At last count only about 600 people lived permanently in the town of Sapphire, but that number swells according to the season, and the number of visitors who venture to the Gemfields with the hope of striking it rich.
Many travelers stay at the Blue Gem Tourist Park right on the banks of Retreat Creek. This is the place where the town’s bountiful sapphire supply was first discovered.
There are still plenty of precious and semi-precious stones to find in Sapphire and you learn about the region’s history with an underground mine tour in neighbouring Rubyvale, or head out to a designated fossicking area to have a go yourself.
If you need a little help getting started on the search, the Blue Gem Tourist Park will teach you how to sift through buckets of wash to find your own gem and set you up with a license. Many set up camp at the tourist park and end u staying for a lot longer than planned!
Owners Ewan and Claire have roomy van sites and a beautifully restored 1920s railway carriage that now serves as a comfortable accommodation option.
The Blue Gem Tourist Park is also the heart of the town; it’s where you’ll buy grocery, fuel, hot meals, and cool drinks.
Contacts:
Caravanning Queensland
(07) 3862 1833
Blue Gem Tourist Park
4985 4162
