Chillagoe Smelters
Chillagoe Smelters
4.5
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4.5
88 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
34
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
1
HSG
21 contributions
Dec 2019
First time I in Australia I got to see just how many stars actually exist in the night sky!
Truly breath taking. With no light from nearby towns or cities the sky is ablaze with a zillion stars. To visit the caves, which are excellent, we contacted the local guide and although we were the only visitors he still took us through, magical. The old Copper works are fascinating including the one chimney with a split due to a lightning strike. Small observatory popular with amateur astronomers (not surprising). There was also a private museum of old and military vehicles. The owner was an elderly gentleman, it may not be there anymore. Local Motel was basic but ok. Don't expect much its a small town but well worth the dirt drive if you love old world Australia, Caves, stars and quiet. I loved it.
Truly breath taking. With no light from nearby towns or cities the sky is ablaze with a zillion stars. To visit the caves, which are excellent, we contacted the local guide and although we were the only visitors he still took us through, magical. The old Copper works are fascinating including the one chimney with a split due to a lightning strike. Small observatory popular with amateur astronomers (not surprising). There was also a private museum of old and military vehicles. The owner was an elderly gentleman, it may not be there anymore. Local Motel was basic but ok. Don't expect much its a small town but well worth the dirt drive if you love old world Australia, Caves, stars and quiet. I loved it.
Written 29 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hmdoolan
Townsville, Australia36 contributions
Jul 2020
Walking around the Smelter site and viewing areas gives a good idea of how important this was to the early mining days in the North. The interpretive signs are interesting, and the vast site indicates the large number of workers that were needed to keep the mostly manual operation of the smelter going.
A visit to the Hub in the centre of Chillagoe is a good way to find out more about the Smelter and its history and importance to mining in the North.
A visit to the Hub in the centre of Chillagoe is a good way to find out more about the Smelter and its history and importance to mining in the North.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin J
Townsville, Australia21 contributions
Oct 2016
Dirt road from the township , can walk if you like walking as not far from the town . cannot get up close to the smelter site for safety reasons . A few information boards explaining the history of the site
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Red_October_88
Gold Coast, Australia338 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Fun little time killer if you're passing through the remote town of Chillagoe. Free to visit. If visiting in summer, bring water and watch out for snakes.
The history behind the smelters is amazing.
The history behind the smelters is amazing.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hjholewa
Kingaroy, Australia82 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Great to view the smelter from the lookout and think what it was like living here in the early 1000, s.
It is well worth a look just for understanding mining culture. Not too boring and can be done at your pace.
It is well worth a look just for understanding mining culture. Not too boring and can be done at your pace.
Written 19 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D C
Houston, TX476 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
Located a short drive outside the center of Chillagoe, the ruins of the smelter, steeped in history, and its slag heap, cracked chimneys, and rusting machinery offer an evocative glimpse into the past, annotated by informative placards in the viewing area. Choice snapshots await as these hulking industrial remains waste away in the red earth of the Queensland outback. (Go at sunset for an especially warm hue.)
Even if you take all three guided cave tours in Chillagoe, you'll have ample time to stop by the smelters afterwards (and probably the Weir and swimming hole as well).
Even if you take all three guided cave tours in Chillagoe, you'll have ample time to stop by the smelters afterwards (and probably the Weir and swimming hole as well).
Written 17 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,963 contributions
Sept 2022
The Chillagoe smelter site is fenced off because many of the structures are now unstable and dangerous. So you can only see the old works site including the three great chimney stacks from a distance. It is still worth the effort, as the plant still has a lot of character and it is not hard to envisage how more than 100 years ago this was a bustling industrial centre. We were advised to visit a bit before dusk, and this proved excellent advice. The temperature was cooler, plenty of birds were out and about, and the subdued light really gave character to the old brick and corrugated iron buildings, as well as the broader landscape. At this time of day the views across the rugged country to the north were also quite special. There are many excellent interpretative noticeboards about the site, on the area's geology as well as on the history of mining. Some social history too - the board that described the day-to-day life of the wife of the mine superintendent was particularly telling.
Written 16 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyn
Cairns Region, Australia33 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Very interesting
Short drive from chillagoe.
Lots of information signs.
Passes granite mill.
Lots of parking
Lovely at sunset.
Short drive from chillagoe.
Lots of information signs.
Passes granite mill.
Lots of parking
Lovely at sunset.
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam J
Mildura, Australia21 contributions
Feb 2020
While in town it’s worth a look, on the outskirts via a dirt road, good scenic views from atop the hill.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ozzmo1962
Cairns Region, Australia82 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This is the second time we have visited the Smelters. The first time you could actually drive out there onto the area but now it has been closed off to the public due to safety concerns but they have put together historical boards, walkways and easy access to elevated areas for better viewing. What they have done is far better than the first time we visited. Looking across at the smelters from elevated areas was much better. Fantastic photo opportunities. The number of people who lived and worked in the town in the day was incredible.
Written 23 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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