Angor to Zillmanton

Writing this book has been a journey. Its well springs covered most of Queensland from a boy running through the scrubs with a dog and a rifle, learning of the bullockies and their teams and the old fossickers' huts of beaten kerosene tins on White Hill at Clermont, to the man receiving instruction in tin prospecting with old miners at Herberton and gold with the solitary prospector on the Palmer.

It travelled back through our past and on into our future with the hospitality of the bush folk, their stories, theories and dreams. It lead past the realisation of changes in attitudes of all the people who made and make up this country. It let to the secret places, the lost places and deserted towns.

With a great deal of help from sources too numerous to mention these stories, plans, and photos have melded from vague semblance to clear coherence. To those willing helpmates and encouragers I offer my heartfelt gratitude. The journey was partly completed by visiting all those old towns with a dog and battered Landrover as companions. The book itself is the real journey, completed only when it leads back to oneself.

Encyclopedic Volume:Angor to Zillmanton

is described by Nicholas Rothwell in "The Monthly" as one of the most majestic volumes ever produced in Australia.

The first edition is the product of 9½ years’ research and 6 months of bush travel. It tells the stories of 520 deserted towns and mining camps in north Queensland. Maps, photos, information co-ordinates, and anecdotal stories exist for every town and the book is set out in districts.

The book contains great detail including diagrammatic explanation of gold extraction techniques. It has been described as an encyclopedic book of deserted towns.

"The book's components form a balance - the photography, the maps and the anecdotes distil whole sagas and traditions" Nicholas Rothwell.

At present the book is in its 7th edition (2011).
Throughout the revisions a further 10 years’ research has been added.

Reference and Further Articles

A to Z is used as a reference for Department of Natural Resources, Qld Mining Council, Heritage Council, Heritage Trails, libraries, mining groups, local history research, family history, amateur fossickers, 4 WD enthusiasts information centres and tourists, writers of historical fiction and even real estate developers.

Articles have been published in the

Colin has been guest speaker at the Museum of Tropical Queensland, ABC breakfast radio and municipal libraries

Interest in the book has increased steadily.

ISBN 095775006
Copyright