Field Trips

Field trips to fossick for natural material are arranged regularly. They are arranged to fit in with the weather, the seasons and availability. Too much rain and a property may be too dangerous to enter. Too much grass coverage during a long hot summer is a time to watch out for snakes. All these considerations are taken into account when organising field trips for our club members.

It is possible for you to find your own gemstone, cut it, create a silver setting and wear your own unique piece of jewellery.

We certainly like family members who are not financial members of the Toowoomba Lapidary Club to join in on our field trips. In these situations, we ask that all non-members complete an Indemnity Form for Field Trips, as the club’s Personal Accident Insurance does not cover non-member participants.

Both cabochon and faceting material can be found, for example; agate, chalcedony, garnet, jasper, petrified wood, rhodonite, sapphire, and topaz.

Our club field trips are either to designated Government fossicking sites or by special permission to enter private property.  The club purchases a Queensland Fossicking Licence which covers all attendees.  We also request that all members abide by the club’s Code of Conduct on Field Trips.

Checklist of recommended items to bring on a field trip:

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Appropriate clothing for the weather and location
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Boots (appropriate footwear)
  • Fossicking tools ie pick hammer and bucket

QLD Government website with fossicking locations: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/fossicking/