Click on a question below to find the answer.
Where is the Central Queensland Highlands?
Where can I find the latest emergency information?
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Where can I charge my electric vehicle?
Where can I find information on road conditions?
Where can I get caravan repairs and spare parts?
What is mobile phone reception like?
Are there any motels or caravan parks that allow pets?
Can I take my dog into a national park?
Where can I find a dump point?
Where can I find a laundromat?
Where can I find a public toilet?
Where can I find public showers?
Q: Where is the Central Queensland Highlands?
A: The Central Queensland Highlands is located in Central Queensland, west of Rockhampton, straddling the Tropic of Capricorn. It covers an area of 60,000 square kilometres and its key destinations are Carnarvon Gorge, Sapphire Gemfields, Blackdown Tableland and Emerald.
The region also encompasses Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, Bluff, Bogantungan, Capella, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Lake Maraboon, Rolleston, Springsure and Tieri.
Q: Where can I find the latest emergency information?
A: Be Prepared is the Central Queensland Highlands’ emergency information dashboard, including advice on road closures, flooding, bushfire alerts and evacuation centres.
Q: What’s the best time of year to visit?
A: Most visitors tend to come to the Central Queensland Highlands between March and October, when most days are cool and sunny. This is also the time when most major events happen, such as Gemfest, and all tourism operations are open.
If you decide to travel here over summer, please plan ahead because many tourism and hospitality operators reduce their opening hours, and some close over the warmer months.
Rest assured most places are airconditioned! Be sure to pack your swimmers to cool down in the region’s dams and lakes and public swimming pools.
Q: How can I get there?
A: The most popular way visitors tend to reach the Central Queensland Highlands is by road. The main roads into the region are the Capricorn Highway (east-west) and the Gregory Highway (north-south).
Qantas and Virgin Australia also operate daily flights between Emerald and Brisbane.
There is a Spirit of the Outback train twice a week from Brisbane to Longreach via Rockhampton and Emerald.
Greyhound runs a coach service between Longreach and Rockhampton, via the Central Queensland Highlands, and Mackay Transit Coach runs a service between Emerald and Mackay, via Clermont.
There is no public transport within the Central Queensland Highlands but Emerald has a taxi service and car hire is available at Emerald Airport (see Q. Where Can I Hire a Car? further below).
Q: Where can I get fuel?
A: Service stations can be found at Duaringa, Dingo, Blackwater, Gemfields, Springsure, Rolleston, Capella and Emerald.
Emerald has a Woolworths Caltex, Caltex truck stop, Shell, BP, JIO and Puma.
Q: Where can I charge my electric vehicle?
An Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station has opened at 2 Palmer Street, Dingo, and planning is underway for sites at Emerald and Rolleston, as part of the Queensland Government’s mission to connect EV drivers to inland areas.
There are other EV charging stations at private businesses – locations can be found on the Chargefox and PlugShare Apps and websites – but be aware that fees generally apply for non-customers.
Q: Where can I find information on road conditions?
A: Visit the QLD Traffic website and type your location in the search bar.
Q: Where can I get caravan spare parts and repairs?
A: Mobile mechanic Dave Morris sells some parts and performs minor repairs. Contact Dave on 0439 753 246 or david_morris1969@hotmail.com.
Calyn Mechanical Repairs in Emerald can perform minor tasks – phone (07) 49876603 or 0429348344 or 0400205129.
Trailer and Van Repairs is based in Capella and can be contacted on 0409 613 999 or info@capellavanpark.com.au
Unfortunately, there is no shop in the Central Queensland Highlands that sells spare parts for caravans, with the nearest one in Rockhampton, however check online for updated information.
Q: Where can I hire a car?
A: There are several hire car companies in the Central Queensland Highlands and they are all based at Emerald Airport. Contact them directly to find out more.
Q: Where can I access free WiFi?
A: There are several free WiFi hotspots in Emerald:
- Visitor Information Centre
- Airport
- McDonald’s
- 65 Clermont Street (Telstra Air Hotspot)
- 123 Clermont Street (Telstra Air Hotspot)
- 32 Egerton Street (Telstra Air Hotspot)
Free WiFi (and low-cost public internet) is also available at Blackwater, Capella, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Rolleston, Springsure and Tieri libraries.
Q: What is mobile phone reception like?
A: Mobile reception is generally excellent throughout the region however you might find some blackspots at the remote locations, such as Carnarvon Gorge.
Q: Where can I stay?
A: Take your pick from campsites, caravan parks, motels and hotels. Find out more in our Stay section or contact the Visitor Information Centre on (07) 4982 4142.
Q: Are there any motels or caravan parks that allow pets?
A: All caravan parks in Emerald allow pets but not in the cabins. A & A Lodge, Emerald Highlands Motel, and Emerald Explorers Inn also accept pets.
Q: Can I take my dog into a national park?
A: No dogs are allowed in National Parks. Assistance dogs are allowed with a permit – more details can be found here.
Q: Where can I go shopping?
A: There are three shopping centres in Emerald: Central Highlands Marketplace, The Plaza, and The Village.
Blackwater has Woolworths, Springsure has Spar, and the Sapphire Gemfields has the Friendly Grocer in Rubyvale.
Q: What events are on?
A: We’re proud of our lively social scene and would love you to join us! Find out how at What’s On Central Queensland Highlands.
Q: Where can I find a dump point?
A:
- Emerald Showgrounds and in all caravan parks in Emerald
- McKenzie Park, Capricorn Highway in Duaringa
- Turpentine Rd, Blackwater
- Beazley Park, Dawson Hwy Rolleston
- Springsure Showgrounds on Barcoo St, and Rich Park Area on Dawson Hwy at Springsure
- The Sapphire Gemfields‘ facility is located on the left-hand side approximately 4 km from Rubyvale when travelling from Sapphire.
- Bridgeman Park, Capella Showgrounds
Q: Where can I find a laundromat?
A: Emerald and Blackwater have laundromats. Contact the Central Queensland Highlands Visitor Information Centre for locations.
Q: Where can I find a public toilet?
A: Use toiletmap.gov.au to find a public toilet near you. Facilities in Emerald are located at the Visitor Information Centre, Emerald Botanic Gardens, Emerald Town Hall and on Borilla Street (behind the library)
All towns in the region have public toilets Botanic, Townhall, Borilla street, and all shopping centres. Capella has free hot shower. And all the towns in the surrounds have toilets.
Q: Where can I find public showers?
A: There are no public showers in Emerald (meaning you need to pay for accommodation to access shower facilities). Capella Lions Park has a free hot shower; Duaringa Rest Area has hot showers (for a gold coin donation); and Bedford Weir near Blackwater has toilets and showers in its new amenities block.
