It is no secret that many Outback communities are doing it tough and are growing increasingly reliant on grey nomad visitors to stay viable. And that’s why the remote Queensland town of Mount Morgan is in shock at the forced closure of one of its biggest tourism drawcards.
The ABC reports that, after 12 years behind the wheel, a tour bus operator that takes people on a guided driving tour of the old Mount Morgan gold mine – once one of the biggest in the world – has called it quits.
John Steinberger said battling government bureaucracy and increasingly limited access to the site had taken its toll.
“It became basically, in my opinion, unviable,” he told the ABC. “Where I’m coming from is realistically, the tours are just not viable if you keep reducing back the main attractions.”
A few months ago, the Department of Mines and Energy decided that only 4WDs could drive up the dirt track to reach the pit, meaning Mr Steinberger’s bus could not go there. A large part of Mr Steinberger’s tour had been taking people up the track to view the mine’s expansive open cut pit.
The department has also cordoned off several historic workshop buildings filled with asbestos and is due to demolish them soon.
Another significant attraction on-site that is also managed by the department — fireclay caverns with dinosaur footprints — has been closed to Mr Steinberger’s tours for six years due to safety concerns.
The gold mine, which pumped enormous wealth into the central Queensland region during its 108-year lifespan, closed in 1990. The ABC reports that it had become an official ward of the state due to its toxic environmental legacy, but was also a historical curiosity for tourists.
Local business owner Kerrilyn Page said losing the gold mine tour was another blow to Mount Morgan.
“It has really knocked locals and businesses for a bit of a six,” she told the ABC. “But the town’s known as a proud town and we’ll do whatever we can to rebuild it again and move on from this latest hit.”
Mines and Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said in a statement the department was working on future options for the Mount Morgan mine site.
“But we must make public safety the first priority,” he said.
Yes we have and stayed at the Silver Wattle caravan park, we went specifically to see the mine.
It was a great tour we really enjoyed it
Did the tour first time..pity it is closing but we still return and stay at Silver Wattle. Why. Great little park and real friendly town..Bowls at Welfare bowls, learn history walking the cemetary, pinics by the dam. Mt Morgan is just one of little communities that has a little bit of magic that makes you want to return