Sapphire Gemfields
Discover the Sapphire Gemfields, the largest sapphire-bearing area in the southern hemisphere. Starting 30 minutes from Emerald, the Sapphire Gemfields incorporate four towns, and many more fossicking areas across 900 square kilometres. The townships of Anakie, Sapphire, Rubyvale and The Willows are filled with rich history and richer gems just waiting to be unearthed.
Anakie
Discover the oldest town on the Sapphire Gemfields, Anakie, which is filled with both history and gems. History buffs will enjoy the quaint railway station built in 1884 as part of the rail push into western Queensland.
Rubyvale
Rubyvale has a lot to offer travellers, with attractions including gem cutters, jewellers, fossicking parks and an underground mine tour. This quirky mining town has the conveniences of a pub, café, and general store, while offering travellers the opportunity to try their luck at striking rich.
Sapphire
Sapphire lives up to its name, with a host of sapphire gem cutters, jewellers and fossicking parks located here. If you love a photo opportunity, then the Big Ring, Big Spanner and Big Pick, Shovel and Sieve can all be found in and around Sapphire.
The Willows
The Willows is a popular fossicking location due to very little machinery mining ever used in the area, and the higher occurrence of yellow and green sapphires. The town has the conveniences of a fossicking park, caravan park, general store and service station.