Mount Perry was once a thriving and prosperous copper mining town nestled under the influence of Mount Perry. Today it is nothing more than a few town buildings and the remains of the old Copper Smelter Site (slag heap). Copper was discovered in 1867 and over a short period of time the town grew rapidly. It’s hard to believe today that it boasted some 20 hotels in its heyday. Although it is said that many of these were no more than a bark humpy with a keg set up on a corner.
The village has a general store, post office, two hotels, a caravan park, museum, art gallery and local government office facilities. There are two lookouts that offer a good overview of the surrounds.
One of the main attractions which is well worth a visit is the Boolboonda Tunnel which was excavated (by hand) in 1883 for the railway 🚞 line between Mount Perry and Bundaberg. You can walk or drive through the tunnel which is the longest unsupported man-made tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere (192ms). The rail line closed in 1961 and there is no sign in the tunnel of the earlier railway line or other land forms that may have related to it.
Mount Perry still has a mining-based economy with its gold mine ⚒ at Mt Rawdon which has changed hands several times since 1946. Mount Perry has also produced quite a few multi-generational competitive woodchoppers 🪓 who represent Queensland in various agricultural show around Australia.
👉We checked out Mount Perry Showgrounds which looks like a really nice place to stop over for a couple of nights.
📍48 Hr camping ground
📍$10 per night per person power and water
📍Pet friendly
📍Toilets and showers
📍Bins
👉Wolca Reserve situated on Bania Road is an old cricket oval which makes for another great overnight stop. Plenty of room and nice flat areas to park up. A permit to camp is required and can be obtained from the Council’s Administration Office in town.
📍$5 per person per night
📍Toilets and showers
📍Pet Friendly
📍Bins
Another interesting quiet little town with loads of history to visit in Queensland.👍