CHARTERS TOWERS Charters Towers is the first (or last) of the towns on the Flinders Highway that joins Townsville and Mount Isa. Gold is the vibrant industry that spurned early growth of the town. The town was founded in the 1870s when gold was discovered by chance at Towers Hill. We assume, the ‘chartists’ from the exchange and the ‘towers’ gold find is the link with town name. Charters Towers is yet to be ruined needless ‘development’ progress. This means a vibrant business and retail precinct is still intact. Charters Towers has clearly embraced the proud ‘gold’ history of the early 1860’s. Boy this town was alight. Just before Federation CT was the second growth centre in Qld after Brisbane. The CT Stock Exchange was so busy evening trading sessions were a regular and often feature of the Exchange. A visitor is quickly swept up in the wealth of the past. The City was also affectionately known as 'The World', as it was said that anything one might desire could be had in the 'Towers', leaving no reason to travel elsewhere. Such were the boom years, between 1872 and 1899, that a railway between Charters Towers and the coastal port of Townsville was completed in December 1882. During this period, the population was approximately 30,000, making Charters Towers Queensland's largest city outside of Brisbane. CT’s elevation determines a dry and moderated weather pattern. The ‘classic’ hotels are no longer pubs but the old trading and modern hotels co-exist. The CT War Memorial is on the main street, but there is a significant early war memorial in the gardens. Given the history of Charters Towers the churches disappoint. The United Church is the last historic church. A number of museums co-exist. The    Zara Clark Museum deserves a good look. Allow a few days to digest and enjoy this great town. Heritage diary