Emerald
Town
Population 10999
Shady Moreton Bay fig trees line the main street in Emerald, an attractive town at the hub of the Central Highlands. Emerald was established in 1879 as a service town while the railway from Rockhampton to the west was being constructed. Several fires ravaged the town in the mid-1900s, destroying much of this early history. The largest sapphire fields in the Southern Hemisphere are nearby, where visitors can fossick for their own gems.
Visitor Information
Clermont St; (07) 4982 4142
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
Nearby towns
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Springsure
Mount Zamia towers over Springsure, a small valley town in the Central Highlands, settled in the 1860s. Springsure's early history is...more -
Blackwater
Blackwater is west of Rockhampton in the Capricorn region and is known as the coal capital of Queensland. The coal is transported directly...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
Pioneer Cottage Complex: historic cottage and lock-up gaol with padded cells. There is also a church and a communications museum; Morton Park, Clermont St. Botanic Gardens: walk around native display, herb garden and melaleuca maze. You can also visit a traditional bush chapel and ride the monorail; banks of Nogoa River. Railway station: restored 1900 National Trust–classified station with attractive lacework and pillared portico; Clermont St. Fossilised tree: 250 million years old; in front of town hall. Mosaic pathway: 21 pictures depict 100 years of Emerald history; next to visitor centre. Van Gogh Sunflower Painting: largest one (on an easel) in the world; Morton Park, Clermont St.
Nearby
Sapphire gemfields To the west of Emerald is the largest sapphire-producing area in the Southern Hemisphere, incorporating Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows gemfields. The towns feature walk-in mines, fossicking parks, gem-faceting demonstrations, jewellers and museums. Obtain a licence and map of the mining areas from local stores or the Department of Natural Resources in Emerald to start fossicking. Rubyvale offers 4WD tours of gemfields including Tomahawk Creek; 43 km w.Lake Maraboon/Fairbairn Dam: popular spot for watersports and fishing, especially for the red claw crayfish; 18 km S. Capella: first town settled in the area. See its history at the Capella Pioneer Village. The Crafts Fair and Vintage Machinery Rally is held in Sept; 51 km NW. Local cattle stations and farm stays: day tours in nearby area; details from visitor centre.
Fishing spots near town
Dawson River 216 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 242 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 moreEco-friendly activities around town
Caving - Rockhampton 240 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 moreCampsites around town
Emerald Cabin And Caravan Village - Campsite 1 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 17 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 moreRubyvale Caravan Park 48 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 moreMunall camping area 100 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 moreRotary Shelter Shed camping area 155 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 moreWest Branch camping area 161 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 moreKa Ka Mundi camping area 165 km
With more than 30 km of escarpments and plateaus, the Ka Ka Mundi section of Carnarvon National Park has good wildlife watching; look out for king parrots and red-necked wallabies. It is 130 km south-west of Springsure.... Find out moreBig Bend camping area (walk-in camping) 167 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 moreNuga Nuga Bush camping 168 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 moreDargonelly Rock Hole camping area 169 km
This campground is beside the rock hole at Marlong Creek, accessed by conventional vehicles in dry weather only. Up to 35 people can camp at the site at any one time, and there is a water supply for drinking and cooking... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Discovery Holiday Parks – Lake Maraboon 17 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 45 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 228 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 240 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 241 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 moreCapricorn Caves Tourist Park 242 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 moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Rockhampton 242 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 moreTambo Mill Motel and Caravan Park 245 km
Well-located right in the heart of the main street of Tambo, this park is just a few years old and has great amenities. Everywhere in town is walking distance and the complex has a restaurant. Bookings are required in... Find out moreRest areas around town
Comet Park Area 41 km
Middle of town Small area just off the highway at the Leichhardt Dig Tree Memorial. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 36.383 E148 32.701... Find out moreAnakie Rest Area 42 km
45 km W of Emerald (L) or 125 km E of Alpha (R) Large area just off the highway at the junction with the road into town. Limited shade. GPS: S23 32.696 E147 44.633... Find out moreBluff Park Area 94 km
East side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S23 34.975 E149 04.514... Find out moreDrummond Range Park Area 98 km
110 km W of Emerald (R) or 60 km E of Alpha (L) Small secluded area well off the highway at the lookout. GPS: S23 39.388 E147 12.242 ... Find out moreMitchells Rest Area 126 km
139 km W of Emerald (R) or 31 km E of Alpha (L) Small area adjacent to the highway at the site of a memorial to explorer Major Mitchell. GPS: S23 39.655 E146 55.830... Find out moreGoowarra Rest Area 131 km
26 km W of Duaringa (L) or 10 km E of Dingo (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 39.50 E149 25.41... Find out moreAlpha Park Area 155 km
Middle of town Shady parking area well off the highway on the main street into town. GPS: S23 38.906 E146 38.524... Find out moreDuaringa Rest Area 156 km
East end of town Large area well off the highway among trees. Excellent facilities and shade. GPS: S23 43.18 E149 40.21 ... Find out moreWaverley Creek Rest Area 181 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 moreSt Lawrence Camp Area 191 km
T/O 177 km N of Rockhampton (R) or 157 km S of Mackay (L) Large area 5 kilometres east of the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S22 20.993 E149 31.272... Find out moreMarlborough Rest Area 194 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 moreWhat's on around town
Sunflower Festival: Easter.
Gemfest: Aug.
