Celebrating 150 years this year, Clermont remains a vital rural hub for a strong agricultural and mining region.
Story By Paula Heelan
When shepherds found gold beside Clermont’s Hoods Lagoon in 1861, the town gained instant fame. Swiftly inundated with prospectors, it became the first inland settlement north of the Tropic of Capricorn. With a colourful past spiked with drama and tragedy, Clermont was built on gold rushes, copper and coalmines, timber-getters, shearers, stockmen and squatters.
Today, with thriving mining, agricultural and service industries and resources still to be unearthed, this welcoming country town with a population of more than 3700 continues to strengthen and grow.
This story excerpt is from Issue #91
Outback Magazine: Oct/Nov 2013
