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Rockhampton |
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Rockhampton or "Rocky" claims the title of Australia's Beef
Capital. Charles Archer first discovered this region in 1855. Rockhampton
is a modern city that has retained many examples of colonial architecture.
Attractions include river cruises, a crocodile farm, Barramundi fishing,
the Rockhampton Heritage Village, and and Aboriginal cultural centre. |
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Blackwater
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Blackwater is Queensland's coal capital. The town of 8,000 was built
to service the surrounding coalmines. Coal was discovered on the banks
of the Mackenzie River in 1845 by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt. Since
the 1960's large mining companies have developed the region to extract
millions of tonnes of coal or "black diamonds" each year.
The nearby Blacktown Tableland National Park covers about 32,000 ha
(80,000 acres) of scenic escarpment, crystal clear creeks and magnificent
gorges. |
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Emerald |
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Emerald took its name from the green grazing land of Emerald Downs
Station. It is the gateway to the Central Highlands and sapphire gem
fields. Nearby is Lake Maraboon, Queensland's second largest man-made
lake. To the south is the Carnarvon National Park. To the north is
Capella and Clermont, where you can try your luck fossicking for gold. |
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Anakie |
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Anakie (Aboriginal for "twin peaks") is part of the Southern
Hemisphere's largest sapphire field. Fabulous discoveries on the Central
Queensland gem fields include the spectacular "Century Sapphire."
Not only was this massive 2,020 carat gem the largest black sapphire
ever unearthed, it was found by a 14 year old boy. So why don't you
give it a try! |
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Bogantungan |
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Bogantungan became a busy and prosperous town when the railway opened
here in 1881. For two years, Bogantungan was the terminus of the central
railway. The original railway station burnt down in 1888 and was replaced
by a former terminus building moved from "Gordon Downs". |
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Alpha |
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Alpha is east of the Great Dividing Range. This railway town was built
in the 1870's as a depot for Queensland Rail's diesel electric locomotives
which operated to the far west. There are 17 murals in town, and art
gallery and museum that tell the story of the area. |
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Barcaldine |
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Barcaldine is remembered for the great shearer's strike of 1891. The
strike started in the Clermont/Capella area and involved up to 400
shearers. It was one of the catalysts which led to the formation of
the Australian Workers Party (now the A.L.P). Opposite the railway
station stands an old gum tree ("The Tree of Knowledge")
where strike organisers met over a hundred years ago. Today Barcaldine
is home to the Australian Workers' Heritage Centre |
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Ilfracombe
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Ilfracombe started as a railway camp on a section of Wellshot Station,
the world's largest sheep station in the late 1880's. Before the railway
reached the town in 1891, wool was taken to the port of Rockhampton
by horse drawn wagons. The journey took three months. As the train
slows through Ilfracombe you will see the historic Wellshot Hotel
and many of the early farm machinery exhibits restored by the museum. |
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Longreach |
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Longreach is home to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, a world
class memorial to early outback pioneers, visited by thousands each
year. The Qantas Founders Museum recalls the outback origins of Australia's
first national airline. From Longreach you can tour to Winton, visit
the Waltzing Matilda Centre or even discover dinosaur footprints at
Lark Quarry. Visit a local cattle station. Cruise the Thomson River.
You might even like to follow in the footsteps of the bush ranger
Captain Starlight. |
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Winton |
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Winton is the centre of a massive cattle and sheep grazing district.
It is also at the heart of Australia's heritage. The Waltzing Matilda
Centre honours the famous bush poet Banjo Paterson, as well as the
country and the people who inspired his work. Every year Winton challenges
wordsmiths from around the world to compete for "The Bronze Swagman
Award." In September (of every odd numbered year) the Winton
Outback Festival draws people from all walks of life to a nine day
celebration of the old Australian ways. The Winton district is preserving
the past, including the tracks of dinosaurs that roamed this world
millions of years ago. |
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