130km inland from Townsville, Charters Towers is one of Queenslands most accessible outback destinations. Founded in 1871 after the discovery of a gold nugget, Charters Towers was established for a place for prospectors to find their fortune in gold the fields. Over the next 36 years, they turned up over 200 tonnes of gold. Today, although the rush has run its course, Charters Towers still remains a true Aussie outback. We thought there would be a lot to see in Charters but not locally. All we did was the Weir park, old buildings in town and going up Towers Hill. There were more places of interest but they were long distance out of town and we didn’t want all that extra travelling.
This morning we went out to Lake Weir Park where the Burdekin River flows out 80km south of Townsville. it is the fourth largest Australian river by volume flow. Most of the flow is from the tropical wet season rains and can vary from 200mm to over 1600mm per year. The trees in the foreground show how powerful the water can flow when it comes up higher as they have quite a lean on them.
Close up on the flow. Would love to see it in the wet season. It would look amazing.
This end rather than flowing over its going through.
Back in town now. Looking down the main Street of Charters Towers.
Starting our walk down the main road. Will pick out some of the old buildings.
This one had 1889 in the top arch so I presume they will all be around that time. As gold was discovered in the area in 1870’s
City Hall with the Information Centre on the left. Quaint small building. A lot bigger inside than it looks.
Closer look at the Info centre.
Post Office. The clock chimed for us.
Three photos above, the old Ambulance Museum. Took photo early morning so no sun on the building and it was closed. During the day they pull the car (took photo through the window) halfway out of the garage on display but we missed that.
This small building is a fairly typical example of the style of dwelling which were home to Charters Towers Gold miners and their families in the late 1800’s.
Contrast between these two homes. The old run down one.
And the well maintained house.
We have now driven up Towers Hill. Looking out over to Townsville.
The area around Tower Hill is where gold was first discovered in the early 1870’s. A bit of clever smuggling went on. Some of those miners were hiding a bit of gold as they came up from the mines. They tried to stop it, but the miners kept finding new ways to sneak it out. The Hill itself is 750m long, 420m above sea level and about 100m above the town.
Three above all different angles of the view from Charters Hill. Looking down over the Town
Rodger Scholls, who died of a heart attack while attempting to defend his claim”
The miners had to claim their areas and only mine there, but as above others tried to peg over others claims.
The area around Towers Hill was dotted with mines. Driving back to half way down the Hill we parked again to see these Bunkers.
These Bunkers were build into the side of Charters Hill during WW2 and the various forces stowed armour inside. We were told that The Japanese knew that the armour was within these bunkers & their planes could fly to Charters but didn’t have enough fuel to return to their aircraft carriers.
Inside the bunker above
Another Bunker
Continuing driving down the Hill I could see this Bunker tucked into the Hills. We think there were a few others hiding away that we didn’t see.
After we had finished exploring up the Hill we went to find a local Butcher Shop. Thought we would like to taste fresh Butchers meat. Nice to see a real butcher shop seeing all the meat all laid out in front of you like they used to do.
Last night at Charters Towers PT relaxing in his camper chair.
Looking out of the back window of our motorhome over the fields.
Leaving Charters tomorrow and heading south.
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