Charters Towers is a city in northern Queensland, Australia. It is located 135 kilometres south-west from Townsville on the Flinders Highway.

Charters Towers is a centre for the beef industry and is particularly known for the number of boarding schools which cater for remote rural families. It obtains its water supply from the nearby Burdekin River.

The town was founded in the 1870s when gold was found in the area, and rapidly grew to become a regional centre. Many of the older buildings of the mining boom remain, giving a distinct character to a town which appears out of place in a dry arid region. Although quite a few still exist in Charters Towers, many of the distinctive miner's cottages were dismantled after the boom times and relocated to Townsville and other places, where large numbers of these galvanised iron dwellings are still in use.

In the boom years, between 1872 and 1899, Charters Towers operated the only Stock Exchange in Australia outside of a capital city. During this period, the population was approximately 27,000, making Charters Towers Queensland's largest city outside of Brisbane. 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.

Here is a suggestion to get fit after a good night's rest.

Early Birds – Towers Hill Walk

Early morning is the best time to discover the wildlife living in and around Towers Hill.  Pick up your Towers Hill brochure from the Visitor Information Centre and discover why this site has such special significance.  You'll see several species of macropods such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, the Whiptail and the Allied Rock Wallabies.  Watch as the Wedge-tailed Eagles hunt their prey.  This is also a favourite exercise track for locals.  Look for the gold discovery monument at the base of the Hilll.

Early morning is the best time to discover the wildlife living in and around Towers Hill.  Pick up your Towers Hill brochure from the Visitor Information Centre and discover why this site has such special significance.  You'll see several species of macropods such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, the Whiptail and the Allied Rock Wallabies.  Watch as the Wedge-tailed Eagles hunt their prey.  This is also a favourite exercise track for locals.  Look for the gold discovery monument at the base of the Hill.

Follow the road and uncover the stories from the informative storyboards along the way.  There's Jupiter's Luck, the Seismograph Station and Clark's Gold Mine.  Wander through the Landcare rehabilitation project at the base of the hill to the right.  Discover the WWII bunkers, there are 30 of them in total.  It is a short walk to a restored bunker which is sign posted half way up the hill on the right.  On arrival at the summit take time to enjoy the view as Charters Towers awakens.  There are picnic tables available for your BYO breakfast.  Another track at the summit leads off to the ruins of the Pyrites Works.