Mount Surprise

A historic Etheridge Shire Railway Siding located:

• 320 km south west of Cairns
• 530 km north west of Townsville
• 485 km south east of Karumba

Population

• 61 Mount Surprise
• 923 Etheridge Shire

Economy

Grazing enterprises, mining and tourism form the basis of the local economy.

Climate

There are two seasons in this part of Queensland:

Dry/Winter (April to September):

• Cool nights and clear crisp days
• Little or no rainfall with mild to warm conditions
• Temperatures usually range from maximum 24 C, minimum 10 C.
• Humidity levels are low, averaging about 20%

Wet/ Summer (October to March):

• Heaviest rain falls during February and March
• Average maximum temperature 37 C

Environment

The shire presents a mecca for the amateur prospector. The area has a vast formation of ancient Pre-Cambrian rock which remains rich in minerals and semiprecious stones. Some of the stones to be found include topaz, sapphires and garnets. Today gold can still be prospected in the region.

Mount Surprise sits on the edge of the immense Undara lava field caused by an ancient volcanic eruption in the Mc Bride Volcanic Province some 190,000 years ago. The surrounding country is flat wooded savannah grasslands with isolated hills. The whole region is highly regarded by bird watchers as the varied ecosystems provide an ideal habitat for an unusually high number and variety of wading migratory and resident wood/grassland birds. 10 species of macropods have been identified in the area- a reflection of the diverse environments to be found.

History

• 1860s- Pastoral leases (sheep and cattle) were being granted in the area
• 1869- Rich deposits of alluvial and reef gold were discovered in the locality. The area became known as the Etheridge Gold Field.
• 1870s- Subsequent discoveries of vast deposits of copper, silver, lead and tin led to the founding of the towns of Mount Surprise, Georgetown, Einasleigh, Forsayth, Kidston and Gilberton.

Mining continued in the area through the 1880s, but abated in the early 1900s. Small alluvial mining activity still occurs in the shire. Many people fossick in the area for gems and agates.

Things to see and do

The unique geographical location of Bedrock Village makes an ideal hub for conducting tours that can maximise tourist options and experiences. Take a tour of the surrounding area with the local expert Savannah Guide Joe Lockyer from Bedrock Village Caravan Park.

• Undara Volcanic National Park: Situated 55km to the east of Mount Surprise. This is the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater in modern geological time. It travelled 164km in huge basalt tunnels, known as lava tubes. The lava originated from the Undara Volcano, one of the 164 craters on the Mc Bride Plateau. A day use area is provided at Kalcani Crater however there is restricted access to the more sensitive areas. Tours of the lava tubes are conducted by Savannah Guides from Bedrock Village and the Undara Lava Lodge, situated adjacent to the Undara Volcanic National Park.
• Experience the Savannahlander: The Savannahlander is a classic 1960’s Railmotor that operates weekly between Cairns and the old gold mining town of Forsayth. Short tours aboard the Savannahlander from Mount Surprise to Einasleigh are run weekly by Bedrock Village in Mount Surprise.
• O’Briens Creek Gem Fields: The O’Briens Creek Gemfield is about 40km from Mount Surprise; the area was designated as a fossicking area in 1995. Topaz and other gemstones are found in alluvial gravels which are up to 2 m deep. Fossicking equipment is available for hire in Mount Surprise where you can also purchase a fossicking licence. “Tag-a-long” tours to the gem fields are available from Mount Surprise.
• Tallaroo Hot Springs: Tallaroo Hot Springs are part of a working cattle station, 45km west of Mount Surprise. The springs were discovered in 1872. As the water runs away, the algae absorb the calcium carbonate out of the solution, which gradually hardens and forms into limestone terraces. The hot springs are open daily from Easter until the end of September.
• Forty Mile Scrub National Park: Situated 67 km east of Mount Surprise, the Forty Mile Scrub National Park has one of the largest examples of the semi evergreen dry vine thickets known. Visitors to this National Park are given the opportunity to appreciate the area with day use facilities and a 300 metre walk through the vine scrub.

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