Chudleigh PARK
"A treasure trove on our doorstep"
WELCOME TO CHUDLEIGH GEMFIELDS
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Chudleigh Park Station is very pleased to welcome you to Chudleigh Gemfields!
Chudleigh Gemfields is renowned for its peridot fossicking. The peridot gemstone is one of only two gems observed to be formed not in the Earth's crust but even deeper, in the molten rock of the upper mantle. Gem-quality peridot is rare to find on Earth's surface due to it's susceptibility to weathering during it's transportation from deep within the mantle up to the surface. We are incredibly lucky here at Chudleigh to have access to this beautiful gem!
We are located approximately 160km North of Hughenden and 100km south of The Lynd Roadhouse (The Oasis). As we are remote, you are required to be fully self sufficient when you stay here. This includes bringing adequate drinking water, food and your own first aid kit.
Any queries that can't be answered here, please contact us as we are more than happy to help and answer any questions you may have.
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We look forward to seeing you soon!
FACILITIES & SERVICES
Book a campsite online below or phone ahead and let us know days/dates that you are coming.
Homestead: (07) 4741 7172
Please leave a voicemail with a CLEAR return phone number or email the following link at the bottom of the page.
Access to Gemfields:
$10 per person, per day/night
Children 12 years and under FREE
Anyone planning to fossick must also provide a current fossicking license.
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ALL VISITORS TO CHUDLEIGH PARK STATION MUST AGREE TO AND ADHERE BY THE FOLLOWING:
DO arrive before 5:00pm.
DO self-supply the following items:
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- First aid kit;
- Drinking water – no drinking water is available at Chudleigh Park Station; and
- Porta Potti or similar. Please remember that this is our backyard and others use this area, so be considerate.
DO be aware of at least the following environmental hazards: rocks, sticks, storms, bush fires, washouts, disused mine shafts.
DO report all serious injuries to management.
DO respect other camps and campers.
DO follow the road rules, including: travelling no faster than 40kph;
- driving only on designated roads due to biosecurity risks;
- being considerate of other camps, houses, vehicles, horses, and people; and
- driving slowly and carefully through and around cattle, including stopping to allow them to pass if needed.
DO fill in all holes.
DO take your rubbish with you and leave the campsite in a tidy and respectable manner for the next person.
DO leave gates and fences as you find them. If they are open, leave them open. If they are closed, leave them closed.
DO report any damage to fences or gates immediately.
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DO regularly supervise and take responsibility for your dog. Chudleigh Park regularly baits for feral animals, and these baits pose a threat to your pets. If your dog sustains any injury or illness while on Chudleigh Park, howsoever arising, Chudleigh Park will not be responsible. Should any dogs be found to chase or harm wildlife or cattle, you will be asked to leave.
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DO NOT drive after dark as this is dangerous to yourself and cattle. If you break this rule and injure cattle you will be liable.
DO NOT chase cattle. They are quiet. Move quietly about the animals and continue on your way.
DO NOT approach feral animals.
DO NOT use weapons of any kind.
DO NOT light fires except for cooking purposes only. Properly contain and extinguish any fire.
DO NOT use motorbikes, all-terrain vehicles, or similar. If you break this rule and injure yourself Chudleigh Park will not be responsible.
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ANYONE FOUND TO BREAK ANY OF THE RULES OR FOUND OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED AREA WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RETURN
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GALLERY
Where We Are
Please note: The water level of the creek varies throughout the year and in dry season can dry up completely.
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Access: The road conditions on the unsealed parts (about 30km) varies within the seasons and also depends on when the grading of the Kennedy Development Road is being done. Even though it is possible at times to bring a smaller car out here we do recommend a 4WD.
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Camping: Our camp grounds are located on the eastern side of the creek. Controlled camp fires only. Please take all rubbish with you, leave only footprints!
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Where To Fossick: Across the creek from the camp site area, the peridot diggings are located on the eastern side of the hill slopes. Using hand tools, dry sieving and digging to a depth of about 40cm is the usual method for discovering these treasures.
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The Peridot Stone: The peridot gemstone, sometimes called chrysolite, varies in colour from yellow to olive to brownish-green. In rare cases, peridot may have a medium-dark toned, pure green with no secondary yellow hue or brown mask. It's depth of colour is dependent on the iron contents within the structure of the gem so lighter coloured gems are due to lower iron concentrations. The fragments are covered in a brown dust like coating, which is difficult to remove at the diggings, most people snip the end of a few sample pieces to identify the material, if colour is apparent the piece is kept. After a few pieces the shape is identified and all pieces of like angular shape are kept and tumbled in a tumbling outfit to clean them up at a later date. Continued snipping may crack the piece and render it useless for faceting.
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Let's get fossicking!!!
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