Grandpa’s Guide to Driving Charters Towers

Good day my friends! Last week, I went to another one of my travels! This time it's Charters Towers —a whole new experience!

Charters Towers is a city located in the northern area of Queensland, Australia. With a population of approximately 7,979, it is about 137 kilometers inland from Townsville via Flinders Highway.

The city’s location is mildly elevated at about 300 meters above sea-level. Even though only slightly elevated, the effect in its humidity (decreases) and temperature (increases) variations are very noticeable. And it acquires its supply of water from the nearby Burdekin River.

Some of the notable people who lived in Charters Towers are William Edward Harney —an Australian writer, Cecil Aynsley —a member of the Queensland Rugby League team of the century, Andrew Symonds —an Australian Test cricketer, and Wilhelm Iwan —who lived in Charter Towers for nine years and authored a book describing his experiences in the place.

Before, Wilhelm Iwan wrote about his experiences in Charters Towers. Now, it’s my turn. *laughing* I only spent a few days in Charter Towers but I assure you that I really had so much fun!

1. Charters Towers Folk Museum

I decided to check out first the history of the city and went to the Charter Towers Folk Museum. The museum is located at Mosman Street (at the corner of Mary Street).

The museum takes pride in it large collection of photographs, equipments, and other memorabilia that depicts Charter Towers’ golden past. There are also volunteers and staff who are wholeheartedly willing to share their unique stories and to demonstrate some of the equipments which are housed in the Burns Philip building (The building was built in 1888!). And the favorite among the exhibits is the flying fox (or the Lampson Aerial Cash System from the Pollards building.)

Charter Towers also has a military history (from the Boer War to the Vietnam conflict) housed in the Charles Wallace Military Display. You’ll also have a chance to see one of the many heart-melting pieces from the World War I —a pair of half-knitted socks abandoned when a mother received news that her son has been killed. (You’ll see them exactly as she left them 100 years ago!)

The Museum was really awesome!

2. Lissner Park

Located in Deane Street, Lissner Park is only one of the many beautiful parks in Charters Towers. The park was named after Isidor Siegfried Lissner (he arrived in Charters Towers in 1873) who developed a financial empire due to mining and commercial interests. Due to his keen interest in community affairs, he pushed for the establishment of sporting facilities and public services (and Lissner Park is included in these establishments).

The park is a cozy place for a picnic. Its 7-hectare area covers the Boer War Kiosk, the Band Rotunda, children’s playground, World War One guns, Federation Fountain, memorials to William Hann and pioneer Jupiter Mossman, and a duck pond. The park is also well lit thus making it another beautiful place for evening picnics! And who said that picnic is only fun during the day?!

This is the place where I first experienced an evening picnic (dinner is way different from an evening picnic)!

Oh yes, Charter Towers was a nice place. Come to think of it, there are many parks around the world. But only a few a very well lit during the night. By the way, for my trip, I had a car booked with Charters Towers Car Rental. I was really in a hurry and was sure lucky to have booked a car in just a few clicks! Vroom Vroom Vroom —all you’ll ever need when it comes to car rentals.

-Grandpa Ben