The man was initially arrested by detectives after a probe into illegal weapons and illicit drug allegations at his Emerald property in central Queensland on May 26.
During a search of his property, police seized his mobile phone and found an image allegedly showing two boys aged three and four, bound with duct tape.
Police allege the image showed the man pointing a gun at one child's head and that the man had forwarded the photo to several other people.
The children are both known but not related to the man.
Detective Inspector Luke Peachey described the image as "disturbing", telling reporters he had never seen anything like it in his 26 years of policing.
He confirmed it was being investigated whether the people who allegedly received the images from the man had committed an offence.
"The fact that those children were bound with duct tape, whether it was in jest or whether it was threatening doesn't matter, that's concerning behaviour and we've taken it very seriously," Det Insp Peachey said.
Officers did not believe the image was used as blackmail.
Images supplied by police show the man was allegedly in possession of handguns.
The man was charged with unlawful possession of category H firearms, dangerous conduct with a weapon and two counts of deprivation of liberty.
He was given strict bail conditions and will face Emerald Magistrates Court on August 26.
In a separate incident, a 59-year-old man has been charged with supplying dangerous drugs and child sex abuse.
Police allege the man provided dangerous drugs to a child and raped them between June and July.
The allegations were brought to the attention of police by "concerned community members".
Det Insp Peachey said the man was known to the girl.
Police thanked the community for coming forward to report the matters to officers.
"The Emerald police are committed to supporting victims of sexual abuse with compassion and work diligently and tirelessly to hold offenders accountable through the court system," Detective Sergeant Dylan Brook said.
The man has been charged with grooming a child under 16, rape, supplying dangerous drugs to a minor and breaching bail.
He was remanded in custody to face Emerald Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
