Like many north Queensland mining towns, Collinsville has had to adapt to survive … and it is now looking to grey nomads rather than coal to keep its economy booming.
As part of the strategy to draw in more caravanners and motorhomers, a free 72-hour rest zone was set up earlier this year, and a crowdfunding effort also saw the erection of a life-sized brass pit pony in the heart of the town.
Pit ponies were once a friend in a dark place for many underground coal miners, and locals hope they will continue to lead people out of the darkness by attracting tourists and the much sought after grey dollar.
“We are now the pit pony capital of Australia and there is something to come to Collinsville to look at in the way of tourism,” Janet Lobegeier, an owner of the Pit Pony Tavern told the ABC. “With the downturn in the coal, we had seen what was a booming little town get pretty quiet.”
Ms Lobegeier said travellers used to drive past Collinsville to go to Lake Elphinstone thinking there was nothing there except coal mining … but the free rest area and the pit pony were helping to change that. “We have museums and historical societies and, of course, now the pit pony that we are promoting and it’s worth stopping,” she told the ABC. “It’s great for the town — they spend a few dollars and the town loves it.”
And the grey nomads are pretty happy, too.
Victorians Kevin and Glenis Jacobs recently visited Collinsville for the first time as they took the inland route home rather than the dreaded Bruce Highway.
“We went across the road to the Coalface Museum and that’s how we found out about the miners who died here, and they all died young which was incredible,” Mr Jacobs told the ABC. “Anyone who comes this way, don’t go down the Bruce Highway, go inland … the traffic is better and the town’s people are really friendly.”
* Have you visited Collinsvale? Do you try to avoid the Bruce Highway on your way up or down the east coast? Comment below.
Great news, we will come and visit. we make an effort to support rv friendly towns.
We spent 2 nights in Collinsville during the month of August. We loved the little town and really enjoyed the Coalface Museum/Experience at the Workers Club. We stayed at the free rest area (showground) opposite the Workers Club spent a little there and also had a meal at the Pit Pony Tavern. We met some lovely local people and really enjoyed this town the people are friendly and it is a worthwhile stop. We hope that tourism can generate income for this town.