Emerald

Emerald

Emerald is a large town situated at the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory Highways and is set in the heart of the Central Highlands. While the town originally served as a rail junction and a centre for the local cotton industries, in recent years, the town has grown significantly due to the expansive coal mining regions to the north. The town is well looked after, has a great main street & shopping precinct (unusual for a mining town), several parks (including Botanical Gardens) and tree lined avenues (northern entrance is exceptional!). To the south (15km) is Fairbairn Dam/Lake Maraboon - a large man made dam that not only provides the local water supply but is popular for swimming, water sports and has several picnic & recreational areas.

Population: 9,800
State: Queensland
Postcode: 4720
Local Government: Emerald Shire Council
Location: 874km north west of Brisbane, 270km west of Rockhampton
Main Watercourses: Nogoa River
Main Roads: Capricorn Highway , Gregory Highway
Radio Stations (Music): Hot FM (94.7), Triple J (97.1)

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

Heading west on the Capricorn/Gregory Highways approaching Emerald (2004).

Clermont Street (Capricorn Hwy), looking west between Opal and Borilla Streets, Emerald (2004).

Borilla Street, looking north towards the Egerton Street roundabout and clock tower, Emerald (2004).

Looking west along the shopfronts on Clermont Street, Emerald (2004).

Clermont Street again, this time with the railway station on the left, Emerald (2004).

Egerton Street, looking west approaching Anakie Street, Emerald (2004).

And again, this time looking west from Opal Street, Emerald (2004).

Hospital Road (Gregory Hwy), looking north approaching Racecourse Road, Emerald (2004).

Hospital Road again, this time outside the water tower & Rotary Park, Emerald (2004).

And again, this time at the intersection with Ruby Street, Emerald. Love those palm trees in the median strip! (2004)

Opal Street, looking north between Clermont and Egerton Streets, Emerald (2004).

Picnic and Recreation Reserve adjacent to Lake Maraboon (15km south of Emerald) (2004).

Fairbairn Dam wall and overflow bridge in the distance at Lake Maraboon (2004).

The dam wall, this time showing the expanse of Lake Maraboon (2004).

	Heading west on the Capricorn/Gregory Highways approaching Emerald (2004).
	Clermont Street (Capricorn Hwy), looking west between Opal and Borilla Streets, Emerald (2004).
	Borilla Street, looking north towards the Egerton Street roundabout and clock tower, Emerald (2004).
	Looking west along the shopfronts on Clermont Street, Emerald (2004).
	Clermont Street again, this time with the railway station on the left, Emerald (2004).
	Egerton Street, looking west approaching Anakie Street, Emerald (2004).
	And again, this time looking west from Opal Street, Emerald (2004).
	Hospital Road (Gregory Hwy), looking north approaching Racecourse Road, Emerald (2004).
	Hospital Road again, this time outside the water tower & Rotary Park, Emerald (2004).
	And again, this time at the intersection with Ruby Street, Emerald. Love those palm trees in the median strip! (2004)
	Opal Street, looking north between Clermont and Egerton Streets, Emerald (2004).
	Picnic and Recreation Reserve adjacent to Lake Maraboon (15km south of Emerald) (2004).
	Fairbairn Dam wall and overflow bridge in the distance at Lake Maraboon (2004).
	The dam wall, this time showing the expanse of Lake Maraboon (2004).