Stock Exchange Arcade

Stock Exchange Arcade - Charters Towers

Discover a grand 1880s building, where fortunes were made and lost, when visiting Charters Towers.

A rare example of an arcade in Queensland, with architecture adapted to the stifling summer climate, the Stock Exchange Arcade – Charters Towers is indicative of the rise and fall of fortune on the goldfields.

Discover features like the tessellated floor in the central hallway, the glass roof and the facade - the aspirational architecture that symbolised the wealth of the region during the nineteenth century.

As you explore the Arcade, experience the unique setting and gain an interesting insight into the history - there is something for everyone.

Open during normal business hours, entry to the Stock Exchange Arcade is free to the public, though donations to assist in maintenance and conservation efforts are always welcome.

Plan Your Visit

Address

76 Mosman Street, Charters Towers, Queensland, 4820

Open Hours

10am to 2pm
Thursday to Saturday

Phone

07 3223 6666

Email

charterstowers@nationaltrustqld.org

Entry Fees

Optional Gold Coin Donation

History

Charters Towers was once a financial hub and the second largest city in Queensland. The Stock Exchange established in this arcade enabled the buying and selling of shares in mining companies, investment or speculative. The evening call was open to the public and hundreds would crowd in the Arcade to be part of the occasion.

Built in 1888, the Royal Arcade housed a number of shops and offices. The Charters Towers Stock Exchange began trading in the arcade in 1890 and continued operations there until 1916, when it closed due to the rapidly diminishing returns from the gold mines and decreased population. The Arcade fell into disrepair but was saved from demolition in the 1970s by the Charters Towers and Dalrymple Historical Society and later transferred to National Trust.

Stock Exchange Arcade
Charters Towers