TOURS ATTRACTIONS CLERMONT

In 1860/61 Messrs Hood, Gogg and Manning, who had purchased land on the Peak Downs, sent a party to build huts and yards on their property in readiness for the arrival of sheep. The party consisted of Mr Mingendie (in charge) and Nelson and McDonald. They pitched their tents a short distance down stream from the junction of Sandy and Wolfang Creeks where fine iron bark was to be had for splitting. The only water then was in the lagoon and a small hole just below the present cemetery. Having some experience, they prospected a small gully close to their camp and were fortunate enough in finding payable gold, the rest is history. The town, originally called Hoods Lagoon and later to be named Clermont, was established on the banks of the lagoon. Flooded several times in the next 50 years until the big one in 1916 in which 63 people lost their lives, the town was then moved to its present site. In the late 1970's it was decided to mount a monument in memory of those who lost their lives in the great flood. A competition was held, and the monument design chosen from entries. The popular choice was that of a monolith in the form of a Tree Trunk: a reminder of those lives undoubtedly saved by clinging to trees until they could be rescued. A suitable tree trunk was located, moulds manufactured, and the sections filled with concrete and left to set. It was then assembled on site, painted and the plaques fitted. The Flood Memorial, or "The Stump" as it is affectionately referred to locally, is sited on the corner of Drummond and Capricorn Streets, the site of the Central Tea Rooms in the old town. The memorial was dedicated on Australia Day 1980.

The Clermont Historical Centre and Museum has a collection of 8,000 historical artefacts contributed by local families, companies and properties in the region and a wealth of resources thanks to dedicated volunteers. Some of the Items on display include a power shovel from Blair Athol, an old train, the old Masonic Lodge, an old steam engine which was used to shift the town after the flood, a shearing shed and fire engine - to name but a few.

The Hoods Lagoon and Century Park are situated in the township of Clermont. The township of Clermont was established on the Northern Banks of the Hoods Lagoon in 1862, after the discovery of gold. A memorial plaque at the southern entrance of the Lagoons honours the victims of the 1916 devastating great flood that destroyed the entire business sector and 65 people perished. A marker on the tree depicts the 14 foot six inch level of the flood. Today, this area is a beautiful spot for a family picnic or to just relax and watch the wildlife on the lagoon. The park offers a relaxing venue with barbecue, picnic tables and toilet facilities. There are a number of footpaths and boardwalks around the Lagoon enabling visitors to explore the numerous memorials which have been constructed over the past few years.

A single brick chimney, standing sentinel in the scrub, is now the only one remaining of the fourteen chimneys which once represented the Peak Downs Copper Mines Unlimited. The mine was the first to be worked commercially outside South Australia and also the first rich mine in Queensland. In 1862, a 10 feet high wall of solid copper ore was discovered at Copperfield. Queensland's first copper mine opened and continued until the 1880's when the best quality ore was mined out. The site of Copperfield township, six kilometres south of Clermont and Peak Downs Copper Mine is testimony to the changing fortunes of the mining history. The last of 22 chimney stacks still stands. The bricks were made in Clermont by Welsh Tradesmen. The glossy finish was achieved by powdering glass and sprinkling on the surface. North Copperfield was located on the northern side of the chimney and South Copperfield was about one kilometre down from the chimney on the left side of Rubyvale Road. Copperfield Cemetery is a little further down Rubyvale Road on the right hand side. The old Copperfield Store owned and operated by the Duncan Family, was restored by the inmates of the Western Outreach Camp based in Clermont and opened as a small museum displaying photographs, history and memorabilia from Copperfield.

Following the discovery of gold at Nelson's Gully in 1861, January 1862 saw the first rigging of camps alongside the prospectors on the gentle sloping banks of Hood's Lagoon. Within the year the settlement boasted a general store and around 30 diggings. With essential needs met, the rush was on and by the end of 1863 over 1,000 miners were operating in local fields. The town reserve was proclaimed on 25 March 1864. During this year the town prospered, with the establishment of a Doctor, Newspaper, Banks, Churches and a Hospital. It's believed that Clermont was originally known as 'Hood's Lagoon'. Clermont prospered however flooding was a problem: 1896 saw the fourth flooding since the town's establishment. There was little damage to buildings but the flood on 28 December 1916 resulted in vast destruction of property and loss of life. Following the flood, the town was changed to where the re-built town stands today. The lagoon remained a popular spot for swimming and picnicking, providing the railway's water needs (extended to Clermont in February 1884), serving many windmills along its banks and supplying water for gardens within the new town. The site of the old town, lay dormant for over half a century. It re-established its worth beginning with the placement of the Flood Memorial in 1980, followed by tree plantings, replacement of the lagoon bridge, sporting ovals and the general beatification of the Lagoon area with the walkway (now night-lit) and its many monuments to our past. A quiet place to have a picnic, talk to a stranger, watch a game of cricket or softball, fly a kite, go for a leisurely walk, snap off a photo or two, have a barbecue, you might even be lucky enough to spot the koala, the latest resident to the area.