Ravenswood

This tiny  town was once a bustling gold mining town like so many others.   Today there is still a working gold mine operating here, employing about 300 people.   Most of them are driven in each day from Charters Towers and Townsville.     The local population is around 100.    We were going to stay a day and ended up staying 3.   Lots to see, even though in theory, there are two pubs operating, a post office/general store, a museum and an antique/arts/crafts shop.   Really enjoyed exploring the old mines, the equipment and brick chimneys dotting the landscape.  Had a  drink at the two pubs, the Imperial Hotel below is a beauty.   Pretty much original right down to the iron beds,timber wardrobes and dressers in the upstairs bedrooms, the furniture in the dining room is more than 100y.o. and the timberwork in the bar was all hand made on site also more than 100 years ago.  Leadlight panels came from France.   Way too much money being made from gold way back then.  Couldnt find that elusive gold nugget for ourselves, but did see a couple of gem cars that would bring some good dollars if they were back home.