About The Region

Located 90 minutes west of Townsville, Charters Towers is a charming outback town – a town that is a living museum showcasing its rich gold-mining and wartime history.   

 The town’s beginnings date back to the early 1870’s, when Towers gold was first discovered by prospectors – Hugh Mosman, George Clarke, John Fraser and their horse boy, Jupiter.  The name Charters Towers was named after the, then, Gold Commissioner, W.S.E.M. Charters, with Towers – referring to the conical shaped hills surrounding their gold discovery.  

 Charters Towers was, at one time, the largest goldfield in Australia and became colloquially  known as ‘The World’ when, at its gold-mining peak in the late 1890’s, it was a town spoilt for choice.  With no less than 65 hotels to frequent, sport, music and the arts in abundance – there was no reason for the thriving population of 25,000 residents to leave.  The town had become a city of designed streets, underground electricity, with beautiful homes and impressive public buildings lining the two main streets. 

 During World War II, Charters Towers became one of the largest staging posts for Australian and allied troops in the region. Today, you can explore the town’s incredible role as part of the last line of defence that North Queensland played to protect Australia from invasion.

Today, Charters Town has a population of approximately 10,000 and is a place for history buffs, for families wanting an authentic Australian experience to visit and where the outback spirit is proudly on show.  Take in the stunning Australian landscapes that surround the town or go back  in time as you pan for gold.  Experience the bunkers built during World War II, discover one of the largest herds of longhorns outside of Texas and travel back to a time when Charters Towers was the richest place in Australia as you dine at one of the gold rush pubs that remain in operation to this day. And, did we mention that Charters Towers was the location for the filming of Survivor Australia 2022. 

 Charters Towers is a town of beautiful heritage with many stories just waiting to be told with a few tall tales that may have grown over time – and, it cannot wait to welcome you.  

Where To Eat

 Charters Towers Motel is located just 700 metres from the town’s centre.   

All accommodation rooms include a small fridge and microwave.  An outdoor dining area with barbecue is also available for guests to prepare meals during their stay. A selection of supermarkets can be found in the town’s centre for groceries, fresh fruit and meats.  

 If you are looking to dine out whilst staying with us, these are just a few of our favourite places. 

  • The Rix Hotel

    The Rix Hotel takes you back to the magnificence of the gold rush days - first opened in 1875 - and the meeting place for so many of history’s great moments in time. Experience casual pub-style favourites in The Back Bar or for something fancier, their signature, locally sourced, steak dishes in the more stylish Beast & Barrel Bar + Grill.

  • The Commercial Hotel

    The town’s local pub is The Commercial Hotel where you will experience authentic Queensland hospitality. Where all are welcome for classic pub dishes served with a friendly smile, or just pop in for a cold beer or glass of wine.

  • Stock Exchange Café

    The Stock Exchange Café is one of our recommendations for breakfast and lunch and can be found in the magnificent Stock Exchange Arcade. Enjoy fabulous coffee and a meal as you sit surrounded by this iconic part of our town’s goldmining history.

  • Koffe & Cones

    Koffe & Cones is exactly what you get when visiting this popular cafe. Renowned for their great coffee, and a selection of scrumptious ice-cream desserts – all served with a wonderful smile. It is one of our favourite places to visit.

For more inspiration, please follow the below link. 

   

 When planning where to dine in Charters Towers, we recommend always checking the opening hours beforehand, and booking ahead. 

What to See & Do 

 

Once the second largest town in Queensland, and 150+ years since the goldfields were first declared, today visitors can immerse themselves in a town that is rich in Australian history, whilst discovering many wonderful modern-day experiences and a thriving arts community. 

 Towers Hill Lookout offers fabulous views of Charters Towers, but it also tells the town’s fabulous story with interpretative displays and an amphitheatre that screens the history of Charters Towers each evening.  Whilst making your way to the Lookout, experience the town’s World War II military history firsthand – where stories are retold by those who were there, and the concrete bunkers scattered throughout the hill can be explored.   

 Now home to a selection of retail stores, offices and the Stock Exchange Café, the iconic Stock Exchange Arcade was built in 1888 was one of Australia’s first regional stock exchanges.  Reflecting the town’s ‘rise and fall’ of fortune on the goldfields, it was closed in 1916 as gold became scarce and the population declined.  Today, the beauty of the era’s architecture provides a unique setting from which to stop and reflect.  Take a walk down Mosman and Gill Streets to experience more of the town’s rich architectural history where 60+ buildings of historical significance can be discovered.  

 The Venus Gold Battery takes you back to the town’s golden days and ways – crushing gold bearing quartz from mines across Queensland - filled with history, it is the largest and last surviving battery relic in Queensland.  

  • Zara Clark Museum

    Continuing the history trail, the Zara Clark Museum returns to the excitement of life in Charters Towers over a century ago. With displays featuring the town’s agricultural, mining and wartime history – stories abound and are passionately retold by local volunteers.

  • Texas Longhorn

    Put your cowboy hat and boots on and experience a bit of Texas whilst in the heart of the Australian outback with a visit to Texas Longhorn. Located on a beautiful family-owned property just 10km from Charters Towers, you will find direct descendants of the Texas Longhorns that walked the great trails herds through Texas in the late 1800’s.

  • Tors Drive-In Cinema

    Who does not love a double feature at the drive-in? Charters Towers is home to one of the oldest drive-in theatres in Queensland, Tors Drive-In Cinema, operating continuously since 1966 – providing starry, starry skies movie viewing experiences to children of all ages.

    Tors Drive-In Cinema

  • Charters Towers Water Park

    The newly opened Charters Towers Water Park will quickly become a favourite place to stay cool during the warmer months. Featuring a water splash pad which includes a tipping bucket and water slides, water lovers can make their way through a pathway of water jets and spray hoops under the protection of giant shade sails. With free entry, picnic spaces and barbeques are also available.

This is only the highlights reel of what can be experienced during your time in Charters Towers – to discover more, please follow the below links.  

When planning your day of exploring, we recommend always checking the opening hours beforehand, and where required, booking ahead. 

We Make You Welcome