It’s a small wonder that more and more people are flocking to Glen Innes Highlands to fossick.
We're part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales, which has the world’s richest mineral diversity belt.
It’s internationally famous for deep rich, royal blue sapphires.
Fossicking is easy, cheap, no licence is needed in NSW (unless you intend to fossick in a state forest, in which case you will require a permit), and it’s a fun activity for the whole family – with the prospect of glittering rewards.
Never been fossicking before? There is a bit of a technique to it all, so it’s best to drop into the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre or one of the below facilities that provide beginner-level information and experiences.
Top 8 Locations to Fossick in Glen Innes Highlands:
1. Torrington State Recreation Area (permit required)
3. Timbarra River Bridge
4. Yarrow Creek Bridge
5. Mann River Bridge
6. Sara River Bridge – Kookabookra
7. Wellingrove Bridge
8. Bullock Mountain Homestead (Only available for those staying at the venue)
9. Three Waters High Country Holidays (Only available for those staying at the venue)
There are quite a few places where experienced fossickers can try their luck and they do!
Before you venture out, drop into the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre for some advice and information from a friendly local. Some fossicking sites need a day’s advance notice and to be contacted – see brochure for further information.
If you're fossicking in the area of Emmaville or Torrington, it's a good idea to stop into the Emmaville Mining Museum to seek local knowledge on fossicking in the area.
The museum houses incredible gem and mineral collections that are well worth viewing.
Out the back is Foley’s General Store Museum, a replica blacksmith’s shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment.
There’s also the interior of a hessian-lined miner’s hut, a collection of over 400 photographs of the old mines, miners, and the Emmaville community, a beautiful collection of 1,500 bottles and a display of military memorabilia and tributes.
Located at the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre, you'll find Reddestone Sapphires, offering an exclusive range of cut and polished, high-quality natural sapphires. Highly regarded in the Gemstone industry around the world, they stock a beautiful range of 18-carat, 9-carat and sterling silver jewellery. If you'd like to create your own masterpiece, they have a variety of loose sapphires and allow you to select your design so they can fit it to your unique style.
Glen Innes is also home to Aussie Sapphire Lapidary Warehouse, an online lapidary business with a large range of supplies, whether you work with rock, glass or metal, they've got the products and advice you need.
Minerama Fossicking, Gem & Jewellery Show in Glen Innes is NSW’s largest annual gem and jewellery show, attracting visitors and dealers from all over Australia.
Minerama is perfect for all gem and jewellery lovers, rockhounds and outdoor adventurers. A program of guided fossicking field trips to suit both beginner and experienced gem hunters provides an opportunity to search for buried treasure in Glen Innes Highlands.
With a diverse range of indoor and outdoor stalls trading in gemstones, fine jewellery, facet rough, lapidary tools & supplies, crystals, beads, fossils, mineral specimens, arts, crafts and more. Whether you are after a two-dollar bargain, a gemstone of world-class quality, or a unique piece of jewellery, you’ll find it at Minerama!
Acknowledgement of Country
Glen Innes Highlands acknowledges and pays respect to the Ngarabul people as the traditional custodians of this land, their elders past, present and emerging, and to Torres Strait Islander people and all First Nations people.
2024 © All Rights Reserved. Website designed by gocrossmedia and built by Cloud Concepts