Visitor Information Guide
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EXPERIENCE CARMILA CLAIRVIEW CLERMONT COPPABELLA DYSART FLAGGY ROCK GLENDEN GREENHILL ILBILBIE MIDDLEMOUNT MORANBAH NEBO ST LAWRENCE Cape Palmerston National Park READY TO EXPLORE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED? STEP BACK IN TIME AND DISCOVER ISAAC’S UNSPOILT NATURAL ATTRACTIONS, VAST OPEN LANDSCAPES, RICH COLOURS CONTENTS AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES. 03 Introduction 04 Find A Road Less Travelled We invite you to become part of the Isaac Story, 05 Regional Map re-energise your spirit and soothe your soul in 06 Driving Routes nature reserved just for you. 07 Discover The Isaac Coast From the deserted islands and seascapes of the 12 Discover Inland Isaac Coral Sea to the big skies of the western plains, 18 Peak Range National Park our region offers travellers an idyllic escape from 22 Discover The Road Less Travelled the every day. 28 Discover The Great Inland Way www.isaac.qld.gov.au 30 72 Iconic Isaac Experiences Back Cover Contacts Isaac Regional Council acknowledges traditional custodians of the land DON’T FORGET... within the Isaac Region, and offers its Tag #ourisaac on your social media respects to their elders, past, present photos and follow us on Facebook. and emerging. Isaac Regional Council also recognises those whose ongoing efforts to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait www.facebook/isaacregionalcouncil Islander cultures will leave a lasting @isaacregionalcouncil legacy for future elders and leaders. @isaacrcouncil 2 EXPERIENCE ISAAC WWW.ISAAC.QLD.GOV.AU 3 FIND A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED WHITSUNDAY REGION AND EXPLORE THE SCENERY MACKAY REGION MACKAY Isaac has witnessed the affluence of the famous Queensland gold rushes, GLENDEN weathered the devastation of floods and cyclones, endured endless years of CHARTERS TOWERS REGION heat and drought, seen shifts within agricultural and aqua-cultural pursuits, Mount Britton whole townships shift from one location to another, and found fame and fortune once again in the precious offerings of Mother Earth. All of this has created a region unique in charm and a character-growing Lake Elphinstone Nebo Museum ILBILBIE attraction for visitors keen to explore the road less travelled on their journey NEBO GREENHILL through Queensland. It’s a place where traditional country qualities live on Notch Yarrawonga within modern, vibrant communities. COPPABELLA Point The best way to explore Isaac is by car during the cooler months of May to CARMILA October. Contact one of our Council offices to find out more (details on the MORANBAH back cover). CLAIRVIEW St Lawrence VALKYRIE Wetlands & Dugongs LOTUS Recreation CREEK Grounds KILCUMMIN ST LAWRENCE Peak Ranges Lord’s Table DYSART Mountain MISTAKE Clermont Historical CREEK Centre CLERMONT MIDDLEMOUNT LIVINGSTONE CLARKE SHIRE CREEK Hoods Lagoon Theresa Piano in the Tree BARCALDINE Creek Dam Gold Fossicking REGION Copperfield MACKENZIE Chimney RIVER CENTRAL HIGHLANDS REGION ISSAC REGION DID YOU KNOW? The region covers 58,862 square kilometres of fertile plains, rich soils, beaches and coal mines in the mineral-rich Bowen Basin. 4 EXPERIENCE ISAAC WWW.ISAAC.QLD.GOV.AU 5 Clairview DRIVING ROUTES DISCOVER THE ISAAC COAST ISAAC COAST, GREAT INLAND From St Lawrence through to WAY AND THE Cape Palmerston you can view MINING TRAIL great wildlife, enjoy fishing, snorkelling, beach walking and On the Isaac Coast drive you will discover our quaint swimming opportunities. Some of beach communities nestled along one of the last Queensland’s most picturesque remaining relatively undeveloped yet accessible stretches of shoreline on the East Coast. Dugong places are in the Isaac Region and it sanctuaries, remote turtle nesting grounds and is a perfect location for nature lovers uninhabited islands offer a unique opportunity to get back to nature and re-energise the mind. to get a glimpse of this relatively Follow the Great Inland Way, where golden untouched paradise. sunflowers line the road with rust-red sorghum, buttery wheat and creamy cotton crops, while majestic mountains and lava plugs form spectacular WAVERLEY CREEK backdrops on the horizon. REST AREA The Mining Trail, a 300 kilometre unique self- drive trail from Clermont to Mackay, will introduce Stop, refresh and stretch your legs as you enter the Isaac you to wide, beautiful landscapes, historic towns, Region. Travel just a short distance of 13 kilometres to St vibrant mining communities and impressive man- Lawrence Recreational Grounds (max 14 nights – small fee made works. applies) – toilets, showers, barbeques, picnic tables and Isaac region has a number of connecting road shelters, and a dump point. Water is available. Access to networks of sealed and unsealed roads that can be all vehicles. taken for a rewarding off the beaten track experience. Please note: No camping is available at the Waverley For drive route maps visit www.queensland.com and Creek Rest Area (fines may apply). see Isaac Region Visitor Map on page 5. CLAIRVIEW This seaside community is a popular spot for fishing and crabbing. It’s also home to a fully protected dugong sanctuary. Dugongs, an endangered marine mammal, can often be spotted from the shore when they surface to breathe, or in the water, when in a kayak, boat or other recreational vessel. Be sure to slow down your vessel in areas dugongs are known to inhabit. Exploring Clairview Wander along the soft sand and set a line straight off the beach. Watch dugongs basking in their natural habitat. Relax the day away at one of the many beachside picnic spots. Use the boat ramp to spend a day on the water and maybe even spot a dugong up close! 