Clermont
Town
Population 1851
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 Gully. At first the settlement was at Hood's Lagoon, but was moved to higher ground after a major flood in 1916 in which 63 people died. To the east of Clermont are the prominent cone-shaped mountains of Peak Range National Park. The Wolfgang Peak between Clermont and Mackay is particularly spectacular.
Visitor Information
Cnr Herschel and Karmoo sts; (07) 4983 4755
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 -
Eungella National Park
Situated in the rugged Clarke Range, high above the surrounding plains, this mountainous national park is rent by deep gorges and contains...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 -
Moranbah
Moranbah is a modern mining town south-west of Mackay. It was established in 1969 to support the huge open-cut coalmines of the expanding...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
In Town
Hood's Lagoon and Centenary Park Walk the boardwalks in this picturesque setting to see the colourful birdlife. The park has interesting memorials and monuments that include the Sister Mary MacKillop grotto, an Aboriginal monument and a war memorial. The tree marker at the flood memorial plaque demonstrates how high the water rose. Access via Lime St.Railway Wagon Murals: paintings on 4 original wagons depict industries within the Belyando Shire; Hershel St. The Stump: memorial to the 1916 flood; Cnr Drummond and Capricorn sts.
Nearby
Cemetery: headstones dating back to 1860s and mass grave of 1916 flood victims; 2.5 km NE. Clermont Museum and Heritage Park: museum exhibits historic artefacts and machinery, including the steam engine used to shift the town after flood and historic buildings, such as the old Masonic lodge, with displays of local family histories; open daily, times vary; (07) 4983 3311; 4 km NW. Remnants of Copperfield: old coppermining town with museum in original Copperfield store, chimneystack, and cemetery containing 19th-century graves of copperminers; 5 km S. Theresa Creek Dam: popular spot for waterskiing, sailboarding and fishing (permit required). Bushwalks nearby; off Peakvale Rd; 17 km SW. Blair Athol open-cut mine: free half-day tour to see the largest seam of steaming coal in the world; departs from Clermont Visitor Centre; Blair Athol; 23 km NW. Blackwood National Park: 187 km NW; see Charters Towers. Fossicking for gold: obtain licence and fossicking kit to start the search in nearby area; details from visitor centre.
Fishing spots near town
Teemburra Dam 208 km
Mackay has excellent freshwater options. The most popular venues are the region’s dams in the Pioneer Valley – Teemburra, Eungella and Kinchant. Of these, the best known is Teemburra in Eungella National... Find out morePioneer River 226 km
Fishing from a canoe is one of the best ways to get close and personal with the environment. Even when the fish are small, catching them from a canoe is both challenging and rewarding. With that in mind, I jumped at the... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Emerald Botanic Garden 94 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 moreCampsites around town
Rubyvale Caravan Park 66 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 moreEmerald Cabin And Caravan Village - Campsite 94 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 102 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 moreMunall camping area 184 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 moreThe Diggings camping area 201 km
The forest here still contains relics from gold mining exploration during the 1880s. Self-sufficient campers can use this site near Eungella Dam Rd. There are no facilities and it is access is dry-weather only. ... Find out moreEungella Dam camping area 201 km
Eungella Dam, 40 km north-west of Eungella, is a popular place for all manner of watersports. The fishing is good too, as the dam is well stocked with sooty grunter and barramundi. You need to be totally self-sufficient... Find out moreThe Lake Campground 203 km
Camp on the shores of freshwater Lake Dunn, 68 kilometres north-east of Aramac. Traditional owners call it Pajingo Bola (Big Fella Waterhole), but this is desert country so you might find it too shallow for swimming or... Find out moreFern Flat Campground 204 km
Along the Mackay Highlands Great Walk track, 5 km south of Eungella, this campground is just 600 m from the carpark and picnic area at Broken River. The site has toilets and water, but you’ll need to visit the... Find out moreCaptain’s Crossing camping area 208 km
Camp beside lovely Teemburra Creek at this campground and picnic spot. There are no facilities; bring all self-sufficient supplies including drinking water and firewood (a gas/fuel stove is preferred). Access is by 4WD... Find out morePlatypus Bush Camp 220 km
Hot showers with rainforest views and a superb open-air camp kitchen are some of the excellent facilities at this popular campground. The camping area has plenty of space for groups, or you can stay in the tree-house... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Blue Gem Caravan Park 72 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 moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Lake Maraboon 103 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 moreThe Park Mackay 240 km
This is a large park and the tourist van sites are at the rear, furthest away from the highway. There are good facilities and it is a popular base for travellers. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreSt Helens Gardens Caravan Park 243 km
A basic park with good facilities, this place is set back from the highway beside Kolijo Creek, 1 km south of the Calen Post Office. This is a good overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreAndergrove Van Park 248 km
Sweeping lawns are visible as you enter this excellent park set in a quiet, off-road position with easy access from the Bruce Highway. It has good features at a reasonable price and is an ideal base for exploring the... Find out moreRest areas around town
Anakie Rest Area 81 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 moreEmerald Park Area 94 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S23 31.485 E148 09.387... Find out moreDrummond Range Park Area 102 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 118 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 moreComet Park Area 127 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 moreAlpha Park Area 137 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 moreBluff Park Area 170 km
East side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S23 34.975 E149 04.514... Find out moreJericho Park Area 177 km
Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway in the middle of town. GPS: S23 36.113 E146 07.426 ... Find out moreWaverley Creek Rest Area 194 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
Rodeo: Apr.
Clermont Show: May.
Campdraft: June.
Gold and Coal Festival: Aug.
Country Music Festival: Oct.
