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Fossicking Areas

Declared fossicking areas

The following is a list of declared fossicking areas as at January 2008. Further information is available from the nearest office of the Department of Mines and Energy.

Central Queensland

Big Bessie (PDF, 58 kB)* Fossicking Area (Sapphire)
Located on the central Queensland gemfields, Big Bessie is a small area lying within the Sapphire Designated Fossicking Land. Though sapphire-bearing shallow wash covering most of the area 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.
Glenalva (PDF, 50 kB)* Fossicking Area (Anakie)
Located on the Central Queensland gemfields, Glenalva is about 20 km southwest of Anakie. There is a wide variety of coloured sapphires in the shallow wash covering most of this area. Camping is allowed but regulated to a maximum period of three months. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.
Graves Hill (PDF, 55 kB)* Fossicking Area (Sapphire)
Graves Hill extends from the south-west 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 116 ha area. Camping is allowed but regulated to a maximum period of three months. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.
Middle Ridge (PDF, 65 kB)* Fossicking Area (Rubyvale)
Middle Ridge is a small Fossicking Area (32 ha) between the designated fossicking lands of Divide and Rubyvale on the Central Queensland gemfields. Sapphire and zircon 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 (PDF, 60 kB)* Fossicking Area (Rubyvale)
Although on the Central Queensland gemfields, at 45 km north-west of Rubyvale, Tomahawk Creek is more remote. There are blue and 'fancy' coloured sapphires in the generally shallow wash of the area, which may be of many different types. Camping is allowed but regulated to a maximum period of three months. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.

South-East Queensland

Deep Creek (PDF, 32 kB)* Fossicking Area (Gympie)
Deep Creek lies just off the Bruce Highway at Gympie about 170 km north of Brisbane in South-East Queensland. Alluvial gold can be found by panning the wash from along the banks and bed of the creek, especially from the inside of creek bends. Camping is prohibited on the Fossicking Area. However, hotel/motel accommodation is available in the town along with caravan parks which provide for campers.
Thanes Creek (PDF, 49 kB)* Fossicking Area (Warwick)
This is a small area about 40 km west of Warwick and about 160 km south west of Brisbane in South-East Queensland. Alluvial gold can be found by panning the sediments within the stream channel and from gravel layers in the low bank or crevices in rock bars. In dry times, water may be scarce. Camping is prohibited on the Fossicking Area. However, accommodation and caravan parks are available nearby in Warwick.

North Queensland

Mount Gibson (PDF, 175 kB)* Fossicking Area (Innot Hot Springs)
Mount Gibson is about 5 km north-west of Innot Hot Springs on the Kennedy Highway between the small townships of Mount Garnet and Ravenshoe. Fossickers know the area well as place for collecting gem topaz. Much of the area is strongly mineralised and many of the creeks and gullies have been worked for alluvial tin. Quartz crystal and cassiterite also occur. Camping is prohibited on the Fossicking Area but camping and caravan park facilities and accommodation are available at Innot Hot Springs.
Agate Creek (PDF, 262 kB)* Fossicking Area (Forsayth)
Agate Creek is about 340 krn west of Townsville. 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; chalcedony and thunder eggs are also found. 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 (PDF, 66 kB)* Fossicking Area (Mount Surprise)
O'Briens Creek is located north-west of Mount Surprise which is about 200 km south-west of Cairns. The main gem variety found here is topaz. Citrine, smoky quartz and aquamarine also occur 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.

South-West Queensland

Yowah (PDF, 97 kB)* Fossicking Area (Cunnamulla)
Yowah is about 100 km west of Cunnamulla in the south-west corner of Queensland. In this region, boulder opal can be found in siliceous ironstone nodules or 'Yowah Nuts' as they are generally known. 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.

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 Designated fossicking lands

The following is a list of designated fossicking lands as at January 2008.

