2 minute read
Capricorn Way
Rockhampton offers much more that its status as the beef capital of Australia might suggest.
For example, only 30 minutes away is Mount Hay where the tourist gemstone park is famous for its ‘thunder eggs’. Or there’s Mount Archer, which offers a panoramic view of the town. Or just a little to the south, Mount Morgan is the site of the goldfields of the 1880s and 1890s.
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Just north of the town are the Capricorn Caves with their limestone formations. Duaringa is a little more than a 1-hour drive from ’Rocky’ as it’s known. Head west to Dingo with access to the sandstone wonders of the Blackdown Tableland National Park. Further along the way is Blackwater, site of one of the largest flag displays in the world, each one representing the country of origin of the 37 nationalities that first worked the region’s coal industry.
Next is Emerald, where you can visit the National Trust-listed Emerald Railway Station, then make the short drive south to picturesque Lake Maraboon.
As you travel west from Emerald, you can take a detour to see the sapphire fields around the towns of Sapphire and Anakie, and try your luck at fossicking. Next comes the town of Alpha, best known as the town of murals.
And finally you reach Barcaldine, at the junction of the Capricorn and Matilda Ways, famous for its Tree of Knowledge memorial commemorating the Great Shearers Strike of 1891.
Central Highlands Must Do’s
Looking for a unique Queensland experience? Look no further than The Central Highlands, home to some hidden gems! Here’s our top 4 Must Do’s in this region.
1. Explore Carnarvon Gorge You may have heard of Carnarvon Gorge, but did you know it’s a winding course carved into sandstone over millions of years? Carnarvon Gorge is the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the rugged wilderness, discover ancient Aboriginal rock art, join a guided tour or even camp in the National Park!
2. Sapphire Gemfields Go a little gem crazy when you visit Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows Gemfields. We recommend putting your skills to test digging for sapphires and zircons. There are fossicking parks available where visitors can start searching straight away. If you’re after some serious sapphire hunting, you can purchase a fossicker’s permit and dig for a fortune in designated areas!
3. Lake Maraboon Take the family for a day trip to Lake Maraboon or Fairbairn Dam where the lake is home to eight different fish species, perfect for fishing, red crayfish and boating access. Remember a fishing permit is required from Central Highlands Visitor Information Centre, Emerald. Accommodation providers are close by for an overnight pitstop or holiday.
4. Emerald Botanic Gardens Take time out from your fossicking adventures and escape the heat at the Emerald Botanic Gardens. This 42-hectare tropical oasis is the perfect stop for a family picnic or leisurely stroll through rose gardens, sculptures and rainforests. Be sure to check out the ‘big sunflower’, a 25 metre high Van Gogh sunflower painting superstructure on an easel, you literally
