Get down to earth

there's a thrill searching for a sapphire which has been waiting under the surface for millions of years for a visitor just like you to find.

Sapphire Gemfields

Whether you’re a seasoned fossicker taking out a claim for the next 30 years or you’ve arrived on the Sapphire Gemfields for a day of sifting through the rubble, very few places in the world so generously allow you to become a precious stone miner. Come empty handed, leave with precious memories (and if you’re lucky, a precious stone).

Gemshops and Galleries

There’s no better place to purchase an Australianmined and cut sapphire or quality sapphire jewellery. Gem cutters are available to facet your very own find and jewellers will set them into a piece of jewellery that could become a treasured family heirloom.

Fossicking

Try your hand at finding a fortune, with five areas designated for recreational and tourist fossicking across the Sapphire Gemfields. A fossicking licence is required and can be purchased online or at various businesses. They are inexpensive and come with a set of maps and rules. Hand tools and mining equipment are also available for sale or hire

fossicking parks

Fossicking parks enable people of all ages and fitness levels to join the fun of finding a sapphire. With the digging work already done, visitors can buy a bag of wash and start searching straight away. Friendly staff are on hand to provide advice and guidance on how to sieve and sort sapphires.

tag along fossicking tours

Take a tag along fossicking tour to dig, sieve, wash and inspect your very own diggings under guidance from an experienced miner. All equipment is supplied.

walk-in mine tour

Step into another world on a walk-in mine tour where the underground temperature sits at a cool 25 degrees Celsius. Tours take visitors through the network of tunnels, providing insight into the process of underground sapphire mining. Marvel at the tiny tunnels called tummy tunnels used by the pioneer miners.

sapphire gemfields wetland reserve

Get in touch with nature as you walk through 14 hectares of pristine bushland and seasonal wetlands. The reserve has 3.6 kilometres of walking and cycling tracks, a restored historic fossickers home, board walk, viewing platforms and bird watching hide.

Explore more

sapphire gemfields treasure trail

The Sapphire Gemfields Treasure Trail takes visitors on a historic journey, stopping at five interpretive panels and 30 place markers. Using augmented reality and audio posts, the trail tells the stories of the characters, capers and boom or bust nature of the local gem industry.

Begin the trail at Sapphire Reflections, a 12-metre-tall artwork, adorned with sparkling glass panels, located at the Anakie Crossroads.

policeman's knob

Policeman's Knob offers great views over the surrounding landscape and is a perfect spot to take in the sunset. Keep an eye out for rock wallabies who find the rock structure an ideal home.

miners common museum, arts & cultural centre

The Centre is nestled on 20 hectares of walking trails and houses relics from the Sapphire Gemfields’ colourful history. Check for opening times.

miners common

Be ready to give way to cattle, horses and camels when driving around Sapphire and Rubyvale. Known as the heart and soul of the Gemfields, the Miners Common gives residents the right to graze a few head of livestock in all unfenced areas.

four-wheel-drive

Four-wheel-drive or ride your trail bike on the network of dirt roads that crisscross the area. Spend a day exploring the Tomahawk Creek fossicking area with its 2,500 hectares of bush tracks.

geo-caching

Go on a modern day treasure hunt, using a map and GPS to find 19 'gems' hidden across the Sapphire Gemfields.

camping

There’s nothing like spending the night under a star-filled sky. Camping is allowed in most of the designated fossicking areas and permits can be purchased online or at various businesses.

wildlife

The bush surrounds of the Sapphire Gemfields make it a wildlife oasis. Spot brolgas dancing at the wetlands, kangaroos grazing by the road and camels roaming the Miners Common.

bush architecture

Take a drive to see the unusual dwellings of the Sapphire Gemfields. Permanent buildings are not permitted on mining claims causing residents to come up with creative shortterm alternatives.

Like the pioneers before them, many residents use unique and recycled materials such as billy boulders, bush timber, corrugated iron and even glass bottles.

Local Characters

Friendly locals, affectionately called Gemmies, are happy to chat and share fossicking tips and historical tales. Many of the residents today were once tourists who came to visit and never left.

anakie

Discover the oldest town on the Sapphire Gemfields, Anakie, which is rich in both history and gems.

History buffs will enjoy the quaint railway station built in 1884 as part of the rail push into western Queensland. Be sure to look behind the station for the 130-year-old bottle tree, engraved with the initials of soldiers who were on their way to war.

Anakie has a cabin and caravan park.

Sapphire

Sapphire lives up to its name with a host of gem cutters, jewellers and fossicking parks located here. Other gems include the RSL, thrift shop, cafés, general store, service station and a range of accommodation providers.

If you love a photo opportunity, then the Big Ring, Big Spanner, and Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve can all be found in and around Sapphire.

rubyvale

Rubyvale has a lot to offer travellers, from attractions including gem cutters, jewellers, fossicking parks and mine tours, to traveller conveniences including a pub, cafés, general store, service station and accommodation providers.

