Blackwater
Town
Population 5030
Blackwater is west of Rockhampton in the Capricorn region and is known as the coal capital of Queensland. The coal is transported directly from coalmines south of town to Gladstone by train. The name 'Blackwater' is not a reference to the effects of mining operations, however, but comes from the discolouration of local waterholes caused by tea trees.
Visitor Information
Central Highlands Regional Council, McKenzie St; (07) 4980 5555
Nearby national parks
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Carnarvon National Park
Tucked away in this vast, rambling park in Queensland’s Central Highlands is the magnificent Carnarvon Gorge. Boasting towering white...more -
Isla Gorge National Park
Isla Gorge National Park, in Queensland’s Central Highlands, lies at the southern end of the Dawson Range and features rugged...more -
Cania Gorge National Park
Cania Gorge, a dramatic landscape of gullies, caves and spectacular 70-metre-high sandstone cliffs, is the centrepiece of this national park...more
Nearby towns
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Emerald
Shady Moreton Bay fig trees line the main street in Emerald, an attractive town at the hub of the Central Highlands. Emerald was...more -
Springsure
Mount Zamia towers over Springsure, a small valley town in the Central Highlands, settled in the 1860s. Springsure's early history is...more -
Clermont
Clermont is in the central highlands south-west of Mackay. It was established over 130 years ago after the discovery of gold at Nelson's...more
In Town
Japanese Garden complex This ornate traditional Japanese garden was constructed over 8 months in 1998. It symbolises the relationship Blackwater shares with its sister town Fujisawa in Japan. The complex also houses the newly opened Blackwater International Coal Centre, which has interactive and interpretive touch-screen displays, a cinema screening films on coal mining and a cafe. There is also a craft shop and information centre that was once the town station. Capricorn Hwy.Lions Park: displays the flags of 37 nations to commemorate the nationality of every worker on the coalmines. In terms of size and variety, the display is second only to that of the United Nations' building in New York; Capricorn Hwy to the west of town. Helicopter flights over Blackwater Coal Mine: see the mine in action; details from visitor centre.
Nearby
Blackdown Tableland National Park This national park offers spectacular scenery over mountains and lowlands, including some beautiful waterfalls. It is the traditional home of the Ghungalu people, whose stencil art can be seen on the 2.8 km Mimosa Culture Track. Walk through to Rainbow Falls Gorge and swim in rockpools. (07) 4986 1964; 30 km E to turnoff.Bedford Weir: dam excellent for fishing; 20 km N. Comet: in town is the Leichhardt Dig Tree, where the explorer buried letters and marked the tree 'dig'; 30 km W.
Fishing spots near town
Dawson River 156 km
Moura is a two-hour drive west of Gladstone. Better known for its prime cattle production and huge coalmines, the township and the nearby Dawson River is not exactly number one on most people’s list of top... Find out moreFitzroy River 169 km
Great fishing rivers flow through some of our best known cities: the Yarra in Melbourne, the Swan in Perth and the Derwent in Hobart, to name a few. One of the best city rivers I have come across is the Fitzroy, which... Find out moreLake Callide 198 km
Built on upper Callide Creek, a Dawson River tributary 20 km east of Biloela (pronounced bilo-wela), this lake supplies cooling waters for the nearby coal-burning power station that’s part of the Boyne Island... Find out moreYeppoon 199 km
Yeppoon, about 30 mins drive north-east of Rockhampton, is the main port for visitors wanting to go to the Keppel Islands. In the harbour at Rosslyn Bay I met up with fourth-generation cattle producer Richard Wilson and... Find out moreWaterpark Creek 203 km
Unlike its namesake Corio Bay at Geelong in Victoria, best known for its snapper and King George whiting, Corio Bay in north Queensland produces trevally, barramundi, threadfin salmon and a host of other tropical... Find out moreCania Dam 244 km
Located close to Monto, Cania Dam holds yellowbelly, silver perch and Australian bass to 3 kg. Cania’s big drawcard though is the saratoga. Initially stocked with only 200 individuals, the saratoga have bred to a... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Emerald Botanic Garden 74 km
Pack a picnic and explore the 42-hectare Emerald Botanic Garden on the banks of the Nagoa River. It has 6 kilometres of walks, and gardens representing major plant communities in central Queensland (with 90 per cent of... Find out moreCaving - Rockhampton 168 km
Escape the sunshine for a while with an hourlong, eco-certified tour of Capricorn Caves, 23 kilometres north of Rockhampton. These caves feature intricately sculpted formations and the tour includes an optional... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Capricorn Resort (Championship course) 201 km
The late 1980s and early ’90s were days of a course building boom in Queensland, on the Gold Coast especially. But one developer, the Japan-based Iwasaki Group, chose a relatively isolated location near Yeppoon,... Find out moreCampsites around town
Munall camping area 33 km
Also known as Mimosa Creek, this camping area is 8 km from the park entrance and can be reached with a conventional vehicle. There are 16 numbered sites with a maximum of 6 per site, ideal for camping beside your car.... Find out moreEmerald Cabin And Caravan Village - Campsite 73 km
