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Towns of the Capricorn Highway
Duaringa
Duaringa is the welcoming gateway to the Central Highlands. It is
the oldest township in the area dating back to the 1860’s and the old
Duaringa Hotel has been preserved as a reminder of that pioneering
lifestyle. Mackenzie Park on the east side of town features the unique
Budgeroo or Duaringa Stringy Bark tree and offers camping, electric
barbeques and free hot showers. You can fish the Mackenzie River 20km
to the north along the Apis Creek Road or head 9km south-east down
Aroona Road to wet your line in the Dawson.
Dingo
Dingo is nestled in hundreds of hectares of grazing country and is
named after the native Australian dog that roamed the area. In tribute,
a life-sized bronze statue of a dingo has been placed in the main
street. Dingo is home to the annual World Dingo Trap Throwing
Competition and the township hosts a genuine country race-day at the
same time to celebrate. Dingo is known for its trucks and road trains
and it is not unusual to see 10 triple road trains outside the
roadhouse. Dingo is a convenient access point for exploring the
Blackdown Tableland National Park.
Bluff
Bluff is the major rail assembly depot for the surrounding coal basin and a must for train buffs.
Blackwater
Blackwater is the Coal Capital of Queensland, producing millions on
tonnes of coal each year. The town’s name comes from the simple
explanation that the water in a nearby creek is a darkish colour.
Blackwater prides itself on fine Japanese Gardens which mark her
relationship with Fujisawa, her sister city in Japan. Blackwater now
boast a brand new major attraction, the Blackwater International Coal Centre. Completed in 2008, the centre has quality interpretive displays
the whole family will enjoy, a theatre, and a café.
Popular for boating and camping, Bedford Weir, 26 kilometres north of
Blackwater is well stock with Barramundi and boasts a Saratoga fishing
competition each September.
Comet
The town was named after the Comet River which runs close to the
township. The river itself was named by Ludwig Leichhardt during his
first expedition through Central Queensland, after observing ‘a fine
comet in a small clear spot of the western sky’ in December 1844. Next
to Whistle Stop Park, you can see the tree trunk that Ludwig Leichhardt
marked with ‘DIG’ during his second exploration of the region in 1846.
‘Dig’ indicated to those who followed that he had buried food and
journals in this spot. Visit the Comet Railway Station and view old
photographs and heritage railway bridge plans.
Alpha
West of Emerald along the Capricorn Highway is Alpha which was
established in 1884 to serve railway construction workers. The name
Alpha was taken from the Greek word meaning “the beginning”, and many
locals may argue that it is the beginning of the west. It’s branded
the ‘Town of Murals’ due to the 27 murals painted on buildings
throughout the town. Each mural depicts a different aspect of
pioneering and contemporary rural life. Shade trees, verandahs and
ample seating in the main business centre are enticing and the
experimental native flower garden should be visited. View the art
gallery and railway station museum complex next to the Shire Chambers.
Jericho
Visit the town of Jericho which is built on the river Jordon, south
of Lake Galilee, and see the structure that tells the story of how
Joshua won the “Battle of Jericho”. A striking sculpture, “The Crystal
Trumpeters” is a local artist’s impression of the biblical story of the
“Walls of Jericho”, in which trumpeters marching around the city’s
walls destroyed the town of Jericho. The towns buildings are recreated
in glazed pottery in the Railway station. The town’s history dates back
to 1885 and owes it early development to the railway. The railway has
since closed and Railway Park displays vintage machinery.
