Willows Gemfields acquired its name towards the end of the 1940s, taken from its postal centre “Willows” located at the rail siding 15 kilometres away. Prior to that, this area was simply referred to as “the mines”. Some of the world’s most famous sapphires were found here including Harold Clifton-Parr’s 322-carat golden yellow, the “Golden Willow”. In the early days, miners would have a billy of “cutters” by smoko! Today, however, we’re lucky to have a “cutter” by smoko; a “cutter” being a stone worth faceting.

John & Linda Halcrow, former proprietors of theWillows Gemfields Caravan Park and Post Office

Local fossicker, Les Beard

Local gem cutter, Peter Laws

Peter Laws and his brother Heinz at Peter’s residence, 1960s

Rene Rennie, Vi Cash, Sonja Rohner and Phyllis Mewett circa mid-1990s

Willows Gemfields is a small town with a big reputation. Our town is known around the world for the quantity, quality and colour of its sapphires. Little is known about the earliest discovery of sapphires here but from about 1919 until 1924, Joshua Cousen was known to have worked the area now referred to as Cousens Hill.

Many fascinating stories surround the Willows Gemfields. For example, back in 1943 during WWII, a considerable shipment of high quality Willows Gemfields green sapphires was US-bound aboard the ship USS Niagara when it was torpedoed and sunk. Gold bullion was said to have been salvaged from the wreck after the war, but not the precious sapphires belonging to locals, Tom McCarthy and the McNamara brothers.

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As machinery mining was never allowed here, the area has become a popular fossicking spot for residents and visitors. Willows Gemfields is surrounded by fossicking areas such as The Duffer, Rubbish Tip, Augies Gully, Klondyke, Green Ant Hill and Thru-the-Fence.

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Hand mining and fossicking require identifying the wash (gem bearing gravel) which in this area is generally at depths of 500mm to two metres. The wash around here consists of pebbles, gravel and basalt boulders resting on a sand or mudstone base. Willows Gemfields remains a small, tight knit community with a population of 101 people recorded in 2021.

Stones of significant size, colour, quality and value are still found here today

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follow the trail

Fossicking at a tourist park

Rough sapphires

Underground mine tour

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!

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Location

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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: ///spaced.printed.particularly

Where to next?

Willows Town Map – ///baseballs.fishnets.clued

Sapphire Reflections – Anakie – ///inner.invoked.haste

Anderson’s Yellow – Willows – ///flippers.spear.obediently

Welcome to Willows