Places in Etheridge Shire
AGATE CREEK MINERAL RESERVE
LOCATION
- 85 km South of Forsayth
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
To the South of, Georgetown & Forsayth, surrounded by towering sandstone
walls, lies the Agate Creek Mineral Reserve which has been placed aside
for agate fossickers and is considered to have some of the best specimens
obtainable with exceptional quality and a range of rich colours. This is
a region of rugged beauty that has been inhabited as far back into the
pre-history of this island continent by an Aboriginal population that,
according to their artefact remains, must have been sizeable.
This out-of-the-way, but varied and rich locality of the Gulf Savannah
is well worth exploring to get a full appreciation of the age and ecology
of this dynamic wilderness zone. This area caters for those interested
in archaeology, geology, early European history, flora and fauna, photography.
COBBOLD GORGE (SAVANNAH GUIDE STATION)
LOCATION
- 45 Minutes south of Forsayth
Airstrip
- Located at Howlong Station 15 Kilometres from Cobbold Gorge.
- Length 1000 metres Position 143 28E 18 43S
Facilities
Ensuite Units, Powered Van Sites, Camping Sites, Swimming Pool, Pay Phone, Licensed Bar, Kiosk/Coffee Shop, Souvenirs, Meals.
Surrounding Environs
Cobbold Gorge is unique, hidden away within the rugged sandstone
formations of North Queensland. This gorge is extremely narrow, closing
to a mere two metres wide in places, with spectacular 30 metre cliffs
on either side. The overall length of the gorge is about six kilometres
and consists of a series of water-holes and rockfalls, however only
the last 500 metres is trafficable by flat bottomed boat. To cruise
through this gorge is an awesome and unforgettable experience.
Tours
Various tours of Cobbold Gorge, the cattle property and surrounding environs leave from Cobbold Camping Village on a daily basis. Package tours are also available ex Cairns, Mt Surprise and Georgetown.
As all tours are conducted on a family owned working cattle property access is by means of guided tours only. Bookings are essential.
Cobbold Gorge is THE ULTIMATE OUTBACK ADVENTURE
Cobbold Gorge Tours
M S 1699
Forsayth 4871
FREECALL 1800 669922
Phone 61 7 40625470
Fax 61 7 40 625453
Email cobboldgorge@bigpond.com
Website www.cobboldgorge.com.au
EINASLEIGH
LOCATION
- 43 km South of Mount Surprise
- 107 km Southeast of Georgetown via Forsayth
AIRSTRIP
- Latitude 18Æ30.21'S
- Longitude 144Æ05.34'E
- Elevation 1485 ft
- Runway Bearing 351° 55 minutes 34 seconds
- Length 1200 m · Strip width 15 m (gravel)
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
Einasleigh sits on the eastern edge of the Newcastle Range, on the banks of the Copperfield River. Einasleigh is on the old Chillagoe to Forsayth railway line, now the Cairns to Forsayth railway. Once a copper mining town, it is set among some unusual scenery with flat top hills, or mesas, that rise out of the grasslands.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Explore the Copperfield Gorge: On the Copperfield River, across from the Einasleigh Hotel, is the spectacular Copperfield Gorge with sheer walls dropping into the sandy river bottom. This area is the south eastern boundary of the Undara lava field and here the river has cut through a lava fissure giving the visitor another aspect of the lava flow.
Visit the Kidston Gold Mine area: The Kidston Gold Mine closed July 2001. The mine was the largest open cut gold mine in Australia. Owen Campbell purchased the property in 2001 with the vision of turning it into a unique outback holiday resort. They renovated the miners quarters into single and double rooms and transformed the kitchen into a buffet restaurant. Oaks Rush Outback Resort has two licensed bars, one inside and the other outside with an extensive range of beer, wine, spirits and soft drink. An all weather airstrip is located in the old Kidston town.
Visit the old Kidston Battery: The Kidston Battery is a historic industrial relic from the 1800s when Kidston was a prosperous gold mining town. The battery is complete with crushers. It is old so care should be taken when exploring in the vicinity. The battery is located near the existing Kidston Gold Mine on the site of the historic town of Kidston.
Play in the park: Einasleigh boasts a well appointed park with a shaded adventure playground and free electric barbeques. This park is also a monument to the men who lost their lives in the Blackhawk Training Disaster as men from that squadron assisted with the establishment of the park.