For something a little wacky, visit the nearby Thong Tree (feel free to add your own broken plugger) or get a photo of the Tellembuggerem road sign.

willows gemfields

For those looking to experience the quiet bush life, you won’t regret a stop at the Willows Gemfields. Located half an hour west of Anakie, the area is a popular spot for fossicking as very little machinery and no corporate mining has been permitted in the past.

Willows Gemfields has a fossicking park, caravan park, general store and service station.

designated Fossicking areas

willows

40km from Anakie | 500mm to 2m deep | greens & yellows

glenalva

20km from Anakie | rarely exceeds 500mm | greens, blue-greens & yellows

middle ridge

3km from Rubyvale | 400mm to 6m deep | blues, corundum

big bessie

2km from Sapphire | rarely exceeds 500mm | greens, yellows & blues

graves hill

3km from Sapphire | 300mm to 3m deep | greens, yellows & blues

tomahawk creek

45km from Rubyvale | 300mm to 1m deep | blues

In addition to the designated fossicking areas there are several areas of designated fossicking land which also allow commercial mining tenure: Sapphire, Scrub Lead, Rubyvale, Divide and Reward. These areas generally encompass deeper wash, however there are areas of ground suitable for hand excavation.

miners heritage walk-in mine

● Fully Guided Underground Mine Tour (min. 2 people) ● Air-Conditioned Showroom ● Makers of Unique Handcrafted Jewellery ● Sapphire Specialists ● Fossick for your own Gems ● Open 7 days: April–Sept 9am till 5pm; Oct–March 9am till 3pm (Closed some Public Holidays)

P 07 4985 4444 E admin@minersheritage.com.au 97 Heritage Road Rubyvale Q 4702 minersheritage.com.au

Rubyvale Gem Gallery

Mining sapphires since 1974

 Gem Gallery  Café  Holiday Apartments

new royal hotel

Award winning true Aussie pub located in the heart of the Gemfi elds. Grab a cold beer or wine and enjoy a great meal, stay in the unique log cabins or recently added motel units, and top up your supplies at the Bottleshop.

P 07 4985 4754 E info@rubyvalehotel.com.au Cnr Keilambete & Goanna Flats Rds Rubyvale Q 4702 rubyvalehotel.com.au

Main Street, Rubyvale 4702 p: 07 49 854 388 e: admin@rubyvalegemgallery.com www.rubyvalegemgallery.com

12th-15th Aug 2021 11th-14th Aug 2022

Alan King Memorial Park, Anakie QLD

WINNER

2007 AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS SPECIALISED TOURISM SERVICES

Sapphire Gemfields Celebration

 Activities & Entertainment  Fabulous prizes to be won  Gems, Jewellery, Crystals & lots more!  Local, National & International exhibitors

P: 0448 681 888 E: info@gemfest.com.au www.gemfest.com.au

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‘Gemfest “Festival of Gems” is funded under the Year of Outback Tourism Events Program’

New owners Darrell & Victoria welcome you to their Tripadvisor 2021 Travellers’ Choice Award Winning Park

More like a retreat than a caravan park – an unforgettable experience. Come and explore the Gem elds and stay in this hidden gem.

One of the best camp kitchens in Australia, undercover BBQ huts with open re places. Large, spacious, shady sites with bush views and privacy, spotless amenity blocks. Beautiful self-contained and budget Billy Boulder cabins that sleep up to 5 people.

Fossicking park & equipment hire | Pet friendly | Swimming pool Concrete pads & drive through sites available

57 Sunrise Road, Sapphire Q 4702 | P: 07 4985 4281 | E: sapphirecaravanpark@gmail.com www.sapphirecaravanpark.com.au

patsgemstouristfossickingpark

extensive range of local top quality sapphires

We offer an amazing array of beautiful handcrafted rings and jewellery, and an extensive range of design and jewellery services. ● Personal design services available ● Special orders welcome ● View and buy online or visit our showroom

P 0417 603 970 E jim.nesbitt@live.com 1052 Rubyvale Road Sapphire Q 4702 sapphireshowcase.com.au

PAT’S GEMS TOURIST FOSSICKING PARK

1056 Rubyvale Rd, Sapphire P/F 07 4985 4544 E patsgems@bigpond.com Sapphire fossicking Open 7 days from 8am

Gemstones & jewellery Licensed café/ restaurant Budget accommodation Souvenirs & much more

blue gem tourist park

● Located on the banks of Retreat Creek – Sapphire ● Green grass/slab sites – vans & camping ● Cabins ● Fossicking park/equipment hire ● Food, fuel, gas, ice ● Pet friendly ● Excellent customer service

P 07 4985 4162 E bluegemtouristpark@bigpond.com 925 Anakie-Sapphire Road Sapphire Q 4702 bluegemtouristpark.com.au