Kidston, a once-bustling mining town on the west bank of Queensland’s Copperfield River, has seen its fortunes shift in dramatic ways over the past century. Its story began in 1907 with the discovery of gold, sparking what became known as the Oaks Rush. This discovery catalysed rapid growth, drawing miners and prospectors from across the north, hopeful to strike it rich. Within the first three years, approximately 622,000 grams of gold were mined, transforming Kidston into a lively hub seemingly overnight. By 1908, around 1,400 residents filled the town’s tents and makeshift lodgings, and a hefty 430,000 grams of gold had been extracted from the earth beneath their feet.

The Oaks Rush was the heartbeat of Kidston’s early years, where fortunes flowed with the gold extracted from the Copperfield River’s bedrock. Though mining activity declined over the years, the mine continued operating, intermittently, until its first closure in 1945. Kidston’s revival came in 1979 when Kidston Gold Mines resumed full-scale production, driving a new wave of growth and activity. This resurgence, however, was temporary. Kidston’s mine ceased operations permanently in 2001, leaving a legacy of gold and an uncertain future as mining structures lay dormant and the township grew silent.