Visit the Einasleigh cemetery: The history of hardships in an area is often written on the tombstones of those who lost their lives in its development. A visit to the well maintained Einasleigh cemetery provides many such tombstones, which provide a picture of the hardships of the past. The cemetery is located on the southern end of Baroota Street.
Come to the annual Einasleigh Races and Rodeo: If you can
get to Einasleigh for the annual Einasleigh Races and
Rodeo weekend than you will surely set yourself up for a good
time. Run
in the
tradition
of all good
country races, this is an event that is not to be missed.
Normally run at Easter time the event attracts many visitors
coming out for the
sunshine,
the racing thrills and a touch of country spirit. If
you have
missed the races there is always the Horse Sports in
September each year.
Take a ride on the Savannahlander: Billed as one of the few Queensland Trains that actually stop outside the pub on request the Savannahlander weekly tourist service runs past the front of the Einasleigh Hotel and has been known to stop for a while. The Savannahlander runs from Cairns to Forsayth and is one of the great train ride experiences on the continent.
View the new Miniature Collection
Located in the Einasleigh Hotel is a truly magnificent miniature collection. Don't miss viewing this collection and see if you can spot the one purposeful error in one of the displays. Truly of museum quality this collection should not be missed.
GEORGETOWN
LOCATION
- 411 km West of Cairns
- 301 km East of Normanton
- 560 km from Townsville
AIRSTRIP
- Latitude 18Æ18.3'S
- Longitude 143Æ31.8'E
- Elevation 995 ft
- Runway Bearing 224° 17 minutes 25 seconds
- Length 1158 m
- Strip width 18 (bitumen)
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
Situated west of the Newcastle Range, Georgetown is the centre for the Etheridge Goldfield. The countryside is rolling hills and wooded savannah grasslands.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
TerrEstrial: TerrEstrial was opened in early 2003 and houses
the Ted Elliott mineral collection. This collection, the work
of one
man contains over 4500 mineral specimens in a myriad of fascinating colours
and shapes
from the region and throughout the world. The Centre also provides
up to date tourist information and is a fully accredited yellow I Visitor
Information
Centre. You can make bookings to visit nearby attractions, view artwork,
use the internet café and relax in the cool building.
Fossicking- Fossick for gold nuggets in the Etheridge Goldfield. Semi-precious stones are abundant - topaz, quartz, spinel, garnet, caringorn, aquamarine and sapphires. It is advisable to check with the Mining Registrar at Georgetown or Etheridge Shire Council regarding regulations and licensing requirements for fossicking. You can also obtain licences from Mount Surprise Tourist Van Park & Motel as well as Mount Surprise Gems.
Further information
Department of Mines and Energy Court House,
High Street Georgetown Qld 4871
Telephone: (07) 4062 1204
Facsimile: (07) 4062 1260
Etheridge Shire Council
St George Street
PO Box 12, Georgetown Qld 4871
Telephone: (07) 4062 1233
Facsimile: (07) 4062 1285
Explore ghost towns: The Etheridge Goldfield was once populated with
many small communities set up around gold strikes. It was known as
the "poor man's goldfield" because of its ability to produce
nugget gold that could be surface collected. Scattered here and there
are now the remains of these temporary settlements. One of the more
famous is the Gilberton area.
Visit the Cumberland Chimney: Built by Cornish masons, it is all that remains of a crushing plant, or mill, that contracted to surrounding mines to crush their gold bearing ore. The Cumberland Chimney sits next to a lagoon which was designed and built to collect water by establishing a series of earthwork channels and a dam. Today this lagoon is the home of bird life, which can be easily photographed. The Cumberland Chimney is approximately 25 kms along on the left hand side of the road going west towards Croydon. Part of the site is contaminated so care should be taken and signs observed.
Have a refreshing free swim: The public swimming pool at Georgetown is a open all year round in daylight hours and may be accessed free of charge with tokens available from the businesses on the highway or from the Council offices. [Visitors will be required to sign an indemnity form to get a token and tokens may only be issued to adults.] Remember that the pool is only open during daylight hours and the token access gate will not work after 7pm.
Visit Teresa's Museum: Don't forget to pop in and see Teresa's Museum in St George Street. This museum holds an eclectic mix of memorabilia sure to intrigue the most avid history buff.
