Buried treasure awaits!
Explore Anakie, Sapphire, Rubyvale and the Willows Gemfields for guided mine tours, fossicking experiences and dazzling gem galleries.
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.
Explore more of our stories
In 1976, the Bennett family achieved the fossicker’s dream by discovering an extremely rare and priceless natural sapphire crystal known for its distinctive dogtooth shape. Soon named the Tomahawk Tiger for its large size and tiger-striped colouring, its current owner has vowed the gem will never be cut. Discover more intriguing tales along the Sapphire Gemfields Geo-Interpretive Trail.
Location
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: ///buddy.loss.enticed
Where to next?
Geo-Interpretive Trail – ///inner.invoked.haste
Pacey’s Yellow – Glenalva – ///unveiling.immediate.control