History in the area goes back to 1853 when the Archer brothers were exploring the locality, however, the town was actually named after the Morgan brothers. They discovered the gold deposits in the mountains in 1882. They formed a syndicate with three other men, all of whom Rockhampton business men. It started out as Morgan Mount, changing to the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company in 1886. It steadily grew, becoming the largest open cut gold mine in the southern hemisphere. It is even rumoured, that the mine helped prevent the Australian federation from breaking up into individual states, by allowing its proceeds to be used to pay off the national debt of 1902.

Heritage Attractions

The town of Mount Morgan has been classed as a Heritage Town. It has many historical buildings, which are fine examples of colonial architecture. The Railway Station is but one example. It was built in 1898 and continued to be in operation for a total of 90 years thereafter. It is a tourist information centre now, and is also where colourful monthly markets are held.

Museums

The Mount Morgan Historical Museum is a must for anyone visiting the town, as it provides a great picture of the early days of Mount Morgan and the lives of its early settlers. There are all types of items and displays, which are both informative and interesting.

Other Attractions

For those who make the climb to the top of Mount Morgan itself, they will be well rewarded with breathtaking views of both the town and surrounding landscape. The open cut gold mine can be inspected, as can Tipperary Point. Here, one of the state's two swinging bridges is located. It crosses over the Dee River. A visit to nearby local caves will fascinate you, with their dinosaur footprints, which date back some 150 million years, reflecting the areas history in quite another era.

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