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Capella & Surrounds
The distinct Peak Range, a succession of gigantic dome topped
mountains north of Capella, is a photographer’s delight and dominates
the surrounding downs. The modern Cultural Centre offers up to 500
seats for conferences, meetings, workshops or visiting shows and
movies. Capella also boasts an excellent Aquatic Centre with themed
mini golf, and an interesting Agricultural Museum. The Capella Pioneer Village contains over 5000 items grouped into exhibits, such as,
Settlers, the Wool Industry, Railway, Wartime and Grain Farming. Here
you will also find the restored 1869 ‘Peak Downs’ Homestead.
The first European explorer through the Capella area was Ludwig
Leichhardt on his journey through Central Queensland to Port Essington.
Apart from discovering the coal deposits in the area Leichhardt was the
first European to see the dramatic volcanic plugs of the Peak Range. He
described them as 'a range of noble peaks' and proceeded to name them
after members of his expedition.
The Peak Downs area was settled by graziers in the early 1860s and the
town of Capella came into existence in 1883. Prior to that the main
town in the area had been Lilyvale (supposedly named after the lilies
in the local waterhole) which had been surveyed in 1862. However, the
railway line bypassed Lilyvale and it was supplanted by Capella.
Tieri
Tieri is a vibrant mining community supporting the nearby Oaky
Creek coal mining operations, 34 km east of Capella. Bundoora Dam is
located nearby, and large overburden mining heaps parallel the roadway.
Streets in the town centre are named after cattle stations that
originally surrounded the town site.
Clermont
Gold lured early settlers to the area in 1861 and the town was born.
The town was relocated to a higher site nearby in 1916, because floods
destroyed the town. However, the reminders of the original site, like
“The Piano in the Tree” can still be seen today.. Visitors to Clermont
will experience gold prospecting and coal mining. Take a relaxing walk
around Hood’s Lagoon while learning about Clermont’s colourful and
often tragic past. Before you leave, be sure to take a drive through
the spectacular Peak Range. Free tours of Blair Athol Coal Mine are
available at 8.50am on Tuesdays and Fridays. Bookings essential. After
the mine tour, visit historic Copperfield Store
The volunteer Clermont Fish Stocking Group has stocked Theresa Creek
Dam with Barramundi, Golden Perch and Yellow Belly. With a surface area
of abound 300 hectares, the dam was constructed by Blair Athol Coal in
1983 as a water supply for the town of Clermont. Bush camping is
allowed at Theresa Creek Dam, however, a permit is required.
Dysart
Dysart is a friendly community with modern facilities. Established
in 1973, the town caters to the coalmines of Saraji and Norwich Park as
well as the many surrounding cattle and grain properties.
In the mid-1990s Dysart was a thriving community with a population of
about 4500, however restructuring and downsizing of the mining industry
in 1997 saw the population decline to approximately 2500 with a current
population of approximately 4000. Attractions in the area include;
Lords Table Mountain, Campbell’s Peak, and the ‘Dysart Country
Coal-a-Rama’ is held on the third weekend of October and is an absolute
must to attend.
