Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia

Charters Towers, Queensland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charters_towers.jpg
Author: Rob and Stephanie Levy


Charters Towers is a city on the inland part of northern Queensland, Australia. Located 137 km southwest of Townsville, it has a population of approximately 8,000 people (2012 estimate).

The founding of Charters Towers goes back to Christmas Eve of 1871, when 12-year-old Aboriginal boy Jupiter Mossman chanced upon gold ore at Towers Hill. This attracted prospectors to the area. A gold mining settlement was established and named after W.S.E.M Charters, the Gold Commissioner.

Between 1872 and 1899, Charters Towers grew at such a dizzying pace that it even had its own stock exchange. At one time around 1882, its population swelled to 30,000, rivalling that of Brisbane. However, by the 20th century, the mines in Charters Towers were depleted, and further mining activities became uneconomical.

With a decline in the mining industry, Charters Towers turned to other economic activities including the pastoral industry and education. It became the site for boarding schools educating children from remote rural families. In recent years, the rising price of gold made it worthwhile to reopen the mines, and production began again in 2006, 89 years after the mines were closed.

The Municipal Library of Charters Towers
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Municipal_Library.jpg
Author: MichaelGG

Visiting Charters Towers

From Townsville, take State Highway A6 (Flinders Highway) heading south till you reach Charters Towers.

Places of Interest in Charters Towers

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