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Mount Morgan

Population 2444

Located in the Capricorn region south-west of Rockhampton is the quaint historic mining town of Mount Morgan. Said to be the largest single mountain of gold in the world, Mount Morgan's gold supply was discovered and mined from the late 1800s. What was a big mountain is now a big crater – the largest excavation in the Southern Hemisphere. In the mine's heyday, around 1910, the town was home to about 14 000 people.

Visitor Information

Heritage Railway Station, 1 Railway Pde; (07) 4938 2312

www.mountmorgan.com

Nearby national parks

  • 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

  • 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

  • Carnarvon National Park

    Tucked away in this vast, rambling park in Queensland’s Central Highlands is the magnificent Carnarvon Gorge. Boasting towering white...more

Nearby towns

  • Rockhampton

    Rockhampton is a prosperous city that straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. It is known as the beef capital of Australia, with some 2.5...more

  • Yeppoon

    The popular coastal resort of Yeppoon lies on the shores of Keppel Bay. Yeppoon and the beaches to its south – Cooee Bay, Rosslyn Bay,...more

  • Biloela

    This thriving town in the fertile Callide Valley is part of the Banana Shire, but do not expect to find any bananas grown here. The area was...more

In Town

Railway Station: historic station with tearooms, rail museum and a restored 1904 Hunslett Steam Engine that operates regularly; Railway Pde. Historical Museum: varied collection of memorabilia traces history of this mining town; Morgan St. Historic suspension bridge: built in the 1890s and spans the Dee River. Historic cemetery: features the Chinese Heung Lew (prayer oven) and the Linda Memorial to men killed in underground mines (1894–1909); off Coronation Dr. The Big Stack: 76 m high 1905 brick chimney used to disperse mining fumes; at the mine site.

Nearby

The Big Dam: good boating and fishing; 2.7 km N via William St. Wowan: town featuring the Scrub Turkey Museum in old butter factory; 40 km SW. Tours: tour to the open-cut Mount Morgan Mine and ancient clay caves with dinosaur footprints; details available from visitor centre.

Fishing spots near town

Fitzroy River 32 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 more


Yeppoon 69 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 more


Lake Callide 83 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 more


Waterpark Creek 88 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 more


Lake Awoonga 104 km

The jewel in the crown of the Bass to Barra Trail, Lake Awoonga is Queensland’s premier barramundi impoundment. Clean waters, the result of a largely undisturbed watershed, contain barramundi, mangrove jack,... Find out more


Dawson River 116 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 more


Cania Dam 126 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 more


Wuruma Dam 181 km

Situated 35 km north of Eidsvold, this 18 sq km little-known water contains Australian bass, barramundi, saratoga, silver perch, yellowbelly and sleepy cod. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is required. There is a large... Find out more


Lake Monduran 200 km

Lake Monduran is near Gin Gin, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. Although it appears narrow, it has a surface area of 53 sq km and a holding capacity of 585 900 ML of water, which is about 1.6... Find out more


Eco-friendly activities around town

Caving - Rockhampton 32 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 more


Emerald Botanic Garden 228 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 more


Golf courses around town

Capricorn Resort (Championship course) 75 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 more


Campsites around town

Sandfly camping area 58 km

This site for self-sufficient campers is on the western boundary of the national park. As the name suggests, sandflies and mosquitoes are a major problem here, so bring repellent and wear appropriate clothing.... Find out more


Divided Island 66 km

Self-sufficient campers can pitch at tent at this small campground. The maximum number of people permitted to camp at the site is 6; there are no facilities. The beach on the western side is a recommended spot for... Find out more


Pelican Island 67 km

Camping is restricted to 6 people at any one time on Pelican Island and no facilities are provided. Suitable for self-sufficient campers only.... Find out more


Middle Island 76 km

Picnic tables are the only facilities here so this site suits self-sufficient campers only (maximum of 18 campers); bring a gas/fuel stove. Reefs at Olive Point headland in the north-east are good for snorkelling and... Find out more


Miall Island 76 km

This tiny camping site behind the foredunes only has space for 6 self-sufficient campers and there are no facilities besides picnic tables. Reefs on the south-eastern and northern sides of the island are recommended for... Find out more


Humpy Island 76 km

The national park’s most popular camping area, Humpy Island has space for up to 60 self-sufficient campers. The campground is on the island’s northern beach; taps throughout the site provide bore water not... Find out more


North Keppel Island – Considine Beach Campground 82 km

This site with space for 75 self-sufficient campers is at the southern end of Considine Beach on the western side of the island. Sandflies and mosquitoes are common so come prepared, and secure your food well to avoid... Find out more


Upper Stony camping area 82 km

Adjacent to Stony Creek, this campground is in a great location close to swimming and bushwalking. There are 18 numbered sites and some are suitable for vans and camper trailers. Automated barbecues are in the day-use... Find out more


Conical Island 83 km

Conical Island has a small camping area with space for 6 campers. There are picnic tables but no other facilities so you need to be self-sufficient. Coral reefs to the west of the island are easy snorkelling distance... Find out more


Neville Hewitt Weir camping area 84 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 more


Caravan parks around town

Mount Morgan Motel and Van Park 2 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 more


Southside Holiday Village 29 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 more


Riverside Tourist Park 33 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 more


Discovery Holiday Parks – Rockhampton 36 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 more


Capricorn Caves Tourist Park 54 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 more


Bell Park Caravan Park 62 km

This is a great council park with large grassy areas on a picturesque coastline. Just walk over the dunes to the beach or stroll to the centre of town. There is a pool and playground beside the caravan park. Bookings are... Find out more


Island View Caravan Park 63 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 more


BIG4 Capricorn Palms Holiday Village 65 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 more


Beachside Caravan Park 69 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 more


BIG4 Barney Beach 93 km

This is a quality park with a good range of facilities and spotless amenities. It is in a quiet area away from the centre of town and just 80 metres from the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more


Hotels, motels & B&Bs around town

Leichhardt Hotel

It’s not grand in the modern sense of the word, but if you are among those who pine for the days when the local pub was the heart of the community, then book yourself into one of its 12 rooms. All of them open onto... Find out more


Eco-friendly places to stay around town

Wilson Island 161 km

Only six couples are allowed at a time on this tiny 2-hectare coral cay, staying in minimal-impact luxury tents with wooden floors. All power is provided by solar power and batteries, and the eco-accredited resort uses... Find out more


Rest areas around town

Yaamba Rest Area 57 km

East side of town Large area just off the highway next to the roadhouse. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 08.114 E150 22.119... Find out more


Mount Larcom Park Area 63 km

North side of town Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 48.653 E150 58.802... Find out more


Calliope River Rest Area 86 km

21 km N of Benaraby (L) or 30 km S of Mount Larcom (R) Large area located well off the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S23 57.675 E151 09.142... Find out more


Boyne River Rest Area 105 km

31 km N of Bororen (L) or 1 km S of Benaraby (R) Large area just off the highway on the banks of the Boyne River. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S24 00.650 E151 20.433... Find out more


Marlborough Rest Area 105 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 more


Bororen Park Area 131 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S24 14.579 E151 29.756  ... Find out more


What's on around town

Lions Club Market: Apex Park Cemetery; 3rd Sat each month.

Golden Mount Festival: May.

Mount Morgan Show: Aug.

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