Charters Towers was founded on the discovery of gold and flourished to become the second largest city in Queensland with a population of over 35,000 during the height of mining. Today the city is much smaller in population but the magnificent buildings around the town reflect the richness of a bygone era. Self-guided or guided tours of the buildings around town are a must. Try The Ghosts of Gold Experience for a full virtual tour of the key attractions including the Stock Exchange, Towers Hill and Venus Battery. Explore World War ll bunkers on Towers Hill and a visit to Pioneer’s Cemetery will give an interesting insight into the lives of those in the area from 1872 to 1895. A great day trip is to the Great Wall of Basalt formed by a lava flow thousands of years ago; the township of Ravenswood (the whole town is heritage listed) or fishing on the Burdekin River or at Burdekin Dam. When its time to leave, the road continues through Greenvale, 252 kilometres to The Lynd Junction, then only 91 kilometres to the turn off to Undara Volcanic National Park where you will find the largest lava tube system in the world