Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park

OUR HISTORY

In 1963 when Bert & Gwen Kayes first started commercial mining of the Marlborough Chrysoprase and Mt Hay Thunderegg and Rhyolite deposits, they did not imagine they were initiating a future family business – Aradon, established in 1986.

Today, Aradon owns mines in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. They operate from 2 locations, Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park in Queensland and a factory & showroom in Malaga Western Australia, opened in 1994. Specialising in the mining of Green Rhyolite (Rainforest Jasper), Thundereggs, Variscite, Black Tourmaline, Marra Mamba Tiger Eye & Jasper, Printstone, Crazy Lace Agate and others, Aradon exports its rough stones and polished pieces worldwide.

MOUNT HAY GEMSTONE TOURIST PARK

Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park is located approximately 30 mins west of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Highway at Wycarbah, Queensland.

The park consists of a fossicking area, gift shop, pewter casting workshops, small camping ground including powered caravan sites, basic amenities including toilets & hot showers, washing machine and BBQ and picnic areas.

Established in 1974 to allow visitors to dig their own Thundereggs and spherulitic Rhyolite, the Mount Hay Gemstone Tourist Park remains a popular destination for fossickers seeking these curious volcanic formations.

Mount Hay is the remains of an extinct ancient volcano, which was last active about 120 million years ago. When it was a rumbling volcano millions of gas bubbles were present in the molten rhyolite lava - it is these gas 'pockets' that became Thundereggs. Thundereggs or volcanic birthstones are the result of these “pockets” filling with siliceous liquids containing impurities and trace elements, which crystallize as they cool, and when cut in half, reveal many different colours and patterns.

ARADON FINE PEWTER

Aradon Pty. Ltd. has been producing fine quality Pewter products since 1987. These products are made onsite here at Mt. Hay Gemstone Tourist Park. The raw material is melted and poured into rubber moulds, which are also made onsite. The models which are used to make the moulds are produced locally.

These hand crafted products include Australian fauna and heritage figurines, buckles, coasters, business card holders, teaspoons, keyrings, letter openers, letter knives, napkin holders, animals of the world, dinosaurs, novelty lines, magnets and bookmarks. Modern pewter is a lead free alloy of tin, antimony and copper. Guided onsite tours are available.

FOSSICKING AT MOUNT HAY

Visitors can fossick through piles of Thunderegg-bearing material which is excavated from the nearby mine site, and transported to a safe area suitable for all ages. Visitors are given a bag for their stones, a tool to fossick, and shown what to look for. Any stones collected can be kept, and upon completion of their search, each person can have a couple of stones cut for free. Extra cutting is available at extra cost.

Fees apply for fossicking, and ENCLOSED FOOTWEAR IS REQUIRED. No fixed starting times but PLEASE ARRIVE BY 3:30pm to allow enough time for fossicking. Pets allowed if kept under control.

PRICES:

Bag & tools provided. Our staff show you where and what to look for and explain the geological formations in the area. Have 1 or 2 thundereggs cut free (depending on size).

Adult $25, Child (5-17) $15, Under 5s $5
Family Rate (2+2 or more) - 10% off total price.

CARAVAN PARK

The Park is 30 minutes west of Rockhampton on the Capricorn Highway at Wycarbah, and is open 7 days a week. There is a small camping ground and a caravan area with powered sites, shelter sheds and barbecue area. Amenities are basic but provide what you need for an enjoyable stay. Pets are allowed if kept under control.

CAMPING FEES:

Powered Site: 2 adults/1night $25 - $5 each additional person
Unpowered Site: 2 adults/1night $20 - $5 each additional person

GIFT SHOP

Also on site is a gift shop with an extensive range of gemstone and pewter products, including souvenirs, gifts, gemstone jewellery, carvings etc. and “Aradon Fine Pewter” products, which are manufactured on site.

The kiosk sells cold drinks and ice creams. Food is not available to purchase so bring your own lunch with you if planning on spending the day.
Open 7 days a week, 8.30am to 4.30pm.