Take a tour of the town: There are many interesting historical features in Georgetown from the restored Shire Hall in St George Street (built in 1908 and restored in 1998), the restored ex-Clerk of the Court dwelling in the same street, the Masonic Temple on the corner of Haldane and Cumberland Streets, The Catholic Church in High Street (established 1913), the cemetery (past the Golf Course on the northern end of St George Street) and the fledgling Etheridge Heritage Park being developed in the centre of the town. This park also boasts a free electric Bar-B-Que amongst shaded trees and modern public toilets including a baby change station. There is a signed walk that goes down the river on one side of the town and along Sandy Creek on the other side of the town. There are 14 entrance gates, rest areas are strategically placed and it is ideal for bird watchers.
Georgetown is also the administrative centre of the Etheridge Shire Council and the main offices of the Council are located in the town centre.
Join in the many annual regional functions: Georgetown hosts a number of regional country activities including Races at the Georgetown Racecourse, Campdrafts and Rodeo's at the Recreation Grounds and annual Bushman's Ball at the Shire Hall. See TerrEstrial Centre for details.
MOUNT SURPRISE
LOCATION
- 319 km West of Cairns
- 821 km east of NT border
AIRSTRIP
- Latitude 18' 07.58'S
- Longitude 144Æ17.12'E
- Elevation 1300 ft
- Runway Bearing 222° 31 minutes 50 seconds
- Sealed and Linemarked 1150 m
- Strip width 15 m
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
Mt Surprise is an historic railway town on the Cairns to Forsayth Railway. It is the first town within the Gulf Savannah region encountered by visitors approaching from the east. It is also a centre for gem fossicking with quantities of topaz, quartz, spinel, garnet, caringorn and aquamarine to be found. Mt Surprise sits on the edge of the immense Undara lava field caused by ancient volcanic eruptions in the McBride Plateau. The surrounding country is flat, wooded savannah grasslands, with isolated hills.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Go fossicking: Mt Surprise is an ideal area to either fossick for
one's own gemstones and for local information on
how to reach the fields and assistance in recognising the various stones
in
their
natural state
check with the local businesses of Mt. Surprise.
Visit the lava fields. To the east of Mount Surprise
is the toe of the lava flow which originated from
the 164 craters of the McBride Plateau. This is the
youngest volcanic
system
in
Australia
at only
some
190,000
years old. There are basalt tunnels which run for
some
160 kilometres
underground. The tubes and can only be accessed through
the Savannah Guide Post located
at the Undara Lava Lodge on the Undara Volcanic National
Park.
Stop at the 40 Mile Scrub National Park: This park
is a rare and relatively unique vine thicket that
sits on a recent
cap of volcanic basalt flow. You will see it when
you travel
east
of
Mt Surprise
and north to
Mt Garnet. This park is part of the Undara lava
fields. The thicket includes bottle trees and giant fig trees
as well as possums, gliders,
wallabies
and a large number of birds usually associated
with rainforests.
Go Swimming: The Einasleigh River, on the way to
Georgetown, is another location for cooling off
especially in the
early part of the
year
or after the first storms in the build-up to the
monsoons. Routh Creek, on top of
the Newcastle Range on the way to Georgetown, also
has a permanent waterhole on the northern side
of the road. Be aware that these
are not swimming
pools and care should be taken of the local wildlife.
Experience the Savannahlander: Mt Surprise is on the Savannahlander route which is a weekly tourist service running from Cairns to Forsayth. This train journey is an international rail treasure allowing people to experience one of the more unique rail experiences in the world. For bookings and enquiries contact:
Savannahlander
PO Box 718
Edge Hill Qld 4870
Telephone: 0740 536848
Fax: 0740 536818
Email: info@savannahlander.com.au
Discover the Old Coach Road: On travelling across the Newcastle Range between Mt Surprise and Georgetown, look out for the original coach road that wound through this high country. The grades were so steep that supply laden horses were fitted with shoes that had nails protruding from the bottom to give the animals better traction. From the Newcastle Range, on either side, views of the Gulf Savannah that seem to go on forever must have chilled explorers to the bone.
Come to the Annual Campdraft: Held on the Sports Reserve just west of Mt Surprise the Campdraft is an annual event that offers true country entertainment in a relaxing environment. This Campdraft is normally held in August each year. If you are in town at this time look for further details of the exact dates.
O'BRIENS CREEK
LOCATION
- 37 km North West of Mount Surprise
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
O'Briens Creek Gemfield near Mount Surprise is well know for gem quality topaz and attracts visitors from all over Australia and overseas.
