rubyvale, Capricornia Gems and Crafts offers high quality sapphires, zircons and other gems, which are cut and polished on the premises.
Recreational actvities that can be arranged by Leichhardt Tours include horse treks and 4WD tours of the Central Highlands. The wealth of the Central Highlands is not only in its Gemfields. The area abounds in history and there are many historical sites well worth a visit. These include the Capella Pioneer Village, and the historic township of Clermont. The picturesque Hood's Lagoon, with its Memorial Walkway honouring Mary Mckillop, is a peaceful interlude. Visitors to Springsure, 63kms south of Emerald, will first notice the district's unspoiled scenery and old Rainworth Fort, with its colourful and bloodthirsty past, is an historian's delight.
Half an hour from Emerald is Lake Maraboon/Fairbairn Dam. A delightful picnic spot and, at more than three times the size of Sydney Harbour, a great place to enjoy water sports and fishing. The Central Highlands is famous for Carnarvon National Park which is characterised by a deep sandstone gorge, draped in lush green palms and ferns. Hidden away on the sandstone cliff faces are a number of sacred Aboriginal art sites. Visitors may camp in the park or stay in the comfort of a cabin at Oasis Lodge.
The western boundary of the Central Highlands includes the townships of Alpha and Jericho. Alpha's striking street murals and art gallery are a popular tourist attraction, whilst Jericho takes pride in the Crystal Trumpeters, a prominent feature of the main street.
The grandeur of the Central Highlands and the Gemfields can only be experienced by visiting them.Take the time - you'll be surprised at what you might dig up!
