City Driving Tours

Discover the hidden treasures of Charters Towers.  Purchase or hire an audio CD and map from the Visitor Information Centre and discover Charters Towers at your own pace.  Visit places off  the beaten track and hear stories from the old days.

Centenary of Federation Heritage Sculpture Trail

Discover some of our city's characters, such as Zelia Alexander, Annie Baggs and Francis Powel, through sculpture.  Follow the trail made possible by some very talented local artists.  There are currently 16 available for public viewing at 7 locations around the city.  Pick up your Heritage Sculpture Trail brochure from the Visitor Information Centre.

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WWII Photographic Display

The photographic display is in the foyer of City Hall and is open for viewing during business hours.  This exhibit captures the activities that took place at the Charters Towers Aerodrome and the Breddan Airstrip during WW11.

Pioneer Cemetery

The Pioneer Cemetery contains graves of those buried from 1872 - 1895 and gives insight into the hardships our pioneers faced during the goldfield days.  Cemetery records  are available for viewing at the Visitor Information Centre.

Charters Towers Cemetery

This newer cemetery, established in 1895, is the resting place for a number of interesting local characters including Jupiter Mosman who was one of the party that discovered gold at Charters Towers, Doctor Leonard Redmond who recognised dengue fever, Fredrick Pfeiffer owner of the rich Day Dawn PC Mine and James Kenniff who was the last bushranger in Queensland. Cemetery records are available for viewing at the Visitor Information Centre.

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World Theatre

Built in 1891, the World Theatre was originally the Australian Bank of Commerce.  Its name derives from when Charters Towers was the second largest city in Queensland and was affectionately referred to as "The World".  The building was converted in 1996 into a 660 seat performing arts theatre, two cinemas, restaurant, gift shop and public art gallery.  It is here in 1902, that the Mosman Street Tragedy took place.  Browse at your own leisure.  Check with the friendly staff for details of the live shows, movie times, morning melodies and the local and touring exhibitions of art, sculpture, photography and more.

Zara Clark Museum

This National Trust owned and run museum houses a large collection of photographs, equipment and other memorabilia that reflect Charters Towers' golden past.  Their friendly volunteers and staff are only too willing to share their special stories and demonstrate some of the equipment that is housed in this historic Burns Philp building, built in 1888.  Ask for a demonstration of the flying fox – the Lampson Aerial Cash System from the old Pollards building.  This is always a favourite.  One of the most heard comments from visitors to the Zara Clark Museum is "Oh, I remember that!"  The collection is full of items guaranteed to bring back a lovely memory or two.  Apart from these items there are other artifacts that will pull you into the drama and excitement that was Charters towers 135 odd years ago.

The Miner's Cottage

You will find this mini museum offering an experience set back in time located right in the city heart.  The cottage is refurbished and decorated to show how the house would have looked at the start of the 20th century.  Panning for real gold is great fun for children and adults alike and you are able to do just that at The Miner's Cottage.  A free cup of tea or coffee awaits you on arrival.

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Historic Ambulance Centre

This centre dates back to 1903 and was the first ambulance station outside Brisbane and covered a working area of almost 70,000 sq km – approximately the size of Tasmania.  Here visitors can view a wonderful collection of old vehicles, uniforms and an enormous number of log books recording the cases treated by ambulance offers during the past 100 years.  The centre is open on Sundays and at other times by appointment. 

Excelsior Library

Browse through the restored Excelsior Library, formerly the Excelsior Hotel which burnt down in 1995.  This fully air-conditioned building is also home to the Charters Towers and Dalrymple Archives Group.  They are an active group continually gathering and uncovering the golden past of our city.  If you have stories to share or need a mystery solved, this is the place for you.  The Library is also home to the Excelsior Brass Band and the beginnings of the city's art collection.

City Murals

Discover some of Charters Towers' local works of art at various places around the town.  By far the largest mural is visible at the Arthur Titley Centre, but you can easily explore the others at the Civic Club, Centenary Park, Westpac Bank and McDonald's Family Restaurant.

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Macrossan Bridge Flood Marker

Just 15 minutes from Charters Towers on your way to Townsville, take a moment to pull over and check out the flood water heights of the mighty Burdekin River.  You will be amazed.

Burdekin Weir

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 1km to the Burdekin Water Park.

Bush Racing

This region is famous for its bush hospitality and great bush picnic race meetings.  To name a few, the Oak Park Races are in July, the Ewan Races in September, and the Pentland Races are in November.  For more information refer to the Events Calendar.

Markets

Local Art and Craft markets will brighten up your weekend.  Check out the Events Calendar for dates.

Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours

Situated at Leahton Park, just 10 kilometres from Charters Towers, Texas Longhorn Wagon Tours features the largest herd of purebred Texas Longhorns in Australia including the longest horned steer in the world. Guests are taken on a horse drawn wagon ride in a wagon and harness that were all made at Leahton Park to view these animals as well as other native & exotic wildlife. The historical significance of the Texas Longhorns and traditional ways of doing things are a major focus. Other features are camp oven cooked billy tea smokos as well as guided tours of the Bethel Saddlery custom saddle shop.

Tors Drive-In Cinema

Take time out and watch a couple of flicks at our local Drive-In Cinema - one of only six (6) still operating in Queensland, and the longest operating in regional Australia (43 years).  There are only 12 left in Australia.  The Drive-In usually operates Friday, Saturday and Sunday, however for groups of 40 or more the Drive-In will arrrange special screenings on other nights.  If enough notice is given the Drive-In will even attempt to fill special requests for a particular movie.

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