Central
Queensland Gemfields
Big Bessie is a small area which lies
within the Sapphire Designated Fossicking Land.
Sapphire bearing shallow wash covers most of the
area and it has been extensively worked. There
are still a few patches of undisturbed ground
left which are likely to contain sapphires.
Camping is allowed but regulated to three months
maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is
required.
Graves Hill extends from the southwest
corner of the Sapphire Designated Fossicking
Land on the central Queensland gemfields. Green,
yellow and blue sapphires have been found in the
shallow wash which covers more than half of this
116ha area. Camping is allowed but regulated to
a maximum period of three months. A Fossickers
Camping Permit is required.
Middle
Ridge is a small Fossicking Area (32ha)
located between the Designated Fossicking Lands
of Divide and Rubyvale on the central Queensland
gemfields. Sapphire and zircon gems can be found
in the mostly shallow wash of this area. Camping
is allowed but regulated to a maximum period of
three months. A Fossickers Camping Permit is
required.
Tomahawk Creek is more remotely
located some 45km northwest of Rubyvale. Blue
and 'fancy' coloured sapphires have been found
in the generally shallow wash which may be of
many different types in this area. Camping is
allowed but regulated to a maximum period of
three months. A Fossickers Camping Permit is
required.
North Queensland
Mount Gibson is about 5km northwest of
Innot Hot Springs situated on the Kennedy
Highway between the small townships of Mount
Garnet and Ravenshoe, North Queensland. The area
is well known by fossickers as a collecting
locality for gem topaz. Much of the area is
strongly mineralised and many of the creeks and
gullies in the vicinity have been worked for
alluvial tin. Quartz crystal and cassiterite are
also found here. Camping is prohibited on the
Fossicking Area but camping/caravan park
facilities and accommodation are available at
Innot Hot Springs.
Agate Creek is about 340krn west of
Townsville in North Queensland. Access, while
suitable for conventional vehicles in normal
conditions, may not be possible during the wet
season. This area is known for agates of superb
colour and pattern, also found are chalcedony
and thunder eggs. Agates can be separated from
the decomposed lava formations by hand
excavation and from alluvium (soil, gravel) in
or near creeks and gullies (usually dry).
Camping is prohibited on the Fossicking Area but
is catered for nearby.
O'Briens Creek is located northwest of
Mount Surprise in North Queensland about 200km
southwest of Cairns. The main gem variety found
here is topaz. Citrine, smoky quartz and
aquamarine are also found in the alluvial
gravels. Camping is prohibited on the Fossicking
Area, however, the land owner allows camping at
a site nearby where some facilities are
provided.
Chudleigh Park is situated about 155km
north of Hughenden and 280km west of Townsville
in central North Queensland. Gem quality peridot
is found in this location.
Moonstone Hill is located adjacent to the
Kennedy Development Road about 90km south of The
Lynd. Gem quality feldspar 'moonstone' occurs at
this locality.
Kuridala is located about 65km south of
Cloncurry in North West Queensland. Amethyst is
found at this location
Western Queensland
Yowah is about 100km west of Cunnamulla
in the southwest corner of Queensland. In this
region, boulder opal can be found in siliceous
ironstone nodules or "Yowah Nuts" as they are
generally referred to. Chips of opal or
fragments of ironstone matrix can also be found
by specking the ground surface or digging in
shallow ground. Camping is prohibited in the
Fossicking Area. However, accommodation or
camping facilities are available nearby.
Opalton is located about 100km south
southwest of Winton in Central Western
Queensland. Boulder opal can be found in the
spoil dumps of old workings and shallow ground.
Camping is allowed but regulated to three months
maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is
required. A private campsite with toilets,
shower and water is nearby.
