That’s the town in the gemfields isn’t it? Halfway between Rockhampton and Longreach on the Capricorn Highway almost on the Tropic of Capricorn. Emerald truly is a gem. The wide streets are mostly duplicated with avenues of trees down the centre. The main business street, Egerton Street is a tropical oasis of spreading trees and garden beds. This is a town of bougainvillea, mangoes, frangipani. The townsfolk have an eye for art. Mosaics are embedded in the footpaths and interesting pieces are dotted about. An enormous easel stands in the park. The botanic gardens fulfil their purpose of making one feel good. Also dotted with art pieces and thoughtfully laid out.
June 2016, Emerald, Central Queensland
There is plenty to see in Emerald and a nicer town would be hard to find. Today I visit the east side of the Botanic Gardens to see the artworks. I lose my map, get totally lost and hope to hell that my sense of direction will get me out as there are 6 kms of walking trails through dense plantings of bushland and rainforest. Hundreds of black and white butterflies flit through the rainforest and fruit bats hang about chattering in the trees overhead. Every which way there is something to catch the eye like the bush church made from standing stones and a simple cross.

Nourished by Lake Maraboon this area is a fruit bowl of rich dark volcanic soil, orange groves, cotton, sunflowers, grapes. Nearby there are gemstones of many hues just waiting to be uncovered and deeper underground there is coal and lots of it.

Another good combination of words and pictures
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Thank you.
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Lake Maraboon looks lovely and like the sound of all the mosaics. You get to some good places don’t you?
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I’m sure most people would think there’s nothing to see away from the coast but we older caravanners just love poking around.
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Wow what an amazing place.
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A town that a lot of folks would possibly overlook but we found plenty to see and do.
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Very nice
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I remember that big easel but will have to go back to see the Botanical Gardens they sound brilliant. I love the church, just perfect.
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I love the differences in Botanic Gardens around the country. Climate plays a big part and sometimes a little quirkiness as well.
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