Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park

Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park, 36 kilometres west of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Highway, is an internationally known destination for thunderegg fossicking. Thundereggs or 'volcanic birthstones' are crystalline formations that occur when gas bubbles in molten lava solidify on cooling. Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park is also a well-known destination for purchasing semi-precious Australian gemstone products cut and polished in the Mount Hay factory. Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park is also the home of 'Aradon Fine Pewter', where a large range of Australiana gift lines and souvenirs are produced and marketed nationally. Visitors to the park can browse the gift shop and rock garden or go fossicking (tools and assistance provided). Admission to the park is free (includes a picnic area and barbecues), and there are camping and caravan sites as well as a kiosk. Fees apply to fossicking and camping, and enclosed footwear is required.