Carnarvon Gorge, The Gemfields, Theresa Creek Dam

Carnarvon Gorge

Sometimes things just don’t get promoted and when it comes to Queensland the coastal region gets all the publicity when there are little-known world class attractions inland. Carnarvon Gorge is one of those places. Kilometres of beautiful walks amble through this towering gorge and Takarakka Bush Resort is located in a bushland setting bounding, yes bounding with wildlife. This place is magical.

The Gemfields

Emerald, Sapphire, Rubyvale, the town names out here tell you what can be found below your feet. Economically Emerald thrives on coal mining being in the Bowen Basin region. It’s also an area of fruit and vegetable production with the large Fairbairn Dam supplying the water. For us nomadic folk this neat and attractive town has supplies and a delightful Botanic Garden. Do yourself a favour and make the time to visit the gemfields of Sapphire and Rubyvale, buy some wash (a bucket of dirt) and learn how to find those gemstones. You won’t find your fortune, but you will find some tiny gems and have a load of fun.

Theresa Creek Dam

Near the town of Clermont there’s another hidden delight. Theresa Creek Dam is a very attractive spot and popular with fishermen. The birdlife here is plentiful and the little blighters will be banging your door down for attention and happily unstitching your awning for you if you let them. There are red claw yabbies in the lake as well and a rather unique campground and kiosk. The managers keep a pristine piece of lawn free so that in the evenings the campers can sit on the lawn watching a movie whilst eating fresh cooked fish n chips from the kiosk. When we were there, about 50 of us grey nomads were quaffing wine and sobbing as Patsy Cline died. This is the place to relax for a few days of swimming and nights of stargazing by a fire.