The Willows Gemfields Fossicking Park

Open bushland and semi-cleared flats around the tiny township of Willows Gemfields, west of Emerald, make up one of the Central Queensland gemfields' best-known sapphire grounds. The wash here runs to greens, yellows and star stones — the district gave up the 332-carat 'Golden Willow' — across designated public fossicking land open to licence-holders. Mining claims and leases are fenced off, but the general-permission areas are free to dig. A small township with caravan parks, a shop and fuel serves the diggings.