Torrington region - Gemfields

Good morning Benn,
Haven't been to Torrington for about six years. The caravan park was not too grand and more or less like caravan parks used to be. Was there in middle of a cold winter and hired a sad but adequate on site carvavan with a little bar heater for about $20 overnight. This at a time when caravan parks were generally charging $40 / $50 for an on site van. Camping sites were also low cost. So, unless there is someone got in and tarted the place and prices up, for the costs and convenience it wasn't half bad.
Harry

G'day Benn,

There is around 1300 known mining leases in the area. Contact NSW Dept of Natural Resources (or whatever they call themselves now). There was a map and book published by them some years ago, giving the names of the mines, what was mined, what type of mine(open cut, underground etc), dates of operation and the GPS position. Be very careful when tracking down an old mine, as some of them are just open holes, and they can be very deep. 600Ft +

Torrington is a quaint little town, but there are no services available. The pub closed down a couple of years ago, I am not sure if it has reopened as yet.

Fossicking is available throughout the whole area, bring your own gear.

Topaz is found at Blatherarm creek, which is out on the Silent Grove Rd north of Torrington. Bush camping is available there as well.
Other areas have Aquamarine, Emerald, Quartz, Tourmaline and even Quartz with Tourmaline inclusions.

There is good 4wding to be had in the area as well, but make sure you take a GPS so you can find your way back.

If you call into the Emmaville Mining Museum in Emmaville, you will find a lot of history of the area, with some really good gem and mineral specimens.

I think that you and your tribe will enjoy it very much, there is no mobile service in Torrington, and you are 4000Ft above sea level, so take a jumper.

We will be in the area in Jan as well, going down for a bit of fossicking so we may see you there.

Regards
Stu

Benn. Torington is real "pokeabout" country. ie. you poke about here, poke about there and all in can have a really enjoyable experience. (I live in GI )
Manual, owner of the van park is quite a character, and very responsive to a bit of pee in the pocket, if you get my drift. But there is miles of good bush camping available.
Blatherarm is pretty well specked over but does give you a nice camp location with running creek water. Dingo will provide plenty of good quartz and topaz, but can get very boggy when wet. Take a look around the old Pacific Copper plant (whats left) it was an Alan Bond project. A trip out to cow flat can offer up smokey q. and possibly aquamarine chrystals.
It is remotely possible (I did say remotely) that the pub could be re opened when you get there later this year. If that happens, I will certainly be in the area!
Not too keen on drinking the creek water, it can have a fairly high level of arsenic, which is not fixed by boiling.
Whatever, am sure you will enjoy the visit. kesh

Hi Guys,

Really appreciate the information.

My girlfriend is studying gemmology and this will be our first true fossicking experience.

We're planning to be there between Christmas and New Year - so if you're in the area - I drive a white Holden Frontera with orange wheels ... it's hard to miss :-)

Cheers,

Benn