Fossicking

All that Glitters is Family FUN!!!

Small wonder that more and more people are flocking to Celtic Country to fossick, for it’s part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and has the world’s richest mineral diversity belt. It’s internationally famous for the deep rich, royal blue sapphires.

And there are other reasons: fossicking is easy, cheap, no licence is needed in NSW and it’s a fun activity for the whole family – with the prospect of glittering rewards.

 Summary of fossicking sites:   

Boolabinda: Proceed 4km on Emmaville-Airport Road, right to Bullock Mountain Road 11km; sapphires, zircons in Reddestone Creek, picnic facilities, accommodation, camping, fossicking $8, equipment hire $3, (02) 6732 2215, web: www.boolabinda.com.au, (closed June -August). 

Bullock Mountain Homestead: Directions as for Boolabinda, further 1km on Bullock Mountain Road; sapphires in Reddestone Creek, picnic facilities, fishing, accommodation, camping, horse riding (02) 6732 1599,                                    web: www.bullockmountainhomestead.com

Glencoe: About 200m past Red Lion Tavern, 100km/h sign and before bridge, left down yellow ramp, follow road to fenced creek, through gate to fossicking reserve; fossick for sapphires, zircons, no charge.

Dwyers: Drive 6km on Red Range Road to Pinkett turnoff, 20km to Costello’s Road, right after 7 km to gate just after causeway marked Dwyers; committed fossickers, no facilities, sapphires, zircons, garnets in Yarrow Creek, $5 a person a day, honesty box.

Kookabookra: Directions as for Dwyers, 49km on Pinkett Road, right at tennis courts before Sara River Bridge, vehicle track 100m to fenced fossicking area through gate; committed fossickers, no facilities, topaz, quartz crystals, gold, sapphires.

7 Oaks: Gwydir Highway for 56km, right at Long Plain Lane for 5km, right Swanbrook Road; fossick adjacent to mining operation, or in creeks/gullies for sapphires, zircons, entry by prior arrangement only, (02) 6725 1582, web: www.sapphiresinverell.com.au

Wellingrove Reserve: Emmaville-Airport Road, left to Wellingrove-Bonshaw Road, 19km to Wellingrove village; rules outlined at entrance, sapphires and zircons, water in dams; $5 a person, a day, children free, permits from Visitor Information Centre, no vehicle access.

Torrington State Conservation Area: From Deepwater, 26km on Stannum- Torrington Roads; fossick in designated areas, includes beryl, fluorite, aquamarine, emeralds.