Australian Facetors' Guild Limited

Fossicking

NSW

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.