TAKE THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ADVENTURE

Central Queensland lies on the Tropic of Capricorn and is a gem of a place in more ways than one. There are few parts of Australia where the names of the towns so reflect their character, as in the Central Highlands and Sapphire Gemfields. Emerald, Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows Gemfields - if you don't strike it rich here, you'll have a good time trying.

Emerald is located 263 kilometres west of Rockhampton and is the hub of the Central Highlands, offering great shopping, first class accommodation and restaurants. Local places of attraction include the beautiful Botanic Gardens, the restored railway station, modern art gallery and library and the world's biggest sunflower painting on an easel.

Close by is the Fairbairn Dam and Lake Maraboon. For those who like to dangle a line, the lake is stocked with fish and redclaw or you can just relax and enjoy the picnic area.

Each year Emerald hosts the Easter Sunflower Festival and Ag-Grow Field Days in July, while Capella hosts the Pioneer Village Crafts and Vintage Machinery Fair in September and Pro-bullride Championship in September. The Central Highlands Show circuit keeps everybody on their toes in May and the Springsure races is on in March. Clermont is the place to be for Goldfest in August and the Belyando Beef Expo in October.

The region becomes a hive of activity with thousands attracted to the earth's treasures festival of Gemfest - Festival of Gems, held on the second weekend in August. The Sapphire Gemfields are the largest commercial sapphire fields in the southern hemisphere and fossicking licences for all who want to have a go are readily available.

High quality sapphires, zircons and other gems are cut and polished on the premises of the many retail outlets on the Gemfields, and if you are lucky enough to find your own sapphire, you'll catch what the locals call "gem fever", which is bound to bring you back for another visit.

There are many motels and caravan parks available for our visitors or you might like to relax and unwind for a night or two at a farmstay - and experience an authentic Australian bush holiday - or one of the bed and breakfast accommodations scattered throughout the Central Highlands. 

The wealth of the Central Highlands is not just in its Gemfields. The area abounds in history and there are many historical sites well worth a visit. These include the Capella Pioneer Village, the historic township of Clermont, the remnants of Copperfield, Springsure's Old Rainworth Fort and Hospital, the Museum and weed identification display at Bogantungan, the first tractor to work on the Highlands at Gindie and the historic Leichhardt Dig Tree at Comet.

Recreational activities are well catered for with bowls and golf clubs (including the sand green golf club at Alpha), standard and heated swimming pools, squash courts, a driving range, cinemas, live theatre, art galleries, a science centre, fishing spots, Lake Maraboon activities, parkland walks and self drive tours. 

The Central Highlands is famous for its Carnarvon National Park. The Carnarvon Gorge is characterised by a deep sandstone gorge, draped in lush green palms and ferns. There are walking tracks through the beautiful Gorge, moss gardens, much bird and wildlife and Aboriginal Art. Visitors may stay in the comfort of a cabin or camp near the park. 

The western boundary of the Central Highlands includes the townships of Alpha and Jericho. Alpha's striking Street Murals are a popular attraction, whilst Jericho takes pride in the Crystal Trumpeters, a prominent sculpture in the main street.

The grandeur of the Central Highlands and Gemfields can only be experienced by visiting them.

Take the time - YOU'LL BE SURPRISED AT WHAT YOU MIGHT DIG UP!