Quartz Hill Coach Change Station, Heritage-listed coach station in Mount Surprise, Australia
Quartz Hill Coach Change Station is a heritage-listed stopping point for horse-drawn coaches in remote Queensland, where rectangular stone foundations remain from earlier structures. Scattered items from its operational period lie near the banks of Elizabeth Creek alongside a burial ground for early settlers.
The station opened in 1888 to serve coaches traveling between Herberton and Georgetown during the mining boom in North Queensland. It closed around two decades later as transport methods changed and the route fell out of use.
The cemetery holds marked graves of regional settlers who lived through the early days of this remote area. These burial sites show how important this place was as a community hub during the region's formative years.
The site is accessible to visitors interested in exploring Queensland's transport past, though it lies in a remote location. Bring comfortable walking shoes and water, as the grounds are open and exposed to the sun and weather.
Few visitors realize that a postal receiving office operated here from the earliest days, handling mail and packages for settlers across the region. This overlooked detail reveals how crucial this stop was for connecting isolated communities to the wider world.
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