Charters Towers began with the discovery of gold over 150 years ago – one of the biggest gold rushes in Australian history. Hear the fascinating story behind the town’s name, the colourful characters, streets and grand buildings including the Royal Hotel and Stock Exchange Arcade on this guided tour.

When gold was found by an Aboriginal boy in 1871, Charters Towers became the richest city in Queensland and second largest after Brisbane, boasting a stock exchange, grand buildings and houses, fine shops, wide streets, electricity, gaslights, telegraph and the telephone – it had everything. Residents nicknamed their town “The World.”