The O'Briens Creek fossicking area was established over most of the gemfield in 1995 by the Department of Mines and Energy with the co-operation of the landholder and the Etheridge Shire Council, to simplify tourist and recreational fossicking.
From the township of Mt Surprise go northwest across the rail line on the Mount Surprise Station road and travel 37k to cross Elizabeth Creek. After crossing Elizabeth Creek bear to the left following the main track for approx 1.5k where the sign defining the start of the gemfield is clearly placed on your left. A map marking the main tracks and boundaries within the gemfield is available when purchasing a licence. A licence must be obtained to fossick in this area. See the fossicking section for further information
GEOLOGY
The rocks in the vicinity of O'Briens Creek are mapped as the Elizabeth Creek Granite of Carboniferous age. The granite is pink, medium-grained, and slightly porphyritic grained containing minor mafic minerals. Topaz and tin were deposited in veins and altered zones derived from late-stage melts and fluids during cooling of the granite. These resistant minerals were liberated by erosion and later concentrated in creek alluvium and possibly hillwash. The area has been extensively worked for alluvial tin.
THE LYND JUNCTION
LOCATION
- At the intersection of the Kennedy Development Road and the Gregory Development Road
- 262 km north-west of Charters Towers
- 156 km South of Mount Garnet
Situated at the intersection of the above roads, the nearest township to the Lynd Junction is the nickel mining township of Greenvale, located at the end of the rail line from Townsville.
The Oasis Roadhouse is famous for Queensland's Smallest Bar and while small in stature, will always guarantee a thirst quenching drink for any weary traveller.
UNDARA VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK (SAVANNAH GUIDE STATION)
LOCATION
- 275 km South West of Cairns
- 55 km east of Mount Surprise
AIRSTRIP
- Latitude 18' 12" S
- Longitude 144' 36" E
- Elevation 2500 AMS
- Runway Bearing 11/29
- Length 1900 m
SURROUNDING ENVIRONS
High in the Great Dividing Range on the eastern edge of the Gulf Savannah is the 5 ½ thousand square kilometre McBride Volcanic Province that commenced erupting some 8 million years ago and continued with increasing regularity until less than 100,000 years ago.
The McBride system of volcanoes has some 164 craters and around 190,000 years ago the main Undara crater, the highest and most dominant vent, produced a geological phenomenon that is rare, and in a word, fascinating, the Undara lava tubes within the Undara Volcanic National Park. These dramatic lava tubes wind for in excess of 90 km underground, along an ancient stream bed and are now recorded as the most dramatic representation of this geological peculiarity on Earth.
Undara Volcanic National Park is one of Australia's greatest geological wonders. The park is located 275 km south west of Cairns and boasts the best preserved and largest lava tube system on Earth, offering an unforgettable experience in the Australian Outback and satisfying the appetites of both adventurer and eco-traveller.
Undara is an Aboriginal word meaning "a long way". Its story began some 190,000 years ago, when it erupted and the fiery molten lava flowed into a nearby dry riverbed. The external lava quickly cooled and crusted, but underneath, a fiery flow snaked it's way through, leaving a drained, hardened exterior to create long, dark, hollow tubes.
Ancient roof collapses have since created fertile pockets where rainforest plants, insect and animal species now live. The lava tubes lie hidden beneath their own lush canopies of rainforest, incongruous with the surrounding woodlands. The vegetation has evolved from the time of Gondwana and is only found in a few rainforests throughout the world (Madagascar, for example). Just as the lava tubes are reliant on this ancient vegetation for protection, so too is the forest dependent on the tubes to shelter it from wind and fire and to provide rich lava nutrient and moisture.
Undara spewed out over 23 cubic km of molten lava, enough liquid to fill Sydney Harbour 3-4 times. One flow from Undara travelled in a Northwest direction for 164 km and is considered to be the longest single lava flow from one vent in the world in modern geological time.
Several of the tubes, or "caves" as they are often called, are open to the public (others are still the subject of scientific research) but only on guided tours conducted by highly trained and knowledgeable Savannah Guides who are all members of the Multi-award winning Savannah Guides Organisation. Savannah Guides is a network of professional tour guides with in depth collective knowledge of the natural and cultural assets of the Tropical Savannahs of Northern Australia. Besides being interpreters with an intimate knowledge of their specific environments, they are also protectors of their specific locations.