Central Queensland

Divide (PDF, 471.9 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Rubyvale)
Divide lies west of Rubyvale on the Central Queensland gemfields. It is a sapphire-bearing area, with both shallow and at-depth wash strata. Camping is allowed, but regulated to three months maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.
Reward (PDF, 80 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Sapphire)
Reward is west of Sapphire township on the Central Queensland gemfields. Sapphires are found in both deep and shallow wash strata, with the most popular area on the western boundary where the wash is shallow. Camping is allowed but regulated to three months maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.
Rubyvale (PDF, 471.9 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Rubyvale)
Located on the Central Queensland gemfields, this fossicking land is situated at Rubyvale, and extends north and west of the township. Sapphires found in this area are mostly at depth and extensive mining tenures in the area limit opportunities for fossickers. However, some tenure holders (if asked) do not object to fossickers scavenging their tailing dumps. Camping is prohibited within 1.5 km of Rubyvale Post Office, though it is allowed elsewhere but regulated to three months maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required. Accommodation or camping facilities are available in Rubyvale.
Sapphire (PDF, 28 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Sapphire)
Located on the Central Queensland gemfields, this fossicking land surrounds the township of Sapphire. As the name suggests, sapphires are found in this area and are best developed in the shallow wash from the town towards the northern boundary. Extensive past mining and numerous mining tenures in the area limit opportunities for fossickers. Camping is prohibited within 1.5 km of Sapphire Post Office, though it is allowed elsewhere but regulated to three months maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required. Accommodation or camping facilities are available in Sapphire.
Scrub Lead (PDF, 471.9 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Rubyvale/Sapphire)
Scrub Lead adjoins Sapphire and Rubyvale Designated Fossicking Lands on the central Queensland gemfields. Some of the best blue sapphires have been mined from this area. However, fossicking is very limited because of the extent of disturbed ground, depth of wash and current mining tenures. Camping is prohibited within 1.5 km of Rubyvale or Sapphire Post Offices. It is allowed elsewhere but regulated to three months maximum. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required. Accommodation or camping facilities are available nearby.
Willows (PDF, 44 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Willows Gemfields)
Willows is located about 30 km southwest of Anakie on the Central Queensland gemfields. Sapphires found here are mostly yellows and greens, though zircons and rare diamonds have also been found. Gems occur in shallow wash, with the favourite spots reasonably close to town. Camping is prohibited, although there are caravan parks and camping facilities available in the township.

Western Queensland

Opalton (PDF, 49 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Winton)
Opalton is located about 100 km south south-west 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.

South-West Queensland

Duck Creek (PDF, 112.7 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Quilpie)
Duck Creek is located about 100 km south south-east of Quilpie in South-West Queensland (Sheep Station Creek is in the same vicinity). Boulder opal is found in this area in ironstone concretions (boulders) or as chips and fragments. Small-scale hand mining under mining claims is currently carried out in this area. Camping is allowed but regulated. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.
Sheep Station Creek (PDF, 112.7 kB)* Designated Fossicking Land (Quilpie)
Sheep Station Creek lies south-south-east of Quilpie in South-West Queensland. In this area, boulder opal occurs in ironstone concretions (boulders) or as chips and fragments in spoil dumps. Small-scale hand mining under mining claims is currently carried out in this area. Camping is allowed but regulated. A Fossickers Camping Permit is required.

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General permission areas

The following is a list of general permission areas as at January 2008.

Before visiting any general permission areas, detailed information about what conditions apply to each area should be sought from the Mining Registrar at the District Office of the Department of Mines and Energy for the mining district in which the area is located.

Brisbane Mining District

Swipers Gully (PDF, 113 kB)* (Passchendaele State Forest SF263 Stanthorpe)
Swipers Gully is located in the Passchendaele State Forest (SF263) about 15km northwest of Stanthorpe in South East Queensland. The gems topaz and smoky quartz have been found in this area.
Chinchilla (PDF, 415 kB)*
Chinchilla, which is about 250km west northwest of Brisbane in South East Queensland is a popular collecting locality for good quality petrified wood suitable for ornamental and lapidary use.

Emerald Mining District

The old gold mining district surrounding Clermont attracts interest from fossickers and metal detector enthusiasts. There are a number of separate areas available. These are:

(Click on links to view separate area maps in PDF format). They are located in state forests or reserves, and special conditions apply.

Georgetown Mining District

Moonstone Resources Reserve (PDF, 347.2 kB)*
Moonstone Hill is located adjacent to the Kennedy Development Road about 90km south of The Lynd. Gem quality feldspar 'moonstone' occurs at this locality.

Mount Isa Mining District

Castle Mount (Cloncurry)
Castle Mount is about 100km south of Cloncurry in North West Queensland. Amethystine quartz is found at this area.
Kuridala (Cloncurry)
Kuridala is located about 65km south of Cloncurry in North West Queensland. Amethyst is found at this location.
Top Camp (Cloncurry)
Top Camp is located about 20km east of Cloncurry in the Fisher Creek area of North West Queensland. Alluvial gold is found at this location.
Wee McGregor (Cloncurry)
Wee McGregor is situated about 12km south of the deserted township of Mary Kathleen between Mt Isa and Cloncurry in North West Queensland. Staurolite 'maltese crosses' can be found in this region.

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For further information contact the nearest office of the Department Mines and Energy.

If you have difficulty downloading any of these documents, or would like a copy sent by mail, please contact:

DME Information Centre
Level 2, Mineral House
41 George Street
Brisbane Q 4001
Phone: +61 7 3237 1434
Email: DME Information Centre

* Requires Acrobat Reader

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Last Updated 16 June 2008