Cotton harvesting and loading near Emerald

Emerald
Prosperous country town servicing the surrounding region.
Emerald is located on the Nogoa River 263 km west of Rockhampton and 909 km from Brisbane (via Rockhampton). It is a typical thriving rural centre with a good sized TAFE college, a rural training college (in very pleasant surroundings), a large number of farm machinery sales outlets, a cotton gin, a huge irrigation dam and an airport. Established in 1879, it has slowly grown to be the major regional centre of the Central Highlands and the gateway to the Central Western district. The Capricorn hinterland contains the largest sapphire gemfields in the world.

Like most of the towns of the Central Highlands, Emerald claims that Ludwig Leichhardt was the first European in the area. It has a better claim than most (with the obvious exception of Taroom) in the sense that Leichhardt named the nearby Comet River after seeing a comet and he inscribed the word 'Dig' on a tree by the banks of the river. The tree is now in the Queensland Museum in Brisbane.

After Leichhardt's glowing reports on the fertility of the region (who could not be impressed by the rich black clay soils) land was taken up and in 1860 one of the local properties was named 'Emerald Downs' by the area's first settler P. F. MacDonald who was impressed with the lush greenness of the district after rain.

In the 1860s both gold and copper were found in the area and there was a brief flurry of interest.

The town was established in 1879 as a base for the railway line which was reaching out from Rockhampton into the Central West. Unfortunately, little is left of Emerald's early history as it was ravaged by major fires in 1936, 1940, 1954 and 1968.

Emerald would have continued as a small town had it not been for a decision made in 1948 by the British Food Corporation to grow sorghum in the area. This highlighted the suitability of the local soil to crop growing. To strengthen the agricultural base of the area the huge Fairbairn Dam, located south of the town, on the road to Springsure, was built in 1972 with a storage capacity of 1, 440, 000 ML. This facilitated the shift of the shire's economic focus from cattle to crops. It now produces over 25 % of Queensland's cotton.

Lake Maraboon, which has been dammed by Fairbairn Dam, is vast and its waters have become a popular leisure haunt for the Emerald townsfolk.

Things to see:  

The Historical Precinct
One building which is still standing is the Emerald Pioneer Cottage (turn north off the Capricorn Highway at Borilla Street and follow the signs) which was built as a shop on Clermont Street around 1880. It was moved to its present site in the 1980s. It is now part of a small historical village which includes the town's lockup (built in 1910 and still operating in 1970), St Marks Presbyterian Church (built in 1884) and a Communications Museum which has important memorabilia tracing the town's written and sound communications history.

The Emerald Railway Station

Emerald Railway Station
The most impressive building in Emerald is undoubtedly the Emerald Railway Station in Clermont Street. Classified by the National Trust it is arguably the finest building in the Central Highlands. Made out of chamferboard it boasts an elaborate central entry porch with much iron lacework and some impressive cast-iron columns.

Lake Maraboon
Lake Maraboon, which has been dammed by Fairbairn Dam, is vast (larger than Sydney Harbour) and its waters have become a popular leisure haunt for the Emerald townsfolk.

Fossilised Wood
Outside the Emerald Town Hall in Egerton Street is a piece of fossilised wood estimated to be 250 million years old. It was dug up in 1979 when a new railway bridge was being built across the Mackenzie River. Discovered in the year of Emerald's centenary it was presented to the town by the company operating the Gregory Mine to the north.

Information Centre
The Tourist Information Centre is located to the west of the town centre on the highway and is interestingly housed in the old Operating Theatre building from the local hospital. It is worth a visit even if you have no enquiries.

The Emerald Cotton Gin
Located on Springsure Rd, 3 km out of Emerald, the gin used to run free tours but, sadly, Occupational Health and Safety concerns have closed this fascinating experience down. It is no longer open for visitors.

	Tourist Information
	Central Highlands Tourist Organisation Clermont St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 4142
	Motels
	A&A Lodge Motel Clermont St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 2355 Rating: ***
	Emerald Highlands 5 Cypress Dve Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1922 Rating: ***
	Emerald Maraboon Tavern & Motor Inn Cnr Hospital & Esmond Sts Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 0777 Rating: ***
	Emerald Meteor Egerton St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1166 Rating: ***
	Emerald Tower Motor Inn Hospital Rd Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 2100 Rating: **
	Motel 707 Ruby St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1707 Rating: **
	Western Gateway Motel Theresa St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 3899 Rating: ***
	Hotels
	Emerald Hotel 73 Clermont St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1810
	Star Hotel/Motel Cnr Clermont & Egerton Sts Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1422 Rating: **
	Farm & Eco Holidays
	Freshfields Farm Gregory Hwy 32 km north of Emerald Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4984 9656
	Caravan Parks
	Emerald Caravan Park 64 Opal St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1300 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	ABC Chinese Restaurant 69 Clermont St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1790
	Cisco's Coffee Shop and Italian Restaurant Clerana Arc. Anakie St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 4482
	Emerald Meteor Motel Egerton St Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 1166
	Maraboon Tavern Cnr Hospital & Esmond Sts Emerald QLD 4720 Telephone: (07) 4982 0777 Rating: