Charters Towers, Qld (136Kms west of Townsville)
What can I say about this unique town? Well, it got its name when gold was found here in 1871 and the surrounding hills were named after the Gold Commissioner, W. Charters, who had offered a reward for gold discoveries in Qld. Charters Towers is one of those towns that has had a colourful past and has managed to keep its colonial architecture.
From a gold rush that produced so much gold that the town had its own grand stock exchange, its history as a busy US air base during the war in the Pacific, and its boarding schools for outback kids. You’ll find war time bunkers built into the hillsides, a pub that was moved across town to a better location, the Venus gold battery where the crushing and smelting took place, and a surprising memorial to the Boer War. There’s a lot to see in the town with the funny name.
In 45 years of operation an estimated 200 tonnes of high-grade gold was extracted from the rock of Charters Towers. 15,000 US Air Force personnel were stationed here during World War Two.
Sources: Charters Towers Information Centre, Wikipedia and a hearty thank you to the residents of Charters Towers in helping me gain an understanding of the life of my two times Great Uncle who was in the 1880’s a Mine Manager of the largest gold mine in this town.
itchingforhitching 
Great post L. How wonderful to learn of that family connection and history.
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It was only a few years earlier than our first visit that I even knew of that relative and thanks to the history folks at Charters I found his house block. He had a colourful life too, that will be a story for another day.
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Beautiful city Qld 👏well shared with information and photos
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Thank you.
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Welcome hi subscribe to my YouTube channel if you don’t have any problems.https://youtube.com/@pritilatanandi2010?si=ccdVKcjgXpa1W5ni.
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I suppose there are still a few who dream of making their fortune by finding a large nugget or two!
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The sale of metal detectors is still a going business in Victoria’s goldfields region. There are many operational gold mines throughout the state. Some say there’s still as much in the ground as what they’ve already found. Then of course, there’s Western Australia’s Super Pit in Kalgoorlie. Kilometres in diameter and deep, they’re extracting a small fortune.
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