Discovery Holiday Parks
Blackwater, Central Highlands, QLD

Overview

Just 2 hours from Rockhampton and 1 hour from Emerald, Discovery Holiday Parks – Blackwater in Queensland’s Central Highlands is the perfect base to explore this historic region.

Known as the Coal Capital of Queensland, the newly constructed Blackwater International Coal Centre offers visitors an insight into the formation of coal, its mining process and tours to the open cut mines, while the areas natural beauty can be appreciated at the nearby Blackdown Tableland National Park and Minerva National Park.

Regarded as one of the best of its kind in Queensland, Blackwater’s Japanese Garden marks the towns relationship with its sister city in Fujisawa, Japan, with a playground and visitor information centre adjacent.

Bedford Weir just 26 kilometres north of Blackwater offers excellent Barramundi fishing, while Lake Maraboon just outside Emerald is famous for its stocks of Red Claw Crayfish, excellent swimming and water-skiing.

Established in 1879, the nearby town of Emerald is home to the Emerald Botanic Gardens.  Set on the banks of the Nogoa River, these relaxing gardens cover 42 hectares showcasing many of the regions native plant species.   Offering free entry, the Emerald Historic Railway Station, Emerald Pioneer Cottage Complex and the Emerald Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway are ideal attractions for the whole family. 

Further afield are the regions famous Sapphire Gemfields.  Mined since the 1800’s, visitors can now join a half or full day guided tour, which includes the opportunity to fossick for sapphires.  Australia’s largest walk-in mine is located just outside Rubyvale, where visitors can take a 30 minute tour of the Miners Heritage Walk-In Mine. 

Discovery Holiday Parks – Blackwater offers accommodation ranging from powered or unpowered camp or caravan sites to a motel rooms and cabins.  Our Standard 4 Double Motel Rooms sleeps 2 while our  7 twin motel rooms sleep 3 Standard Ensuite cabins are doubles and sleep 2 & Family Cabins sleeps 4.  Both feature tea/coffee making facilities, en-suite, TV and cook top and microwave.

With Discovery Holiday Parks located at Rockhampton, Lake Maraboon and Blackwater, Central Queensland is the ideal touring holiday destination.

Accommodation

• Standard Motel Rooms
• Standard Cabins
• Powered and unpowered camp and caravan

Local Attractions

• Blackwater International Coal Centre
• Blackdown Tableland National Park
• Minerva Hills National Park
• Emerald’s Pioneer Cottage Complex
• Emerald Historic Railway Station
• Emerald Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway
• Sapphire Gemfields
• Miner’s heritage Walk-In Mine
• Emerald Botanic Gardens

Accommodation

Standard - Motel Room

• Airconditioning
• Ensuite
• Colour TV
• Queen bed
• Limitied cooking facilities
• Clock radio
• Tea and coffee

Type of Accommodation:	Off Peak:	Shoulder:	Peak:
Motel Room	$95.00	n/a	n/a

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Standard - Ensuite & Family Cabins

• Airconditioning
• Ensuite
• Colour TV
• Queen bed
• Limited cooking facilities
• Phone
• Clock radio
• Tea and coffee

Type of Accommodation:	Off Peak:	Shoulder:	Peak:
Ensuite Cabin (1 person)	n/a	n/a	$90.00
Family Cabin	n/a	n/a	$110.00

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Powered & Unpowered Sites

• Suitable for caravans and camping.

Type of Accommodation:	Off Peak:	Shoulder:	Peak:
Powered Site	n/a	n/a	$25.00
Unpowered Site	n/a	n/a	$15.00

Extra Adult/Child: $6.00/$4.00

Permanent powered sites: are also available (for own caravan), $115 per week (+ electricity).

Activities & Attractions

Blackwater is a unique town along the Capricorn Highway. Locally, it is known as the coal capital of Queensland and there is much to see.

• Blackwater Coal Mine
• Blackwater Country Club
• Japanese Garden and Tourist Information Centre
• The Lions Park
• Mining Display
• War Memorial
• Blackdown Tablelands National Park
• International Coal Mining Centre
• Bedford Weir

Blackwater Coal Mine

Blackwater is one of the largest open cut coal mines in Australia, producing almost 14 million tonnes of coking and thermal coal a year.

Blackwater Country Club

Visit the Black Water Country Club to enjoy golf, bowls and squash.

Japanese Garden and Tourist Information Centre

The Garden marks the Sister Town relationship with Fujisawa, Japan. It contains approximately 600 tonnes of ornamental stone and was constructed by the Duaringa Shire Council works staff in association with 14 Japanese gardeners, carpenters and interpreters.

The Lions Park

The Lions Park on Capricorn Highway flies the flags of 37 nations, representing each of the nationalities working in the coal fields.

War Memorial

Two pine trees grown from pine seeds taken from the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey are the highlight of the town's War Memorial. This memorial is located beside the Blackwater and District Workers Club.

Blackdown Tablelands

The Blackdown Tablelands are a sandstone island which rises 600 metres above the surrounding plains. They were formed millions of years ago when a shift in the earth's plates pushed this sandstone and sedimentary rock from the inland lake upwards.

Blackwater International Coal Centre

This $9 million project will showcase the past, present and future of the coal industry in a state-of-the-art facility. Incorporated in the centre is a cinema for the purpose of coal education & visitor viewing. Due for completion in August 2008.

Bedford Weir

Bedford Weir is a short drive from Discovery Holiday Parks - Blackwater and is well stocked with barramundi, sleepy cod, yellow belly saratoga & red claw crayfish. There is an annual fishing competition in June/July and a ski club and picnic grounds which can be enjoyed by visitors.