Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Outback Queensland > Charters Towers
Charters Towers
Although Charters Towers is less than two hours inland from Townsville and is not really the true outback, this town is the gateway to the outback and you’ll pass through here if you’re travelling between Townsville and the Northern Territory.
Gold was discovered here in 1871 making it Queensland’s second largest city for a brief period. In its heyday in the 1880s, Charters Towers was home to Australia’s first stock market. Although it’s now only a shadow of its former self, the wealth generated by the gold rush is evident in the city’s grand architecture.
Practical information
Charters Towers Visitor Information Centre
74 Mosman Street, Charters Towers
Tel (07) 4752 0314
Website www.charterstowers.qld.gov.au
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm
Coming & going
Charters Towers lies on the bus and train routes between Townsville and Mount Isa. Trains only pass through here twice a week in each direction. Buses are much a much frequent alternative with daily coaches on the Townsville-Tennant Creek run.
The train station is on Enterprise Road on the eastern edge of Charters Towers and Greyhound (tel 1300 473 946) buses stop at the Woolworths service station.
