Day 6: 22/8/25, Chilligoe.

  Day 6: 22/8/25,  Chilligoe.

 We spent today touring around the historic mining site of Chilligoe and visiting some of the rock formations in the nearby area.

The site itself is not accessible due to contamination issues but there are some excellent viewing area's and plenty of information plaques. Was very hot walking around so had to keep the water bottles handy. 

 

Intricate brick work of one of the smelter chimney’s

 

 

Slag heap which no doubt contains a lot of minerals due to the poor efficiency of the processing techniques of the time. Unfortunately, it also contains high concentrations of asbestos and other contaminants. No doubt AI robots will process this eventually. Yes, it’s a very flat heap as they used railway cars to dump the slag, moving them around to keep the pile flat.

 

Walsh River valley, Chilligoe is on the edge of a fault between the ancient lands and the great marine basin and is surrounded by giant limestone deposits.


Remains of the Chilligoe Smelters, most of the machinery was dismantled and sent to Mt Isa


What is left of the mine equipment.


The rock formations are fascinating


Didn’t think I should walk under this one.


The plants cling to life in the most precarious of situations


The area is riddled with caves and various rock formations, this one is in an area called ”The Arches” for obvious reasons


Some Aboriginal Art we came across


Near the Chilligoe Eco park, Wallabies you expect.


Peacocks you do not expect

Chilligoe Eco Park and Observatory has a 14” Schmidt Cassegrain telescope (and soon to have a bigger more accessible unit) and they provide a fascinating night explaining various stars and some views through the telescope which is well worth the $30 per head they charge, approximately 2 hours and a great experience.


 


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 1: Blackbutt to Lake Callide Resort (455 Km).

Image
  Day 1: 17/8/25, Blackbutt to Lake Callide Resort (455 Km). Following on from our Murray River houseboat trip last year, this year’s adventure with our long-time friends, Lyn and Tristan, is into North Queensland. For our Overseas friends, our starting point this year is from our Blackbutt property which is three comfortable day’s travel (about 1800km) north from Avonsleigh, Victoria, where we have lived for many years.    Lunch at Mundabbbera on the Burnett River with a fitting companion (Maritta of course but also the train)                                                         Lunch stop, Mundaburra overlooking the Burnett River   Still at lunch stop, it must be spectacular when the river is at 20 Metres (look closely at the white post, centre of shot, visually slightly above the brid...
Read more

Day 14: 30/8/25, Mt Surprise to Cairns.

Image
 Day 14: 30/8/25,  Mt Surprise to Cairns.   Today we continue our journey aboard the Savannahlander to Cairns. Whilst the trip would normally terminate in Cairns, unfortunately a bridge is out so the train will drop us in Mareebra and a coach will take us back to Cairns. We knew this when we booked but felt it was still important to support the efforts of the great people who keep this train operating. Maybe at some point in the future we will be able to do the final little bit. Anyway, today's journey begins in Mount Surprise. One thing you do notice is that there are rails lines going in all directions along the currently use-able section of track and in it’s heyday the rail system out here must have been incredible.   Myriad of lines leaving the Mt Surprise rail yard. The Brahman cattle watch our progress with curiosity Termite Mounds (just a sample, some are much bigger) Termite mounds are everywhere out here and out train drive come tour guide gave us ...
Read more

Day 18: 3/9/25, Gladstone.

Image
 Day 18: 3/9/25,  Gladstone. Gladstone is essentially an industrial town with several heavy industries present. This is mainly due to it’s deep water port and it’s relative proximity to coal and other mineral deposits. Bauxite is transported here by ship from Weipa and Gove (NT), coal is nearby, and a 549Km pipeline rings natural gas to be liquefied and then transported by ship to southern Queensland and the rest of the world.   The proximity of the Coral Sea and an extensive river system means boats are everywhere (Boyne River near Tannum Sands)   One of two bauxite refineries. On average QAL (this plant) produces about 11,000 tonnes of alumina each year. Cargo ships waiting their turn to dock More than 120 million tons of cargo comprising of 30 products pass through Gladstone Harbour each year. The park overlooking the bauxite refinery Industry puts a lot of money back into the community with parks, gardens and extensive community projects Exten...
Read more