Uncover history & heritage

you won't need a local library to find the history and heritage of the central queensland highlands. in fact, this region very much wears its history on its sleeve.

indigenous history

Connect with the Central Queensland Highlands region through the eyes of our First Nation People. Spend a day or two exploring the rich cultural heritage sites, traditional artefacts and colourful artworks, which bring to life the ancient ways.

special culture include thousands of years of rock art. Follow the Goon Goon Dhina trail which leads to a Ghungalu art site.

Cultural heritage sites

Start your journey exploring cultural heritage sites at Carnarvon and Blackdown Tableland National Parks.

Carnarvon National Park is a sacred landscape of intense spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people. They believe that a great number of mythological and spiritual beings resided in certain areas or were metamorphosed as particular features of the landscape. Visit art sites, including the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave, which provide examples of stencil and engraving techniques that are considered to be the most sophisticated of their kind in the world.

Blackdown Tableland National Park has many culturally significant places and associated objects that tell the story of how the land was used, the histories and the relationship between traditional owners and the environment. Vivid reminders of their

yumba burin

Yumba Burin (Keeping Place), Springsure, aims to raise awareness of the Kairi and Bidjara people's history and to build a better understanding of indigenous culture. The display includes repatriated burial caskets, stone artefacts, scar trees and an art mural. Visit by appointment only, check with the local Visitor Information Centre.

woorabinda arts & Cultural Centre

Opened in 2021 and located at Duaringa, the Woorabinda Arts and Cultural Centre puts a spotlight on emerging indigenous artists. Much more than a gallery, the centre is an avenue and platform for the artists to share their stories. Check for opening times and workshop opportunities.

european history

Turn back the clock and discover stories of the past with every small town you visit. Let locals be your guide and take you on a journey of Central Queensland Highlands discovery.

Springsure

FEDERATION WOOLSHED Photos and antiques line the walls of this historical building which also acts as the information centre. It is open from Easter to October.

HERITAGE WALK Starting at the Federation Woolshed, the walk takes visitors on a journey through the main street, detailing the rich history of its heritage buildings.

VIRGIN ROCK Lions Park is the best vantage point to see Virgin Rock, a niche in the eastern side of Mount Zamia, which has a weathered likeness to the Virgin Mary holding her child. The spectacular cliffs are floodlit at night. YUMBA BURIN (KEEPING PLACE) Situated at the cemetery is an indigenous crypt in which burial caskets and artefacts are stored. Contact the local Visitor Information Centre for opening times.

RAINWORTH FORT COMPLEX includes an original fort building that was built to store food and resist attack. It also includes the relocated Cairdbeign homestead, a school building from the 1800s with a fascinating collection of period pieces and historical artefacts.

WILLS MASSACRE SITE A memorial headstone can be viewed at the site of the 1861 frontier conflict on Cullin La Ringo Road.

STAIRCASE RANGE Named after a sandstone escarpment that has naturally formed in the shape of a staircase. See the Old Wagon Road that was cut into the sandstone by pick and crowbar.

HOSPITAL MUSEUM Built in 1868, the original, heritage-listed Springsure Hospital has been furnished to reflect the yesteryear and houses a collection of medical equipment, photos and records. Contact the the local Visitor Information Centre for access.

LABRADORITE, a feldspar gemstone of iridescent colour, is found in the Springsure area. Fossicking permits are available from the local hardware store.

NATIONAL PARKS Base yourself in Springsure to explore nearby Minerva Hills and Carnarvon National Parks.

federation woolshed information centre

● Open Easter to October 7 days a week ● Local arts and crafts available ● Cold drinks ● Free tea and coffee ● Local information booklet and brochures ● Come in and see our local volunteers

P 07 4984 1961 William Street, Springsure Q 4722

outback tyres

Outback Tyres is a small family owned business in Springsure. We offer fuel and driveway service, tyres – new and repairs, batteries, wheel alignments, mechanical and suspension. Our mobile service van can come to you, it is equipped to fi t and balance tyres on site (bookings required).

P 07 4984 1051 E admin@obtyres.com.au 92 Eclipse Street Springsure Q 4722 outbacktyresspringsure.com.au

capella

CAPELLA PIONEER VILLAGE Explore the Central Queensland Highlands’ agricultural and pastoral history at the Capella Pioneer Village. More than 5,000 items, spread out over 17 buildings, are waiting for you to discover. The village features the 1869 Peak Downs Homestead, Australia’s largest restored drop-plank (no nails) homestead. Check opening times from Easter to October.

AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE MONUMENT

According to local lore, the first time Australian troops wore the now famous emu feathers in their slouch hats was at Peak Downs Station. The locally constructed monument in the Capella Parklands is a striking dedication to the Australian armed forces and the emu plume origins.

POLE MURALS 30 murals depicting Capella’s history are painted on light poles and walls along Peak Downs Street. CAPELLA PARKLANDS Follow the path that winds from the Pioneer Village, past picnic locations and boab trees, to the historic railway station.

CAPELLA CREEK NATURE WALK AREA

Amble along Capella Creek to view more than 120 woodland bird species that call the area home. Examples of the area’s rocks are found in the geo-park near the bridge.

BAKEHOUSE AND OVEN Take a peek at the 95-year-old wood fired oven on display in the main street. It is an important and rare relic with quite the story to tell.

AQUATIC CENTRE Relax at Capella’s ‘beach’, which features five solar-heated pools, gym, squash courts, barbecues, waterslide and café.

CAPELLA CULTURAL CENTRE Catch some great live performances or a latest release movie at the Capella Cultural Centre.

Australian Light Horse Monument, Capella

DRAGLINE BUCKET Get your photo taken in Earth Eater, a 40-tonne dragline bucket that was used to move over 83 million tonnes of overburden at BMA Gregory coal mine. PEAK RANGE LOOKOUT Travel one kilometre south of Capella to the Peak Range Lookout and take in the beauty of ‘The Peaks’; a chain of prominent and picturesque mountains.

capella pioneer village

1869 mortise and tenon Peak Downs homestead, > 5000 objects in 17 buildings, country cinema, vintage farming and mining machinery, Capella life. $15 Adults | $10 Seniors/Students Open Thursday & Sunday between 9am and 1pm. Tour and school group bookings welcome anytime.

P 0427 638 866 E mhburns@bigpond.com 1 Pioneer Street Capella Q 4723 capella.com.au/capella-pioneer-village

capella van park

Capella Van Park is a family owned/managed quiet and spacious country park set amongst trees, providing shaded sites, birdlife and friendly service. ● All concrete slab powered sites ● Grassed unpowered sites ● Walking distance to all town facilities

P 07 4984 9615 E info@capellavanpark.com.au 13 Langton Street Capella Q 4723 capellavanpark.com.au

Capricorn Coast Yeppoon & Great Keppel Island

Welcome to paradise; an easy 3.5 hours drive east of Emerald lies the sparkling waters of the Capricorn Coast. At the heart of it all is the twin-seaside villages of Yeppoon and Emu Park, overlooking Great Keppel Island... This is the Southern Great Barrier Reef...Where great begins!

Clermont

Capella

Sapphire Rubyvale

Anakie

Willows EMERALD Blackwater Byfield

Yeppoon

ROCKHAMPTON Pumpkin Island Great Keppel Island Emu Park

Mt Morgan

Dululu GLADSTONE

Springsure

Rolleston Biloela

Carnarvon Gorge National Park Monto

Eidsvold

Mundubbera

Gayndah

For tours & accommodation contact

Capricorn Coast Visitor Information Centre Scenic Highway, Yeppoon

Freecall 1800 675 785 l Open 7 Days www.visitcapricorn.com.au

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lilyvale waterhole

Lilyvale Waterhole was once a thriving town on the Cobb and Co route until the railway bypassed it. Now only a few remnants of broken ceramics can be seen. A shelter was built on the original location of the Lilyvale Hotel as part of Australia’s 1988 bicentennial celebrations.

