ABOUT CHARTERS TOWERS

A sense of heritage is an integral part of the inland city of Charters Towers.

In fact, the city has such a depth of Australian history that most visitors make sure at least part of their visit is spent admiring heritage buildings like the City Hall, Post Office, Stock Exchange Building, the Zara Clark Museum and theWorld Theatre.

History tours are very popular too. People can take a town tour or a walking tour. It's a great way to soak in the city's atmosphere.

Around the area you can visit the historic towns of Pentland, Homestead and Ravenswood, picnic at picturesque Fletcher Creek, bushwalk in White Mountains National Park and enjoy the mighty Burdekin River Dam and Weir, where you can try your luck fishing for a barramundi or just enjoy boating and picnicking.

Lissner, Defiance Mill and Centenary Parks are ideal for a picnic or a shady, leisurely stroll whilst out and about enjoying our city. Lissner Park comprises of 7 acres with Band Rotunda, playground, Rotary Centenary Fountain, Federation Fountain, duck pond, WW1 guns and memorials which are lit up at night for perfect evening picnics. Next to Lissner Park is the swimming pool complex. Defiance Mill Park is a newer park catering to older children with a skate bowl and bike areas. Currently 40% of the towns treated waste water is used for the watering of parks and sporting fields.

History tours are very popular too. People can take a town tour or a walking tour. It's a great way to soak in the city's atmosphere. So many choices for day trips which include:

GHOSTS - The Venus Battery Located on the outskirts of town, the battery offers an insight into an amazing real-life gold rush in the late 19th century. Constructed in 1872, it was a public mill and became a State battery in 1919, finally ceasing commercial operation in 1973. The spectacular water screen is not to be missed, see the interactive characters telling the stories of how the battery worked and of their lives and events at Charters Towers

GRANDEUR- One Square Mile The elegance and grandeur of our city heart is truly awe-inspiring. The one square mile precinct of magnificent civic buildings of the gold rush era, including the Stock Exchange Arcade, World Theatre and Charters Towers Post Office, is easily explored on foot

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GOLD- Towers Hill It was here where gold was first discovered in 1871, by an aboriginal boy named Jupiter. Interpretative displays at the Lookout explain the colourful past and spectacular scenery of Charters Towers. It is a wonderful spot to enjoy an early morning walk (look out for the local wildlife) or a sundowner at sunset. Towers Hill comes to life at night with a film screened in the amphitheatre under the stars- and the ghosts of the past have a starring role.

GREED- Stock Exchange Built in 1888, the Royal Arcade housed the Charters Towers Stock Exchange, one of Australia's few regional stock exchanges. It was hooked into the world by telegraph with 3 calls a day, 5 days a week. Don't miss "the calling of the card", a ghostly reminder of golden days when just a touch of greed echoed in these stately walls

World Theatre Explore this cultural complex where the unique blend of heritage architecture and state of the art technology meet. Check for details of live shows, movie times, morning melodies and free local and touring exhibitions of art, sculpture and photography.

Zara Clark Folk Museum Ask for a demonstration of the flying fox (the Lampson Aerial Cash System) at this National Trust owned and run museum where you will hear special stories from the volunteers and see a large collection of memorabilia, photographs and equipment that reflects Charters Towers golden past.

Excelsior Library This is the home of the Charters Towers and Dalrymple Archive Group who are an active group continually gathering and uncovering the golden past of our city. If you have stories to share or need a mystery solved, this is the palce to visit. The Library is also home to the Excelsior Brass Band, who play at numerous civic events, and the beginnings of the city's art collection.

Miners Cottage

This refurbished cottage offers a step back in time with mini museum and tea rooms. The cottage is refurbished and decorated to show how the house would have looked at the start of the 20th century.

Pioneer Cemetery Here you will find graves of those buried from 1872 to 1895, giving an insight into the hardships our pioneers endured. The newer Charters Towers cemetery, established in 1895, is the resting place for many interesting characters. A booklet is available on site.

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Burdekin Weir Our liquid gold-water- is pumped from the weir on the mighty Burdekin River. From your picnic table, watch the pelicans fish for yabbies. If you'd prefer to fish yourself, turn off to the left before the picnic area to the Burdekin Water Park.