Comet was named after the Comet River that runs close to the township. The river itself was named by German explorer and naturalist Ludwig Leichhardt during his first expedition through Central Queensland after observing Comet Wilmot in the western sky in December 1844.
WHISTLE STOP PARK
Dig Tree View the Coolibah tree trunk that Ludwig Leichhardt marked with DIG L and a downward arrow during his second exploration of the region in 1847. DIG L indicated to those who followed that he had buried a powder canister under the tree containing letters and journals.
The marked area of the tree was later removed and is housed in a purpose-built display at Whistle Stop Park just off the Capricorn Highway.
Also located at the park, the old Comet Railway Station houses a display of local memorabilia, including old photographs and heritage railway bridge plans.
Comet Free Library Launched by the local community in late 2021, this bright red cupboard sits in Whistle Stop Park and is brimming with books. Take a book, leave a book!
Take a drive to the historic Comet Cemetery (pictured) and contemplate what may have caused the deaths of 73 people between 1877 and 1879.
The cemetery is one of the 16 historical sites that make up Comet Tales and Walking Trails, a self-guided walk around the township. Map and historic information here.
Be ready to pull over on the Capricorn Highway, between Comet and Blackwater, to snap a photo of Minion Mountain, which is a family of the movie characters Minions, made from recycled materials by a local miner to encourage drivers to take a break.
Click here to learn about the Maria Creek Bore (pictured), a story of a giant natural soda bottle and how coal exploration resulted in the world’s best scones.
Fishing Drop a line into the Comet River under the railway bridge, at the Comet Weir or in the Mackenzie River at Riley’s Crossing.
Fun Fact: Empty beer bottles were used in the structure of the railway bridge built in 1914. They were discovered in 2005 when the bridge was reconstructed.
HANDY LINKS
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