The leader of a convoy of anti-Adani protesters, which descended on the tiny coal mining town of Clermont in central Queensland, says some people felt threatened by the frosty welcome from pro-coal locals.

Key points: Police say a prank fire-cracker was set off near where activists were camping overnight, but no other complaints about safety were made

Police say a prank fire-cracker was set off near where activists were camping overnight, but no other complaints about safety were made The Bob Brown Foundation convoy travelled 5,000km from Tasmania to Queensland to protest the Adani coal mine

The Bob Brown Foundation convoy travelled 5,000km from Tasmania to Queensland to protest the Adani coal mine Pro-Adani supporters Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson were present for the group's arrival on Saturday

Police are investigating after a prank firecracker was set off overnight, near where activists were staying.

"Some people did get very frightened yesterday and so they might, when they're being threatened, when you have women alone in cars with children," Bob Brown said.

"Older women and older men being threatened with obscene language, people banging on their cars and stones being thrown … that's frightening."

The 400-strong group were greeted by "Start Adani" placards and heckled by pro-coal locals as they drove into town on Saturday.

The Bob Brown Foundation convoy travelled from Tasmania to Queensland's Central Highlands to protest against the coal mine proposed for the Galilee Basin.

Clermont has about 3,000 residents and is the closest major town to the proposed site.

Police said there were reports of gunshot-like sounds near the showgrounds where protestors were camped, but further investigation found the sound came from a prank-device, which detonated around 200 metres from the campsite.

"Clearly that there were some emotions running between the local people with the people arriving from out of town in the convoy," Inspector O'Connell said.

"They gave them a fairly narrow access and gave them a fair bit of jeering and the general message of course of not being welcome in the town."

He said police were deployed "rapidly" to ensure the vehicles got through, and said nothing escalated to threaten the safety of the people in the convoy.

"There's been no complaints to us of anything criminal … I'm sure it was a moment of concern though for people in the convoy to get through that, but I'm sure they were also quite reassured to see a very strong policing presence there," he said.

Wangan and Jangalingu dancers welcomed the Stop Adani convoy at the Clermont show grounds. ( ABC News: Rachel McGhee )

The convoy held a peaceful protest in the showgrounds on Sunday, with workshops and speeches from local indigenous leaders.

"We are not imitating nature, we are part of nature. You destroy nature and you destroy us," Uncle Adrian Burragubba said.

In a counter-rally effort, some local businesses closed their doors to the protesters over the weekend and held pro-coal demonstrations of their own.

A sign outside a pub in Clermont. ( ABC News: Rachel McGhee )

Local opposition to the convoy has garnered support from across the political spectrum.

United Australia Party leader Clive Palmer was in Clermont to voice his support for the project and industry.

"The United Australia Party is happy to support anything that we can sell on the market to the world that can create jobs for Australia," Mr Palmer said.

"What's happening to this country? We've got to get it going again. We've got to give it a kick."

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson with Clermont locals. ( ABC News: Rachel McGhee )

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also addressed the crowd saying she supported the jobs that would come out of the project.

"I'm sorry this is very political, because it depends on which politicians you put into parliament whether coal mining goes ahead," Ms Hanson said.

Resources Minister Matt Canavan said the region relied on the coal industry.

"I know, talking to people in this region they do want a future for their kids, they want a future for their kids who has a job here in the region," Mr Canavan said.

"That's why they support projects like Adani that are going to provide thousands of jobs in Central Queensland.

"I want to thank Bob Brown for getting us all together, he's done an excellent job of just combining and uniting the whole Central Queensland community in favour of jobs.

"It's just a bit of a shame that Bob Brown set out from Tasmania on a lecturing tour, not a listening tour."

Adani supporters gather at a pub in Clermont. ( ABC News: Rachel McGhee )

But leader of the convoy, Mr Brown, said politicians should be focussing on developing alternative industries.

"Let's hear it from the civic authorities and the state authorities about that spectacular country that we just drove through," Mr Brown said.

"That's going to be attracting jobs and businesses through tourism and hospitality to this region long after coal has gone."

Frosty reception from local business owners

Publican Leslie Boal was among a number of local business owners who had refused service to protesters this weekend.

Clermont publican Les Boal. ( ABC News: Jemima Burt )

"We don't want people from down south coming up here and telling us how to run our state," Mr Boal said.

"It's going to cost the economy a lot of money if these mines are closed.

"We're not too worried about the business side of things, it's only for a couple of days. It's better for us [to refuse service] in the long run."

Coal miner Neville Haselgrove travelled 75 kilometres to join the counter-protest.

Clermont locals make their support for Adani clear. ( ABC News: Jemima Burt )

"I'm not from this town but we stand in solidarity mate, we work together."

"This is our livelihood, not theirs," he said.