6 EXPERIENCE ISAAC WWW.ISAAC.QLD.GOV.AU 7 St Lawrence FLAGGY ROCK NOTCH POINT, THE ISAAC COAST GREENHILL AND The recreational campground is set ILBILBIE on five acres, is flat to undulating and perfect for overnight accommodation Experience the quiet beauty of the most ST LAWRENCE for semi self-contained vehicles only. scenic area of the Isaac Coast. An idyllic There is no power available but excellent location with wonderful views of the St Lawrence is a quaint, historic views of the wetlands for a few access for large rigs. Facilities: Electric ocean and surrounding district. barbeque, children’s playground and town originally built to service the nights’ mud crabbing (max Anglers can enjoy shore, estuary and Customs Office for the Port of St 14 nights), toilets, showers, swimming pool. A fee of $15 (cash) per van, per night applies with a maximum offshore fishing near local reefs and Lawrence. It is one of the oldest barbeques, picnic tables and islands, whilst bushwalkers can take towns on the Queensland Coast shelters, and a dump point. stay of 72 hours. For more information visit www.flaggyrock.com. advantage of the magnificent views and provides exciting fishing Water is available. Access to and beautiful bushland. Access to Cape and crabbing opportunities in all vehicles. Exploring Flaggy Rock Palmerston National Park is by 4WD the nearby creeks and inlets. A Drive up Connors Range to Hike or take a 4WD excursion to only via Greenhill Road. bird-watcher’s paradise, the St Schneider’s Inn Lookout to Flaggy Rock Bluff for breathtaking Lawrence Wetlands are listed Exploring Greenhill and Ilbilbie experience panoramic views 360-degree ocean and rural views. in the Directory of Important of the wetlands, coastline and Visit Yarrawonga and Notch Point Wetlands in Australia. islands (not recommended Reserves to go camping, fishing and for caravans). CARMILA crabbing. Access to these areas is via Exploring St Lawrence high-clearance four-wheel drive only. Join us as one of nature’s finest Visit the historic, heritage- Yarrawonga and Notch Point Reserve wetlands bursts into life! St Nestled at the foot of Connors Range, listed Anglican Church, built is one of the best fishing spots on the Lawrence Wetlands Weekend the charming community of Carmila is in 1898. Central Queensland Coast, famous is held on the 2nd weekend a blend of beachfront bliss with country Visit St Lawrence Cemetery, for whiting and flathead. of June each year and will character. The community centre is the the cemetery has many graves tantalise your taste buds, major social and sporting hub for the Cape Palmerston National Park offers dating back to the mid 1800s. invoke creativity and teach you Isaac Coast. spectacular views over the Coral Sea A grave register is held at the about a nationally significant and 4WD opportunities. Council Office and Library. Cane growing is the community’s main coastal wetlands right in industry and is harvested between May Discover the St Lawrence our backyard. Trek through and November. Wetlands listed in the the bush for an immersive Directory of Important experience as you tour the Go off the beaten track at Carmila Wetlands in Australia. The wetlands and learn more about Beach, an uncrowded stretch of Wetlands’ depth varies, being endangered birdlife, turtles coastline, perfect for fishing enthusiasts at its highest between January and reef. Get hands-on and with access to the creeks nearby. An – April and lowest between artistic with nature weaving ideal place to launch a boat, otherwise September – November. and arts workshops. Enjoy a cast a line from land, near the creek mouth. Sunset fishing is particularly Freshwater fish habitat – delicious bushman’s dinner, good here for barramundi, mangrove fish ladders. fresh local chilli mud crabs and taste our finest regional jack, trevally and flathead. Facilities: Abundant birdlife is produce at this emerging Camping area (max 14 nights, small present at the Wetlands festival. Make friends with fee), toilets, barbeque, picnic tables including nationally nature and bring the family, and boat ramps. No potable or drinking threatened waterbirds – with camping available onsite water available. 92 bird species have been for only $12.50 a site, per Exploring Carmila recorded in the area. night. For more information DID YOU KNOW? Camp at the St Lawrence visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au/ Pull up, bury your toes in the sand Turtles nest on local Recreation Grounds with wetlandsweekend.