Welcome to Rubyvale

You are currently standing in what was once called Policeman’s Creek Camp. In the early 1900s, when gold prices fell, miners from the Clermont goldfields flocked here in search of sapphires. Most of the deeper mining took place around this area with shafts sunk on Bedford Hill, Scrub Lead, Normans Hill and Divide. This activity led to numerous processing plants and puddlers springing up along Policeman’s Creek.

→

In 1907, the Royal Hotel opened to a population of more than 300 miners, with Kate Leahy as licensee. While awaiting its construction, Kate reportedly ran a grog shop from a tent across the road. The original Royal Hotel surrendered its licence in June 1961, but remained as a general store and residence until it was completely destroyed by fire in 1987. The New Royal Hotel, across the road from here, was built in 1997 on the same site where Kate Leahy’s hotel had opened 90 years earlier.

→

In 1908, at the height of the first boom, with a burgeoning population, the camp was proclaimed a township and named Rubyvale to coincide with the opening of the Rubyvale Provisional School.

↓

Policeman’s Creek wash plant

Rubyvale Hotel

Rubyvale Provisional School, 1932

Harry ‘Bear’ Spencer joy riding with visiting sapphire buyers

Since those early days, Rubyvale has been home to its share of colourful characters, including gem merchants like Harry Spencer – the man who sold a host of famous stones, including the Black Star of Queensland, to renowned USA gem merchants, the Kazanjian Brothers.

→

In the boom of the 1970s, Rubyvale was the main hub for the sapphire buyers from Thailand. In 1980, it hosted the inaugural Gemfields Ironman Wheelbarrow Derby, an annual event that attracted runners from all over Australia for 20 years until the year 2000.

→

In 1983, it was the location for the filming of the movie Buddies, starring Colin Friels, Kris McQuade and a raft of extras from the local community.

→

While here, be sure to discover all that Rubyvale has to offer. Indulge yourself in the exquisite gem and jewellery stores. Participate in an underground mine tour or try your luck at a local fossicking park. Friendly staff will provide advice and guidance on how to sieve for sapphires. Once you have your eye in, you can venture out to the fossicking areas and dig for your own treasure. Quality sapphires have been found in and around Rubyvale, so it is always worth a go.

↓

Gem cutter in Policeman’s Creek Camp, 1905

Early Sapphire buyers, 1905

Rubyvale Post Office, 1930s

follow the trail

Sapphire Gemfields geo-interpretive trail

The Sapphire Gemfields Geo-Interpretive Trail is a series of storytelling signs that lead you on a colourful journey through Anakie, Willows Gemfields, Sapphire, and Rubyvale.

→

Each town has a central node with a map that indicates where to find nearby interpretive place markers, which detail the fascinating past and present of our unique part of the world.

→

All you need is a vehicle and an appetite for adventure!

Learn about:
> famous gemstones
> characters and capers
> booms and busts
> fossicking
> geological marvels

↓

Rough sapphires

Fossicking at a tourist park

Underground mine tour

Find your way

Download what3words to easily navigate between the Geo-Interpretive Trail nodes and place markers. This app can work offline and gives each location a unique three-word identifier, bypassing the need for street names and an internet connection. Simply enter your next destination’s identifier (each sign lists its three closest signs) and follow the app’s directions. Learn more about using what3words at centralqueenslandhighlands.com.au

↓

Fossicking & camping

Fossicking is allowed at Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands but you must first buy a fossicking licence online at qld.gov.au or from authorised local agents.
Licences are not required at tourist mines and similar sites that charge an entry fee.
You will need a fossicking camping permit to camp in Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands. These are available through the same outlets.

What’s the difference?

Fossicking Areas and Designated Fossicking Lands are both open to anyone with a current fossicking licence. While Areas are reserved exclusively for recreational use, Lands also permit commercial mining to take place nearby.

heard of geocaching?

Geocaching is a treasure hunt with something for everyone. Using map coordinates and a GPS-enabled device, you can find a geocache near your home – in the city or the country. Even in Antarctica! Geocaches (geo meaning earth, and cache meaning hidden treasure) come in all shapes, sizes and skill levels. Our Geo-Interpretive Trail is set amongst an array of geocaching locations. The sites can be found at geocaching.com.au.

↓

Location

Open in Apple Maps

Open in Google Maps

Open in What 3 Words

what3words

Download the what3words app to help you follow the Trail.
Here are the ///what3words identifiers for this location and for the three closest stops:

You are here: ///autopilot.assumes.meadow

Where to next?

Welcome to Sapphire – ///totals.treat.condoned

Treasures in Volcano Country – Rubyvale – ///venturing.microfilm.bestsellers

Black Star House – Rubyvale – ///cascaded.locking.pesto