Historic Australia operates these historic sites, tours & experiences in Charters Towers, Queensland Australia
GOLD PASS
The GOLD PASS gives a discount on two of Charters Towers “must-do” heritage experiences – the VENUS GOLD BATTERY EXPERIENCE & GOLD PANNING @ VENUS GOLD BATTERY.
GOLD PANNING @ VENUS GOLD BATTERY
Learn how to find real gold! Pan gravel and river sand sourced from local creeks and old mine tailings! Keep any gold you find! This authentic hands-on experience is suited for all age groups and popular with families, schools and students, locals and visitors.
VENUS GOLD BATTERY EXPERIENCE
GUIDED TOWN HISTORY TOUR
CHARTERS TOWERS GHOST WALK
CHARTERS TOWERS CEMETERY GHOST TOUR
PRIVATE GROUP TOURS
This is popular with social groups, birthday parties & senior groups.
History & Heritage
Gold in Charters Towers
Gold was discovered in Charters Towers in 1871 by an indigenous boy called Jupiter. Within a few weeks of his discovery, a new goldfield was proclaimed and large numbers of miners began to arrive.
Charters Towers was to develop at a furious rate and its boom era would endure. This was mostly to the fact that its gold was to be found in massive quartz reefs that stretched to many thousand feet underground. It therefore had greater permanence than the alluvial fields, and this would ultimately foster long-term development of the township itself.
But a reefing field meant that the mines were dependent on crushing facilities. Very quickly a collection of processing batteries (mills) sprang up around creeks that could supply sufficient water for their needs.
It is estimated that around 25 mills and 70 cyanide works were operational on the Charters Towers goldfield, processing the rich ore from the mines and creating employment for many workers.
The goldfield’s peak years continued until close to 1920, during which time almost 210 tonnes of gold would be produced by its mines.
About the Venus Gold Battery ⇩
The Battery opened in July 1872, soon after gold was discovered in Charters Towers. It was built by Edmund Harris Thornburgh Plant and his associate Thomas Jackson.
It was primarily a custom mill – to be accessed by large numbers of local miners.
By 1919, most of the miners had closed in the area and the Mines Departments purchased the mill. This was to ensure that there would remain at least one operating mill for gold producing mines in North Queensland. Crushing continued until around 1980.
The Venus Battery was the third crushing battery to open in Charters Towers, and the last to close. Over that period it produced 15.5 tonnes of gold.
Extensive restoration work has been carried out. The trusteeship of the Battery was transferred to the local Council in January 2003 as part of the development of the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail.
The Battery is fully heritage listed. It is an icon of national cultural significance and a tour through its workings is a must-do for those visiting the Charters Towers region.
