Fossicking tips for Cairns/Trinity Beach area.

[MissyP]

Hi Folks, I'm heading to Trinity Beach just north of Cairns in a few weeks. Just wondering if anyone knows some fossicking locations nearby that are worth a try. Ideally not more than half hour drive. Also if you know of any worthwhile sightseeing that isn't suggested on visitor info sites. Thanks in advance

[Bucket]

There's an interesting gem/jewelry shop in Atherton, the name escapes me. In Mareeba there's a place called Coffee Works. Coffee Works we both found interesting, it combines coffee sampling with chocolate and tea. Worth a look. While you're there, there's a mango wine place just out of town. They have sampling and not only do they have good quality wine, but liqueurs as well. Also love Birdworld in Kuranda, fantastic rang of parrots in a walk through aviary that you can feed.

[Jimnyjerry]

Crystal Cave is the rock shop at Atherton. There is another interesting one at Yungaburra not too far away with nice jewelery. 

There is Rhodonite in the hills behind Cairns as well as quartz crystals but you will have to ask one of the 2 Cairns clubs for more information.

Have a great holiday.

[MrSydney]

Far out JimNJerry you held out on me when I was up at Cairns in July asking about fossicking!!

Coffeeworks is great!  There is a gorge just West of there that is really cool with rock wallabies, granite etc and, by pure chance, I stumbled on a great quartz crystal about 7-8cm long!

Atherton is well worth a visit and especially the Crystal Cave - great collection and hands on!

There was tin mined near there but speaking with the guys running the historical museum there doesn't seem to be sapphire, bigger tin crystals etc like you normally associate with Tin (sure it probably is there as micro crystals - just nothing bigger formed).  Otherwise you have to head about 2 - 3 hours from Cairns there is some awesome fossicking / lava tubes etc that I'm sure the guys here can tell you more about (that's the trip for next time up that way).

Birdworld sounds good - we missed seeing that - but the Butterfly farm is also really cool!  Only way you'll get a good look at the Cairns Birdwing which is one of the biggest butterflies in the world - and lots of other great butterflies as well.

[Jimnyjerry]

Far out JimNJerry you held out on me when I was up at Cairns in July asking about fossicking!!

Sorry but got that information on my last trip north. Too late to help you. 

[MrSydney]

Ah! 

[MissyP]

Thanks everyone, very helpful. If there are any creeks nearby I will check them out. Went to Alligator Creek when I was in Townsville in May and picked up two rocks (Mum was waiting in the car so I had like 5 mins lol) and one turned out to be a poppy jasper, the other petrified palm. Yes, Mother is coming with me again so any fossicking time will be very limited as she is at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to rock kicking. If I find anything of interest I will let you know.

[pc bowe]

Cairns was originally a gold field so maybe take a pan ( although during the wet is better).
If your in the hills watch out for the Lycra Brigade.

I recently visited an aunt in Townsville, she showed me some of the local crystals she collected during the 1970's. Very impressive.   

[MissyP]

haha, yes ran into the lycra legion in Townsville earlier this year, but thanks for the heads up