Local Area

Fairbairn Dam / Lake Maraboon

Fairbairn Dam has 3 times more water in it than Sydney Habour. Locals love to take their boats out and go water skiing.  It has been loaded with 8 species of fish, it also has red claw. 

There is a small sandy shore where you can go swimming. Free electric BBQ & picnic table for you to set and enjoy a lovely bbq during the day or in the evening watching the sunset. 

Only 15mins drive from Emerald.

Largest Van Gogh Sunflower painting

The world's biggest Van Gogh sunflower painting is situated in Morton Park, Emerald.

Emerald, famous as a major sunflower producer, is home to the world's biggest Van Gogh sunflower painting on an easel.

The huge painting is 25 metres high with approximately 13.6 tonnes of steel used in the making.

Virgin Rock Springsure

Visit the iconic Virgin Rock situated on Mount Zamia. Its name is derived from the figure appearing in the town-facing side of the rock that looks like the Virgin Mary cradling the baby Jesus.

See if you can spot these figures at night time when Virgin Rock is floodlit for all to see.

Capella Pioneer Village

The Capella Pioneer Village is located in Pioneer St, next to Gregory Hwy. It has grown to a significant repository of the Central Highlands region’s pastoral and agricultural history, including the largest restored drop-plank construction homestead in Australia.

The Village Collection contains over 5000 individual items that can be broadly grouped into the following exhibits:

1. Settlers – 1869, 1883, 1900, 1907, 1927, 1948, 1956
2. Central Highlands Wool Industry and Origins of the Great Shearers Strike
3. The Railway Lifeline
4. Wartime Remembrances
5. The Peak Downs Scheme (Queensland-British Food Corporation)
6. Broadacre Grain Farming

The Capella Pioneer Village annual Old Machinery and Craft Fair is held on the second Saturday of September at the Village grounds at the northern end of Capella’s main street. There is something for everyone with craft stalls, entertainment, food, fashion parade, blacksmithing and vintage engines and tractors rallying.

Blackwater International Coal Centre

The Blackwater International Coal Centre arose from a vision of Duaringa Shire Council in 2003 which was supported and developed by major coal producers BMA Blackwater mine and Wesfarmers Curragh Coal.

The goal was to provide a sophisticated and enduring platform for showcasing the mighty Australian Coal Industry and the associated industries that underpin the state and federal economies. The BICC has not only become an iconic landmark for visitors to Central Queensland but also serves as an accessible and valuable space that improves quality of life for local residents. 

The Coal Centre runs open-cut mine tours to Blackwater Mine on Wednesdays and Fridays dependent on weather.  See further information about our Mine Tours on this website www.bicc.com.au or tel: 07 4982 7755 or email us on info@bicc.com.au.