A short drive from Townsville is what was once Australia’s richest town, whose fascinating past and shining present have allowed it to remain wealthy in all the ways that matter. Charters Towers is truly gold mine of views and activities for the whole family to experience.
This charming outback town is the wild west personified, with its heritage buildings and historical structures that tell vivid stories of yesteryear. Its origins as a gold rush town mean you can find a pub or watering hole on every corner, so fear not if you’re not a history buff!
For a journey to the past that anyone can enjoy, revisit the days of gold mining at the charming miners cottage. Discover the lives of some of the regions first 19th century inhabitants and even dive into the period by panning for gold yourself! Try your luck at finding the shiny nuggets and see if you would’ve made the cut back in the 1800s.
Meander back to the present through the Miners’ Memorial Walk. This peaceful pathway tells the tales of miners’ resilience and perseverance through the information panels dotted along the walk. If you climb up the boardwalk you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of a historic mineshaft!
Still thirsty for knowledge? Pay the aptly-named Wall of History a visit. A larger-than-life masterpiece at 5m tall and 80m long, this colourful mosaic illustrates every chapter of the town’s life, bringing each moment to life, both through stunning paintings and real-life photos.
If you’re missing nature, you can’t miss Towers Hill, Charters Towers’ most breathtaking landmark. This majestic structure invites visitors to uncover hidden treasures and tales as they ascend to panoramic vistas perfect for those Insta shots. Even better, you can wind along its trails amidst the Aussie bush, keeping an eye out for bouncing kangaroos and lively birds to add excitement to your journey. You can even bring a picnic with you and make a day of it!
Animal lovers can get even more of a fix and admire majestic Texas Longhorns thanks to Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours and Safaris. In fact, a local Longhorn, JR, held the Guinness World Record for longest horns from 2013 until he sadly passed away in 2020. Who knows, you might get lucky and find his successor!
After a long day of adventuring, you may find yourself feeling peckish, or simply wanting to put your feet up somewhere. There’s nowhere better than Thorpe’s Building Heritage Tea Room & Treasures and the Railway Hotel at nearby Ravenswood! Thorpe’s is home to the most captivating treasure and antiques, which will allow you to bring a piece of the past home with you. The Railway Hotel, on the other hand offers a welcoming ambiance and cosy décor so you can unwind with a cold drink and soak in the vintage charm.
Or, for more modern — although still retro — fun, you can pay a visit to The Tors Drive-In, which screens everything from upcoming blockbusters like Anaconda, to family-friendly flicks like Zootopia 2 and blasts from the past such as George of the Jungle!
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Charters Towers is to fly to Townsville, which takes about 2 hours, then driving for a little over an hour to your final destination.