Queensland Holidays - Destinations - Emerald

270km west of Rockhampton the thriving regional centre of Emerald is full of tourist gems. Make your first point of call the Visitor Information Centre, which is an attraction within itself. The building is the first 'straw-bale' Visitor Information Centre in Queensland. Yes, that's right, the walls are made from bales of straw!

Outside the Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway leads you through 100 years in 100 metres of Emerald's colourful history. It runs along side the Pioneer Cottage Complex which showcases some of Emerald's oldest buildings. A must see is the 'Big Easel'; a 25 metre re-creation of one of Vincent Van Gogh's vibrant 'Sunflower' paintings. Other attractions are a 250 million year-old fossilised tree outside the Town Hall and the heritage-listed railway station built in 1900.

Situated on the banks of the Nogoa River the Emerald Botanic Gardens are a credit to the town. Covering an area of 42 hectares, the gardens provide not only a place to relax and unwind, but also an opportunity to gain further insight into the region's natural environments. There are over six kilometres of walking tracks and many points of interest such as the Federation Pillars and Yarn Pit, Bush Chapel and Marathon Mill.

Lake Maraboon and Fairbairn Dam are situated 18km south-west of Emerald. The lake is popular for boating, water sports, picnicking and fishing. It is most famous however for its stock of Redclaw crayfish so take the opportunity to try your luck at catching some of these local delicacies and throw them on the BBQ.