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Greenvale QLD - The Outback Oasis.
From Townsville To Greenvale they're building a line
Home of the Three Rivers Hotel made Famous by Slim Dusty with the song of the same name written by Stan Coster during the mining boom. Here you can enjoy a quiet ale and get a meal, as well as talk to the locals.
Greenvale is a small mining town built especially for the purpose of housing the mine workers. The township was built in the 70s opening it's doors to workers when the Greenvale Nickel mine opened in 1973.
An official opening was had for the opening of the Nickel Mine and the railway but apparently not for the town itself.
When the Greenvale Nickel mine closed it's doors in 1993 the township almost became a ghost town.
It was later bought with the intention of creating a tourist spot for people to visit, unfortunately this didn't work out quite as planned. After getting a grocery store, butcher, bakery, hairdresser etc. into the town....in the hope it would bring people in.......the houses were finally sold off. Charters Towers Council evetually took over the town and now help maintain the township.
Greenvale & surrounds was also the land of the Gugu Badhun People. There are still some indigenous residents in town who contribute to the Greenvale Community, working along side with the greater community for the benefit of the whole.
Greenvale is in the midst of gem fields and areas of valuable minerals, though it is on private property and permission needs to be sought from the Property Owners. The Lava Plains approx. 80km north of Greenvale has a designated fossicking area, though permission still needs to be obtained from land owners.
Turning west at the Lynd Junction you can follow through to Chudleigh Park where peridot is found, and also Moonstone Hill where moonstone is found, designated areas for fossicking are available, but again on private property and permission needs to be obtained.
During recent years there has once again been a lot of exploration going on in the area, with the promise of more mines to be starting up.
The township itself is a base for many grey nomads who travel 6 months of the year and come back home. There isn't a great lot of work available apart from the existing mines or stations and the few businesses in town. The RTC as well as the essential services are run by volunteers who do their very best under the circumstances, but they can always use more help.
The Royal Flying Doctor comes to town fortnightly, with the assistance of a nurse, often trainee Doctors come for experience as well.
The General Store situated at the Caravan park caters for essential items and hardware supplies. They also have the Courier service, so in the event you happen to need something that they don't supply they are happy to bring it in.
Fresh Fruit, Veg and other supplies are brought in fortnightly on Tuesday evenings to the Greenvale Country Club. This has become the meeting place for locals as they wait for FARI who comes from Atherton area with supplies.
Patz Bazaar offers tea / coffee and light meals as well as tourist information brochures and souveniers.
Our RTC ( Rural Transaction Centre) is manned by dedicated volunteers, who will assist in any way they can. The RTC is open twice weekly (Tuesdays & Fridays) for mail, magazines and newspapers etc.
The Greenvale Primary School currently has around 30 children. the School itself is situated in the centre of town, right next to the Olympic size swimming Pool. There are tennis courts, basket ball court as well as a good sized oval for other sporting activites. There is a big Screen behind the Swimming Pool where Community Groups Screen the State Of Origin and hold their fund raising events.
Mother Earths Treasures has a wonderful display of Gemstones and minerals as well as souveniers, though at present it's open by appointment only.
There are lovely spots for picnics and camping at Reedy Brook though a 4WD is required if going from Greenvale. (There is a gazetted road which passed through the Valley of Lagoons a bird sanctuary with a prolific array of wild life to be seen). This is also where they hold the Famous Reedy Brook Ashes (Cricket) each year. This event brings people from far and wide.