Emerald is located in Central Queensland, approximately 880 kilometres northwest of Brisbane. It sits inland, in the heart of the Central Highlands region, and is accessible from Brisbane by road, rail, or a short regional flight. While Brisbane lies on the coast, Emerald is more rural and remote—surrounded by agricultural land, mining activity, and natural beauty, including nearby national parks and the Gemfields. The drive from Brisbane typically takes around 10 hours, making Emerald a significant step into the outback from the state’s capital.