Clermont, a rich agricultural community where visitors must be warned – many get an attack of gold fever and some never leave! The town was originally by Hoods Lagoon, but moved after the 1916 devastating floods in which 65 people died. Hoods Lagoon is now parkland and a great place to stop and relax or get the metal detector out and start looking for gold nugget. A replica piano sits in a tree nearby marking the height of the floodwaters. Gold fossickers should call into the Clermont Detectors at the Caravan Park for a fossickers licence, map of areas available, gear if needed or book a guided tour to sites with renowned deposits. The world’s largest seam of steaming coal is located at Blair Athol, 23km from Clermont. Tours of the mine are conducted with bookings through the Information Centre essential. At Belyando Crossing there is a caravan park on the seasonal creek and fuel available. From here, its 203km to historical Charters Towers