Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Charters Towers

Charters Towers

Charters Towers, a large town located in the Burdekin Basin in North Queensland, lies at the junction of the Flinders Highway & the Gregory Developmental Road, 135km south-west of Townsville. It is nicknamed "The World" as it was once touted that everything could be found at Charters Towers. The town was established in 1872 after a chance discovery of gold by a group of prospectors. It grew quickly to be the second largest centre in Queensland during the town's boom years, of which declined after World War 1 when mining became uneconomic as much of the surface deposits had been extracted. By that stage, the railway from Townsville had been constructed and Charters Towers had become an important service centre for the surrounding cattle & pastoral industries. In more recent times, mining activity has resumed and the town is known for its provision of education with an abundance of schools being able to support remote students. Of interest in town are the 19th century buildings still in use in the CBD, the attractive Lissner Park and the lookout at Towers Hill. In the area are Dalrymple National Park (50km north), Great Basalt Wall (80km west) and Burdekin Falls Dam (Lake Dalrymple - 150km south-east).

Population: 8,000
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Charters - originates from William Charters who was the early gold commissioner. Towers - originates from the unusual shape of the nearby hills from where the first gold was extracted.
Pronunciation: Char-ters Tow-wers
Postcode: 4820
Local Government: Charters Towers Regional Council
Location: 1345km north west of Brisbane, 135km south-west of Townsville
Main Watercourses: Burdekin River (15km away)
Main Roads: Flinders Highway , Gregory Developmental Road
Radio Stations (Music): Hot FM (95.9 & 103.1), 4TO-FM (102.3), Mix FM (106.3), Zinc Rocks (100.7), Triple J (105.5), 4GC (AM 828), 4TO (AM774)

Photos from Charters Towers (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Western entrance to Charters Towers on the Flinders Hwy (2006).

The Flinders Highway, looking north from Moores St, Charters Towers (2006).

Gill Street, looking west between Deane and Church Streets, Charters Towers (2006). Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!

Gill Street, looking west from Deane Street with the historic post office on the right, Charters Towers (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!

Gill Street, looking east from Mosman Street, Charters Towers (2006).

Mosman Street, looking north from Gill Street with the historic cinema on the left, Charters Towers (2006).

Mosman Street, looking south from Marion St with Towers Hill in the background, Charters Towers (2006).

Lissner Park, looking east from Deane Street, Charters Towers (2006).

Lissner Park again, Charters Towers (2006).

Hackett Terrace, looking west from Racecourse Road with Apex Park on the left, Charters Towers (2006).

View west along the Flinders Highway as it approaches Charters Towers. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2006)

View north over Charters Towers CBD from Towers Hill (2006).

View north-east over Charters Towers from Towers Hill (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!

View south over the Burdekin River from the Macrossan Bridge (Flinders Highway) towards the Railway Bridge (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!

	Western entrance to Charters Towers on the Flinders Hwy (2006).
	The Flinders Highway, looking north from Moores St, Charters Towers (2006).
	Gill Street, looking west between Deane and Church Streets, Charters Towers (2006). Thanks to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!
	Gill Street, looking west from Deane Street with the historic post office on the right, Charters Towers (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!
	Gill Street, looking east from Mosman Street, Charters Towers (2006).
	Mosman Street, looking north from Gill Street with the historic cinema on the left, Charters Towers (2006).
	Mosman Street, looking south from Marion St with Towers Hill in the background, Charters Towers (2006).
	Lissner Park, looking east from Deane Street, Charters Towers (2006).
	Lissner Park again, Charters Towers (2006).
	Hackett Terrace, looking west from Racecourse Road with Apex Park on the left, Charters Towers (2006).
	View west along the Flinders Highway as it approaches Charters Towers. Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic! (2006)
	View north over Charters Towers CBD from Towers Hill (2006).
	View north-east over Charters Towers from Towers Hill (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!
	View south over the Burdekin River from the Macrossan Bridge (Flinders Highway) towards the Railway Bridge (2006). Thanks again to Jamie Scuglia for this pic!