In addition to its historical interest, Lilyvale Waterhole is a great out of the way spot to camp.

bogantungan

On 26 February 1960, Bogantungan became the site of one of Queensland's worst train disasters. The Midlander passenger train, heading east to Rockhampton, passed over the flooded Medway Creek, just west of the town. The bridge collapsed when the train was partly over, and a number of carriages dropped into the water. Sadly, four passengers and three crew were killed, and 43 people were injured.

Call into the historical railway station which has interpretive panels and memorabilia about the crash.

comet

DIG TREE View the Coolibah tree trunk that Ludwig Leichhardt marked during his second exploration of the region in 1847. The engraving indicated to those who followed that Leichhardt had buried a powder canister under the tree containing letters and journals.

The tree was felled in the 1950s due to fears it would be lost to fire. After time in Brisbane and the Miles museum, it is now housed in a purpose-built display in Comet.

RAILWAY STATION Located at Whistle Stop Park, the old Comet Railway Station houses a display of local memorabilia, including old photographs and bridge plans.

COMET TALES AND WALKING TRAILS

Take a self-guided walk around the township, stopping at 16 historical sites. The trail brings local stories to life with story boards, images and videos (through your smartphone).

FISHING Drop a line in the Comet Weir, Comet River under the railway bridge, or Mackenzie River at Riley’s Crossing.

mining history

If you like your experiences big and bold, you’re in luck as the Central Queensland Highlands is located in the Bowen Basin, Australia’s largest coal reserve.

blackwater

BLACKWATER INTERNATIONAL COAL

CENTRE (BICC) is home to the Australian Coal Mining Museum, mine tours, Japanese Gardens, Eliza’s Cottage store, coffee shop, cinema and visitor information centre.

AUSTRALIAN COAL MINING MUSEUM offers a collection of exciting and educational exhibits, media displays and simulators that delve into the past, present and future of mining.

MINE TOURS Experience an awe moment while touring one of Blackwater’s operating coal mines. See the massive open cut pits and oversized machinery, and learn about coal mining from an expert. Tours depart from the BICC and bookings are essential. JAPANESE GARDENS were built as a symbol of the relationship between Blackwater and sister city Fujisawa, Japan. The gardens provide a great spot to sit, relax and take in the serenity.

COAL FACE MEMORIAL Titled "At the Coal Face", the memorial commemorates miners killed in accidents at Blackwater coal mines.

BLACKWATER LIONS PARK has one of the largest displays of flags in the world. The 37 flags represent the nationalities that worked side-by-side to establish the district’s coal industry. The park also has a restored locomotive engine and the 1877 railway station.

AQUATIC CENTRE Unwind with a soothing swim at the aquatic centre, including a 50-metre pool, 25-metre heated pool and children’s splash pad.

Coal Mine Tour, Blackwater

WAR MEMORIAL Two pine trees grown from seeds taken from the Gallipoli Peninsular in Turkey are the highlight of the town's war memorial in Arthur Street.

Blackwater International Coal Centre

The iconic Blackwater International Coal Centre incorporates over 20 separate exhibits exploring the past, present and future of the Australian coal industry, guided mine tours, modern training and conference facilities, 100 seat digital cinema, Visitor Information Centre, Coal Café and Japanese Gardens.

P 07 4982 7755 E manager@bicc.com.au Capricorn Highway Blackwater Q 4717 bicc.com.au

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central highlands mining trail

Follow the Mining Trail, a 180-kilometre drive route through the Bowen Basin. Interpretive signage located along the route explores the stories behind the people that work in the industry. Signs are located at Capella, Lilyvale Waterhole, Emerald, Blackwater and Bluff.

tieri

Tieri is a vibrant mining community supporting Oaky Creek coal mine. Visit nearby Bundoora Dam to camp, boat, fish and swim. Public access can close when water levels are low.