Mt Hay Queensland

What are Thundereggs?
http://www.digthetropic.com.au/places/mthay.aspx

Hot Beginnings… Mt Hay’s thundereggs formed in silica-rich volcanic rocks resulting from ancient lava flow called Rhyolite 120 million years ago.
Trapped in Time… The flowing Rhyolite trapped small particles and tiny gas bubbles, leading to the development of ‘volcanic birthstones’.
Formation… Thundereggs occurred when two forms of crystallization took place creating spherulites and spheruloids. Spherulites are a radical growth created when minerals crystallize around a nucleus. Spheruloids are a hollow form created when minerals crystallize around a steam bubble.
Stars in the Stone… As the lava cooled the star shaped cavity often seen in thundereggs (spheruloids) developed.
Lasting Layers… The cooling caused minute cracks to occur, allowing silica-rich solutions to seep into the cavities. This filled them with minerals such as quartz, agate, chalcedony, quartz crystals, amethyst, jasper and opalite.

There is a Caravan Park at Mt Hay.
You drive up a steep rocky road to the very top and there is a shop, a gemstone Workshop and also a Pewter Workshop, as well as a fossicking area. Tourists are given a hand pick, a bucket of water and a brush for washing the stones, and a plastic bag for collecting them for the price of $20.
Here the thunder eggs and cut in two, polished and prepared for retail.
Fossicking as well as a mine tour costs $30 and 2 stones are also cut in this price.

 It is a very  beautiful and tranquil location set in the mountain and there are powered sites and cabins for accommodation. I intend to return and stay a few days.
The stones you see in the first photo are what I collected and had cut.

Contact Mt Hay Gem Tourist Park for more information about tours and fossicking (Phone: 07 4934 7183).

Dingo Queensland Australia

http://www.about-australia.com/queensland/capricorn/destinations/dingo/

Dingo is a small town located just across the railway line from the Capricorn Highway. The origin of the town's name is shrouded in mystery - some say a railway surveyor saw a dingo on the creek bank and gave the town its name whilst others say that Moses Wafer, an early pioneer, heard dingo's howling at night and named the town after his camp site.

A bronze statue of a Dingo is in the town commemorating the town's name. This busy town sits on two major highways that service the beef, mining and coal industries. Up to 1,000 vehicles pass through in one day, and it's not unusual to see 10 triple road trains outside the roadhouse.

There is accommodation at the cattle station, where you can horse ride and muster. Dingo also holds the annual World Championship Dingo Trap Throwing and Picnic Races in July. For more information, just ask at the 24 hour service station on the Highway.

The last colony of the endangered Bridled Nailtail Wallaby was found north of Dingo.

Mt Morgan Queensland Australia

http://tmctours.com.au/

Once one of the world’s richest gold mines for its first ten years of operation.

Once boasted one of the busiest bustling towns in Queensland at its peak in the early 1900's.

Home to the best examples of early Jurassic dinosaur track way prints in Australia.

Yesterday’s mining traditions. Today’s environmental challenges.

One town- so much to discover! Experience Mount Morgan with  TMC Guided ToursTours to 

d

ay.

 

Undarra Resort Queensland Australia

http://undara.com.au/

Set in the Gulf Savannah country, Undara is as ancient and alluring as the continent itself, the Undara Lava Tubes stand as silent sentinels to our pre-history. Here you can walk in the path of a volcano and sleep cocooned in an antique railway carriage as your dreams connect you with the essence of this timeless land.

It’s a place where you can explore natural geological wonders, enjoy the comforts and hospitality of a unique outback setting and where the local wildlife are as abundant as they are at home in their surroundings. In short, Undara needs to be experienced!

A short flight, historic train ride or scenic half-day coach transfer or drive from Cairns, Undara is the experience that defines Australia’s Outback.
You’ve heard it said “You have to get lost to find yourself” – this is where you’ll find the sense of place you’re seeking…

Undara Experience is Located on the eastern edge of the ruggedly beautiful Gulf Savannah region of northern Australia, the multi-award winning Undara Experience captures the essence of the real Australian Outback.

Undara Experience is located in pristine tropical savannah woodlands, within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef areas of Cairns and Townsville in Tropical North Queensland.

From Undara Experience, you can visit the Undara Lava Tubes, part of the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on Earth. In the Microbat breeding season you can witness the unique spectacle of the Microbats and the Night Tigers.

Your stay at Undara Experience includes evening wildlife spotlighting walks, campfire evenings, delicious dining featuring the region’s best produce, or a quiet drink in the bar as the outback sunset fades into the clearest starlit night.

 Highly qualified Savannah Guides take you on tours that give a unique insight into the geology and ecology of the Undara Volcanic National Park, the local history and bushcraft of the Gulf Savannah region.
Tours cost $45 from the Resort.

Balgal Beach Queensland Australia

Balgal Beach is a beachside community popular as a day and overnight trip destination for locals and tourists to Thuringowa and Townsville. Just a few minutes from Rollingstone, Balgal Beach features a stinger net, which is installed and patrolled from November to May, and an excellent boat ramp facility with easy access to the Palm Island group. It boasts a superb sand beach as well as a wide creek mouth and is a renowned beach and river fishing location.

Other activities include visiting the Anzac memorial, viewing the interpretive historic signage, having a picnic and barbecue at the park, bird watching and fishing.

There is also a licensed cafe and a variety of accommodation which includes Holiday Units, Bed and Breakfast Retreat, and Council's two designated limited tent camping and vehicle camping areas. Download the flyer from their websites for more information on free camping.