Fossicking with kids in Northern Rivers NSW

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LyndellMaree

LyndellMaree

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Hi :)

My daughter and her young cousin (under 7) have shown an interest in rocks and I wanted to encourage that by taking them out for a fossick. Agates will keep them occupied for now - I remember lots of school holidays sitting on a creek side looking for them my selves, but now have no idea where to take them locally.

Could anyone point me to somewhere local (Lismore surrounds) for a day trip to take them?

Much appreciated :)
 
Hi Lyndell and welcome to the forum. I've just had a look at my gemstone map and the is mention of carnelian right near St Carthages cathedral right in Lismore, but it looks like it's private property right on the cathedral grounds. The river is nearby so that could be worth a look if you can find any gravel areas but in alluvial flood planes such as these there is usually a lot of deep silty overburden.

Couldn't really notice anything else in the Lismore area.

I know there are good spots around the Northern Rivers. There is a facebook page dedicated to this area called SE QLD & NE NSW Fossicking, there are quite a few people in that area on that page and they seem to find some interesting stuff. Maybe join up there and ask for some pointers.

Here's another page I found after a quick google search too that may help, mentions Tyalgum and a few other places sort of near to you.

http://www.lapidaryworld.com/maps_NSW.html

Here's another mention of a close by spot too on this forum.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=283049

Hopefully some others will offer up some info, plenty of info regarding sapphires and other minerals on the forum but they are mostly inland a bit more around Glen Innes/Inverell areas.

Cheers
 
You could go to Hogarth Range just outside of Casino for Labradorite.... Easy digging for kids but on private property.... you pay a small fee of a couple of dollars and away you go.... If you require directions let me know and I will post details up here..... Lismore club is a very 'clicky 'club....won't get much out of them..... :rolleyes:

LoneWolf....
 
I can't help with areas to go, but LoneWolf's comments about Lismore club are very sad. Don't care what your hobby/pastime is, other folks doing the same thing should welcome everyone with the same likes. Nobody is any better than anyone else. Just sad is all. We all should be helping each other. At least I can that on this forum, if you ask for some help, there are plenty of members only too willing to help out.

Okay, go back to my beer now. Cheers
Bill
 
Yes I know, I think they might be grumpy not having any Fossicking areas, :p
But they do run one of The Best shows in North NSW..... Lismore Gemfest Sat May 20 & Sun 21st May 2017....

Thought I might give them a plug after saying that :lol: Kinda like repent my sin's..... :lol: :lol:

LoneWolf....
 
Thank you everyone - thanks for the links, will have a look and see what I can find.

We went to the Gemfest last year and it was awesome. It reignited my interest in all things 'rocks' :) My daughter loved it too and and we are going to go sapphire fossicking in Inverell this year after the Gemfest.

Many of the places we went to as kids around here are private property and we no longer know the owners and in many cases land is not taken care of the way it once was so there is lots of weeds on banks, erosion and sedimentation - bit tricky for small kids to tag along to.

Thanks again for all your help - will show you our finds - if we get any ;)
 
If you go to Inverell make sure you call in to the Inverell Rock Shop.. 26 Ring st Inverell.. Well worth a visit and im sure Dave will point you to a few of his 'secret spots'..... Then you could head over to Emmaville to see the fantastic Mining Museum... One of the Best displays of Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones I have ever seen in Australia.... ..... Make sure you call in to Lismore Gemfest and say G-day, I will be there with Dave and his stall.. Directly opposite the ''Hill'' where they sieve..... He is the one with a croaky Voice...... ;) Have Fun....

LoneWolf....
 
No worries LyndellMaree. :) ...... OK, Head west on Bruxner highway for about 20km from Casino... Turn left into Bulmer road.. after about 7-8 kms turn right ...800m on the left is Steve's farm...put money $3 pp I think in letterbox if no one around...Then continue on for another 1.4 km there is a gate on the right... go through gate, leave gate as you find it... Drive over to the tall trees 3 of them from memory about 400 m from gate... park here... you will see a wire fence about 50m away to the west... Labradorite, about the size of a 10 cent piece and a honey/clear colour, is just over the fence..... it is located in the first 100mm of top soil...easy digging.... you will see diggings everywhere... I use a small garden fork/rake but if you prefer use a sieve and shovel.... Have Fun... Happy digging ... I can give you GPS cords at all turn points if you need them...but it's pretty easy to find.... Let us know how you went....and pics please :D

LoneWolf...
 
Hi LoneWolf

My hubby and I are members of the Canberra Lapidary Club. We're heading up through Inverell, Casino and onto the Gold Coast (taking our little one to the theme parks), but thought we'd do some fossicking on the way.

Is it okay if we stop at the location you've mentioned above on our way through Casino?

Cheers
Julie and Brad :)
 
koraju said:
Hi LoneWolf

My hubby and I are members of the Canberra Lapidary Club. We're heading up through Inverell, Casino and onto the Gold Coast (taking our little one to the theme parks), but thought we'd do some fossicking on the way.

Is it okay if we stop at the location you've mentioned above on our way through Casino?

Cheers
Julie and Brad :)
Click to expand...

Hey there, welcome to the forum. I'm pretty sure Lonewolf would have put the info up for the benefit of all members. I'm sure he would probably be happy to have helped other members as well as the person he wrote his post for.
 
Spot on Heatho for the benefit of All ;) ....Welcome Julie and Brad... Yes the Farmer Welcomes Fossickers as long as people continue to Do The Right Thing.... Im trying to find his number :rolleyes: and I will call him to see if its ok to post on here...It has been quite awhile since I have been up there but well worth the Trip... If you are passing through Inverell.... Well that's listed in a few posts back.... ;)

As for Theme parks... Dreamworld has closed most of their rides(but advertising ALL are open)and are still charging Full price :mad: .... not many go there now after what happened :( ...The End is near for them im afraid..... Movieworld still going strong, even with all the Break-downs they have had lately..... :cool:

LoneWolf....
 
Hi Lonewolf

Thanks for putting up direcrions for Hogarth Range to find Labradorite, I went there yesterday and met Steve, really nice guy.

I found some small pieces of Labradorite and was wondering if you or anyone on this forum can suggest the best way to clean them? I've scrubbed them with a toothbrush in the sink but they still look like they have dirt on them.

Thanks!
 
You could soak them in water for a few days and scrub them again but I would be careful using any Chemicals on them.... How much did Steve charge you for a dig? .... Glad you had fun.... Now hurry up and make 10 posts, then you can put up some pics of your finds... :lol:

LW...
 
1530444474_20180630_215024.jpg
 
Above are pictures of the Labradorite I found at Hogarth Range a few days ago. I accidently posted the second photo twice. I really like the piece with the rainbow shimmer in the first photo.

Lone Wolf, me and a friend paid Steve $5 for both us to go and have a dig, well I say dig but most of the material was almost on the surface and the more we dug the less we found.
 
Yes it is only in the first 100mm or so of Topsoil...... You have a very special Piece there with the 'Rainbow' :eek: .... Never seen one from that location before... Very Rare indeed. :Y:
There are other locations in the same area/district but a bit harder to find..... Last time I was there Steve was thinking of selling up as Cattle farming was getting harder, but glad he hasn't as yet... Have a google for Lattice Sunstone from Harts Range in the NT... Same Mineral group to what you have with the Rainbow affect ...

LW....
 

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