Welcome to THE WORLD
THE WORLD - Living History
Five experiences not to miss
Early Birds – Towers Hill Walk
Five amazing parks to visit
Early Birds – Towers Hill Walk
Early morning is the best time to discover the wildlife living in and around Towers Hill. Pick up your Towers Hill brochure from the Visitor Information Centre and discover why this site has such special significance. You'll see several species of macropods such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, the Whiptail and the Allied Rock Wallabies. Watch as the Wedge-tailed Eagles hunt their prey. This is also a favourite exercise track for locals. Look for the gold discovery monument at the base of the Hill.
Follow the road and uncover the stories from the informative storyboards along the way. There's Jupiter's Luck, the Seismograph Station and Clark's Gold Mine. Wander through the Landcare rehabilitation project at the base of the hill to the right. Discover the WWII bunkers, there are 30 of them in total. It is a short walk to a restored bunker which is sign posted half way up the hill on the right. On arrival at the summit take time to enjoy the view as Charters Towers awakens. There are picnic tables available for your BYO breakfast. Another track at the summit leads off to the ruins of the Pyrites Works.
Experience the thrill of livestock going under the hammer. Cattle sales are held every Wednesday (dependent upon numbers) at the Dalrymple Saleyards. Beef is produced on 250 commercial properties that run some 600,000 head of cattle. The Saleyards sells over 100,000 head per annum of store and prime cattle and host North Queensland's premier bull and horse sales.
Drop into the Civic Club and enjoy a drink with a local, soak up the atmosphere of this historic building and play a round of billiards on one of the two 100-year-old tables. Formerly a Gentlemen's Club, it is open to all. Don't forget to make your booking for their famous Friday night BBQ - this is the only time meals are available here.
Antiques Crafts and Local Shopping
Charters Towers offers a unique shopping experience where bargain hunters can find a special or two or uncover a hidden treasure amongst the many locally made arts and crafts, antique and second hand stores. Our shopping strip is special too as it is still a country experience with many locally owned shops providing good old country service with a smile.
Watch a couple of flicks at our local Drive-In Cinema - one of only six still operating in Queensland. Check programmed screenings with the Visitor Information Centre. The Drive-In usually operates on weekends and school holidays. www.torsdrive-in.com
Lissner Park is a seven hectare reserve that was first gazetted for public recreation purposes in 1883. It was the city's first initiative to compensate for the impact of mining. The park is almost rectangular and bordered by Anne, Church, Deane and Plummer streets. At the Anne Street end is a memorial to Jupiter Mosman, who locals credit with the first discovery of gold in 1872. This monument features a free-standing boomerang. Towards the centre of the park there are two fountains - the Rotary Centenary Fountain and the Commonwealth Fountain. Adjacent to the Commonwealth Fountain is a pair of restored WWI guns. The Boer War Veterans Memorial Kiosk commemorates the 82 men who enlisted from Charters Towers and went to South Africa between 1899 and 1901. Nearby are the Band Rotunda, children's playground, duck pond and a memorial to grazier and pioneer William Hann. Lissner Park is well lit, therefore perfect for evening picnics. The park has picnic tables, gas BBQs and is always cool and shady.
Explore Centenary Park with the Gold Discovery Monument which features a collection of sculptures by Queensland artist Hugh Anderson The Park is also a haven for many bird species particularly parrots and figbirds. Picnic tables and gas BBQs are available and there is always somewhere cool and shady to relax.
Take a drive out to the Burdekin Weir. This is the source of our liquid gold - water. You will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the mighty Burdekin River, which is the fourth largest Australian river by volume flow. The City's water supply is pumped from the Weir to the reservoir on Towers Hill. There is a large picnic area with BBQ facilities (wood fired). If you would prefer a spot of fishing turn off to the left before the picnic area and travel approximately 1 kilometre to the Burdekin Water Park.
Take time out to visit the smallest park in the City, nestled between City Hall and the former Commonwealth Bank of Australia - now a Chinese Restaurant - in Mosman Street. The Park is named after Dr Thomas Roy Edmeades MB, BS, a former medical practitioner who served the people of Charters Towers from 23 January 1916 to 1 January 1971.
The Park has plenty of shade and a picnic table. Other plaques on display include one that commemorates the 5th Air Force - United States Army Air Corps' presence in Charters Towers from March 1942 to 11 November 1943 during WWII and another to the establishment in 1891 of the Charters Towers District Australian Labour Federation (ALF).
Defiance Mill Park has something for the whole family, with a concrete skate park which can be used for skateboards, bikes, scooters and rollerblades. There is also a one-third basketball court with full sized ring. The Park has a large oval walking track with exercise stations spaced out around the entire circuit. Next to the walking track is a dirt BMX track.
The Park is partially shaded and surrounded by a grassed area. There are picnic tables, seating and off street parking. A supermarket and tennis courts are located across the road.