Overlooking Emerald's 18 hole golf course, this caravan park has an excellent range of facilities including drive-through powered sites, a laundry and camp kitchen with gas barbecue, microwave and fridge. The camping... Find out moreLake Maraboon Holiday Village 83 km
Said to be 3 times the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Maraboon is a major destination for fishing and boating enthusiasts year-round. The caravan park has excellent facilities: swimming pool, cabins, licensed restaurant,... Find out moreNeville Hewitt Weir camping area 116 km
Hugely popular in the winter months, this beautiful riverside campground in the town of Baralaba is a favourite with campers from southern Australian states looking to escape the cold weather in a picturesque spot. The... Find out moreRubyvale Caravan Park 122 km
An ideal base for a holiday exploring the gem fields, this campground is s short stroll from the general store, post office, jewellery shops and gem cutters in Rubyvale. Facilities on-site include laundry, iron, camp... Find out moreNuga Nuga Bush camping 154 km
Self-sufficient visitors can camp at this site on the banks of Lake Nuga Nuga. Access (in dry weather only) is via the main road to the park, 7 km from Arcadia Valley Access Rd. The surface is a combination of dirt and... Find out moreRotary Shelter Shed camping area 171 km
Four-wheel drives are required to access this camping area, about 17 km north-east of the park office. There are no defined sites, but a maximum of 15 people can camp at any one time. Bring all self-sufficient goods and... Find out moreBig Bend camping area (walk-in camping) 175 km
Great for experienced walkers and campers, this site is reached by a 9.7 km walk from the visitor information centre through the gorge; there’s no access for vehicles. Once there, you’ll find a small... Find out moreCarnarvon Gorge camping area 176 km
Camping is permitted here only during certain Queensland school holidays: Easter, winter and spring. There are 35 numbered campsites, plenty of room for large groups, and good shade under gum trees and cabbage palms.... Find out moreWest Branch camping area 178 km
This site is near the west branch of the Maranoa River and can be reached by conventional vehicles in dry weather only. Open fires are permitted only at existing fire rings; check for fire bans. No generators are... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Discovery Holiday Parks – Lake Maraboon 82 km
This park is located 18 km south-west of Emerald on the shores of Lake Maraboon, a popular spot for watersports and fishing. Red-claw crayfish are a major attraction. Many visitors come specifically to stay at Lake... Find out moreBlue Gem Caravan Park 119 km
For those interested in trying their luck on the gemfields, this park is a good base. It forms part of a shop and service station complex and is centrally located in Sapphire on the banks of Retreat Creek, where... Find out moreMount Morgan Motel and Van Park 154 km
A very tidy basic park, ideal for an overnight stay or a few days in Mount Morgan, this spot allows you to explore the historic town from a very suitable base.... Find out moreSouthside Holiday Village 167 km
This is a quality park on the southern approaches to Rockhampton, 3.5 km from the city centre. Enjoy the heated swimming pool and the camp kitchen here. This is a good base for a stay in Rockhampton. Bookings are... Find out moreRiverside Tourist Park 169 km
This is a very popular council park on the banks of the river, a short walk across the bridge from the city centre. It is a place that will suit those looking for a quality, no-frills stay. Bookings are required in peak... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Rockhampton 170 km
This is a great park on the north side of Rockhampton, easily accessible from the highway. There is a licensed restaurant, half tennis court, minigolf course, pool and coffee shop. This is a good base in Rockhampton.... Find out moreCapricorn Caves Tourist Park 171 km
This good quality park forms part of the Olsens Caves complex. It is just walking distance from the caves, which are worth a visit. The park has a cafe. We enjoyed our visit. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBeachside Caravan Park 198 km
This is a popular beachside park with good basic facilities, located on the shores of Keppel Bay. Bookings are required in peak holiday periods.... Find out moreIsland View Caravan Park 200 km
This is a popular, good quality park opposite the beach, just 14 km south of Yeppoon. It is in a great holiday area; bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies over Christmas and Easter.... Find out moreBIG4 Capricorn Palms Holiday Village 200 km
Set back from the coast this is a spacious quality park on a large parcel of land. There are extensive facilities and it is a great place for a holiday. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreRest areas around town
Marlborough Rest Area 134 km
T/O 104 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 230 km S of Mackay (L) Large area well off the highway among some trees on the road into town. GPS: S22 48.988 E149 53.274 ... Find out moreWaverley Creek Rest Area 141 km
169 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 165 km S of Mackay (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 26.361 E149 28.516... Find out moreWhat's on around town
May Day Festival: May.
World Dingo Trap Throwing Competition: July.
Rodeo: Oct.
Craft Fair and Art Exhibition: regional arts and crafts exhibit; Oct.
