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Glen Innes and surrounds
- On the northern border of New South Wales, in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, lies one of Australia’s most renowned fossicking sites. Glen Innes and surrounds is the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and one of the world’s richest mineral diversity belts.
www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2021/08/places-to-fossick-for-gemstones-in-australia/
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Feb 3, 2024 · The Sapphire Coast is a spectacular area of the South Coast of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia. Featuring breathtaking beaches, mesmerising coastal rock formations and captivating national parks, the Sapphire Coast is one of the most stunning yet underrated areas in NSW.
5 days ago · White-sand beaches and aquamarine waters hug the Sapphire Coast, creating countless opportunities to take panoramic photos of this dazzling New South Wales coastline. The region is perfect for everyone from surfers to hikers, and world-class seafood makes it an ideal destination for foodies, too.
- Oberon, New South Wales
- Coober Pedy, South Australia
- Killiecrankie Bay, Tasmania
- Inverell, New South Wales
- The Gemfields, Queensland
- Glen Innes, New South Wales
- Harts Range, Northern Territory
- Mount Hope, New South Wales
- Mount Surprise, Queensland
- Newry Station, Northern Territory
About 150km west of Sydney, this small town nestled in the shadow of the Blue Mountains has five unique fossicking sites designated for the public. Visitors can search for sapphires, zircon, gold and diamond.
About 750km north-west of Adelaide, Coober Pedy is one of Australia’s most prolific opal-mining areas— up there with Lightning Ridge. Visitors are free to sift through opal mine tailings at the Jewell Box, an area still used as a mine dump. Avid ‘noodlers’ may find small opals or pieces of colourful potch (low-quality opal) in the tailings.
Beachgoers and fossickers are drawn to this remote bay at the northern end of Flinders Island, Tasmania. Careful beachcombers may uncover specimens of topaz – known locally as Killiecrankie diamonds – at low tide.
Lovers of sapphire can explore fossicking sites throughout the Inverell district, which is located on the western slopes of the New England Tablelands in northern New South Wales. Several privately owned mines offer advice and equipment for beginners.
Visitors to Sapphire in central Queensland, 285km west of Rockhampton, don’t have to leave town to discover gems. For the adventurous, however, there are 11 local fossicking areas, many of which yield multi-coloured sapphires and zircon. Beginners can hire equipment and ask for advice at Blue Hollow Mine, near the Big Bessie fossicking area.
On the northern border of New South Wales, in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, lies one of Australia’s most renowned fossicking sites. Glen Innes and surrounds is the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and one of the world’s richest mineral diversity belts. Fossicking in New South Wales does not require a license, so visitors ca...
Garnet lovers may be lucky enough to find large, well-shaped gems in this region, 125km north-east of Alice Springs. The Spotted Tiger campground is a designated fossicking area and an excellent place to start.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mt Hope, 600km west of Sydney, was a copper mine. A huge bushfire during the 1950s saw its closure and the area has since become a ghost town, with a population of just more than 50. However, brave fossickers may chance upon an abundance of rock crystal half a metre below the surface.
Topaz, aquamarine and smoky quartz were once of little value to tin miners who worked this area, about 280km north-west of Townsville. It’s no surprise then that nice specimens have been found near old mine sites close to the banks of the Elizabeth and O’Briens creeks. Beginners can take fossicking tours from Mount Surprise Gems, while the more exp...
Head 750km south-west of Darwin and you’ll find the Newry fossicking area on dirt-swept Newry Station. The site is famous for being one of only two places on Earth where zebra rock, also known as Kimberley siltstone, has been found.
- See the Camel Rock in Bermagui. Just north of the town of Bermagui lies the scenic beauty of Camel Rock. Why does it have this name? This rock formation looks like a camel!
- Visit the Blue Pool in Bermagui. Continuing along the list of natural beauties is the Blue Pool in Bermagui. This is the most famous ocean rock pool on the Sapphire Coast.
- Have some of the best sourdough you’ll ever have at Honorbread. Looking for places to eat in Bermagui, I was stunned to come across a tiny little bakery with the highest Google rating I’ve ever seen.
- Visit the historical village of Tilba. If you love cute country towns and boutique stores, you’ll be blown away by Tilba. Just a minute detour from the Princes Highway and you’ll find yourself in this lovely township.
THE far-south coast of New South Wales is known as the Sapphire Coast for good reason. In the warmer months it positively shines. Here’s 14 reasons to pay the region a visit. 1. Best bush walks on the Sapphire Coast.
- Elisabeth Knowles
Discover the best of Merimbula & the Sapphire Coast. Find stunning beaches, spectacular wilderness, delicious oysters and charming towns in the jewel of the unspoilt South Coast.
It’s a small wonder that more and more people are flocking to Glen Innes Highlands to fossick. We're part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales, which has the world’s richest mineral diversity belt. It’s internationally famous for deep rich, royal blue sapphires.
