Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia, is marked by the Tropic of Capricorn Spire at the visitor centre on Gladstone Road. Visit Mount Archer, and the restored Archer Park Railway Station for a dose of nature and history before heading west through Duaringa to Dingo which is famous for the World Championship Dingo Trap Contest held annually. If you've got time, detour 11 kilometres to the Blackdown Tableland National Park. This park protects spectacular sandstone scenery with magnificent gorges and waterfalls. The nearby Blackwater is the heart of coal production in Central Queensland. Emerald is the hub of the Central Highlands and the gateway to the Sapphire Gemfields. It offers shopping, restaurants and a range of accommodation. Local sights include the historic Emerald railway station, the Botanic Gardens, Pioneer Village and Museum, an art gallery or two, Town Hall's fossilised tree and the huge reproduction of Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'. Visit Lake Maraboon, formed by the huge and intimidating Fairbairn Dam, which is a 30 minute drive from Emerald. The lake is three times the size of Sydney Harbour, so there is plenty of space for picnics and watersports.