Queensland Holidays - Things To See & Do - Best of the Best

For the best things to see and the best places to go, look no further than our comprehensive lists below.

Mareeba
Charters Towers
Emerald
Roma

Mareeba

1. Mareeba Heritage Museum
   Start with the local Aboriginal history, then work through the miners, tobacco growers, soldiers and cattlemen who've passed through this northern crossroads.
2. Mareeba Tropical Savannah & Wetland Reserve
   What was an irrigation channel is now an internationally recognized reclaimed wetland, home to 204 bird species, 20 mammal species and countless fish, frogs and reptiles.
3. Coffee Plantations
   Reputedly the oldest crop on the Tablelands, local coffee is finally gaining the attention it deserves. Take a tour and sample the product.
4. Malanda Dairy Centre & Milk Factory Tours
   Learn about dairying history in the north then head over the road for a look inside a state of the art dairy factory.
5. Tinaroo Falls Dam (Lake Tinaroo)
   Fishing, swimming, bird watching or canoeing, there's a place and an activity for everyone on Lake Tinaroo's massive 210 kilometer shoreline.
6. The Curtain Fig Tree
   Stand in awe at the base of this century old forest giant and its aerial roots that stretch 15 meters from branch to forest floor.
7. Hastie Swamp National Park & Nyleta Wetland
   Get up close and personal to waterbirds from across the Wet Tropics at this purpose built wetland "bird hide".
8. Crater Lakes
   Formed in the exploded craters of now extinct volcanoes, Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine now provide delightful picnic and swimming locations.
9. Hou Wang Chinese Temple and Museum
   On the site of a once thriving Atherton Chinatown, this museum and temple provides a snapshot of life for early Chinese settlers in north Australia.
10. Millaa Millaa Rainforest Loop
    Why chose between three of the Wet Tropics most picturesque waterfalls when you can see them all in the space of one leisurely drive?

Charters Towers

1. Venus Gold Battery
   Discover the ingenuity of the industrial gold miners at this 1872 crushing mill. It's the real thing, minus the heat, the fumes and the desperation of the diggers
2. Towers Hill Lookout
   A modern amphitheatre provides the platform to enjoy the best sunset you'll ever drink to. Watch out for the wallabies and the 'ghosts' (dark film) after dark.
3. The Stock Exchange
   The Charters Towers Stock Exchange operated from this grand arcade from 1890. Catch a "calling of the card", then relax over coffee and cake.
4. World Theatre
   Designed in 1891 for the Australian Joint Stock Bank, this grand building epitomizes the prosperity of Charters Towers at the height of its boom years.
5. Charters Towers Museum
   Plunge in to the social history of Charters Towers through this extensive collection of local artifacts, all with a story to tell.
6. Ay Ot Lookout Historical Home
   Not a lookout at all but a grand old home of fine proportion. Relax on the cool verandah to absorb the ambience of the era.
7. Ambulance Museum
   Head back to the earliest days of the ambulance service in Charters. Observe the evolution of the ambulance and wince at the syringes miners endured in 1900!
8. Dalrymple Sale Yards
   Cattle from throughout the region go under the hammer at this real life auction. The action is fast, the hats are huge and the breakfast is generous.
9. Charters Towers Water Park
   Stocked with barramundi, this cool oasis is a favorite of young and old travelers. Enjoy a Barbie, float a boat or just watch the birds.
10. Pioneer Cemetery
    Charter Tower's first cemetery tells us as much about life in an early mining town, as it does about death. Read the headstones and imagine the rest.

Emerald

• Sapphire Gemfields Experience
  Fall in love with one of Mother Nature's finest gems as you discover the world's largest commercial sapphire fields.
• Fossicking parks
  Great finds are still be had from taking some time and sifting a little earth. Uncover your own prize sapphire - the perfect memento!
• Walk-in Sapphire Mines
  Step underground and see ancient rock faces where gems are the miners rewards.
• Gem cutting
  Watch in awe as gem cutters carefully fashion lumps of stone to exquisite sparkling gemstones before your eyes.
• Fairbairn Dam & Lake Maraboon
  Three times the size of Sydney Harbour, this stunning oasis is renowned for its Redclaw crayfish, barramundi, Murray Cod and Golden Perch.
• Morton Park
  Witness the world's biggest Van Gogh sunflower painting and Pioneer Cottage Complex. Visit the unique visitor information centre - built from straw-bales - then walk the heritage mosaic pathway.
• Emerald Botanic Gardens
  These cherished gardens feature 12 themed gardens set on the banks of the Nogoa River.
• Heritage-Listed Railway Station
  Undoubtedly, the prettiest building in town! Intricate wrought iron lacework and a pillared portico feature on this beautiful building.
• Fossilised Tree
  At the Emerald Town Hall, see a fossilized tree dated to be more than 250 million years old.
• Emerald - Peak Downs Saleyards
  Gain an up-close view of the beef industry when you witness cattle from across the Central Highlands and beyond go under the auctioneer's hammer.

Roma

• The Big Rig
  Celebrate Australia's living history of oil and gas exploration at The Big Rig perfect for all ages.
• Roma Bungil Saleyards
  Witness the excitement as up to 12,000 head of cattle go under the hammer each Tuesday and Thursday at Australia's largest cattle selling centre.
• Heroes Avenue
  Over 100 magnificent bottle trees line, this heritage-listed avenue planted as a memorial to local soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.
• Historical Town Walk
  Discover Roma's colourful history as you walk around the wide streets admiring the many historic architectural landmarks around town.
• Romavilla Winery
  Enjoy a wine tasting at the oldest winery in Queensland - still turning out a fine drop
• Hospital Hill Historic Interpretative Walk
  Visit the exact site where the famous words "Strewth - it's gas" were yelled back in 1900.
• Cultural Centre Bicentennial Mural
  Created by local artists, the 17 elements of this fabulous three-dimensional clay mural are amazing.
• Adungadoo Pathway
  Walk, cycle or jog along this pretty 1.7km pathway from The Big Rig to Bungil Creek.
• Grafton Terrace Drive
  Take this charming drive into the bush - see grass trees hundreds of years old, huge ancient bottle trees dotted across vast grazing lands and wildflowers in spring.
• St Pauls Anglican Church
  The 43 leadlight and stained glass windows dating back to 1876 of this church are truly impressive.