Rubyvale Fossicking Area: Fossicking in Queensland

About Rubyvale Fossicking Area

Rubyvale sits at the heart of the Central Queensland gemfields, where sapphires were first found in 1870. The town is ringed by designated fossicking land, part of a network that also takes in Sapphire, Scrub Lead, Divide and Reward. Sapphires occur in a red clayey gravel wash that runs 2 to 8 m deep near town and exceeds 20 m at Bedford and Normans Hills, ground worked extensively by shafts. The field has produced large quantities of fine blue stones, with greens and yellows also common, plus zircon. A Queensland fossicking licence is required, and mining leases and claims are off limits without the holder's permission.

Queensland designated fossicking areas →

Quick details

Access

Check locally

State / territory

Queensland

Nearest road

Petra Avenue

Postcode

4702

Coordinates

-23.41042, 147.67768

Land & fossicking status

Confirm rules before fossicking

Land status here is not confirmed. Fossicking rules are set by state or territory, and national parks are usually off-limits. Verify licences, land access, and local rules before you collect.

Buy the correct fossicking licence, stay inside designated or permitted areas, follow hand-tool limits, and check any site-specific conditions.

Australia fossicking licences & permits guide →

Found at Rubyvale Fossicking Area

• SapphireEncyclopedia →
• ZirconEncyclopedia →