Mt Hay Gemstone Tourist Park
Mt Hay Gemstone Tourist Park
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Mt. 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 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. Come and fossick for your very own Thundereggs! Our friendly and informative guides will explain what you’re looking for, tools are provided and when you’re done we’ll cut open a few of your new found treasures. Digging is done at your own pace but allow approx 2 hours. Closed in footwear is essential. We have a Gift Shop on site which stocks a huge range of gemstone product & gifts. Cold drinks and ice creams can be purchased but bring your own food. Or enjoy a peaceful night away in one of our campsites!
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
22
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Glenn D
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Couples
WOW, what a fun morning with Don and Roi. Knowledge and expertise outstanding. My expectations were low as most other places rip you off. They charge $10 plus per egg.
At Mt Hay we collected half a bucket of rocks with Roi cutting several thunders eggs open to see the beauty inside. Even better we were able to take the rest of the bucket home.
At Mt Hay we collected half a bucket of rocks with Roi cutting several thunders eggs open to see the beauty inside. Even better we were able to take the rest of the bucket home.
Written 15 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kellie H
Brisbane217 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
We’ll sign posted on highway (large brown tourist sign) up a dirt driveway for about 300 m.
After parking your vehicle, walk to the shed where you are shown what type of rocks to look for, given your bucket of water, a brush & large metal instrument to fossick & you are directed to one of several piles of rocks out the back of the shed.
We spent nearly an hour (as soon as they opened - as no shade & it would get very hot later in the day) at our pile of rocks (take a hat, sunscreen, even a small chair instead of leaning/hunching over the rocks) & then several were cut for free. You can pay for extras if you want them cut.
Staff are very friendly!
After parking your vehicle, walk to the shed where you are shown what type of rocks to look for, given your bucket of water, a brush & large metal instrument to fossick & you are directed to one of several piles of rocks out the back of the shed.
We spent nearly an hour (as soon as they opened - as no shade & it would get very hot later in the day) at our pile of rocks (take a hat, sunscreen, even a small chair instead of leaning/hunching over the rocks) & then several were cut for free. You can pay for extras if you want them cut.
Staff are very friendly!
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glad you enjoyed your visit, and thank you for your review.
Written 8 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Charma13
Surfers Paradise, Australia24 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Absolutely the best time to be had and the staff are very friendly.
Don and Roi make you feel so welcome and they are helpful in showing you what to look in identifying thunder eggs.
There are clean toilets, camping grounds, cold drinks and a few snacks available.
Take a walk around the gem store and gem gardens or prepare to dig... Hours of fun.. Child friendly and pets on leads...
Buckets, picks, brushes and water provide to wash the thunder eggs.
Protective cover shoes and a hat is advisable. Take an esky and have a BBq.
It's my GOTO for hours of fun and surprises ..You just never know what you will dig up. Until the eggs are cut.. the oohs and wows echo through the shop with sheer delight of you blood sweat and tears digging for hours finally show the rewards of your efforts
Thank you Mt Hay fossicking park for.your hospitality. friendly service and smiles.!! Definitely we will be back.again very soon.
Don and Roi make you feel so welcome and they are helpful in showing you what to look in identifying thunder eggs.
There are clean toilets, camping grounds, cold drinks and a few snacks available.
Take a walk around the gem store and gem gardens or prepare to dig... Hours of fun.. Child friendly and pets on leads...
Buckets, picks, brushes and water provide to wash the thunder eggs.
Protective cover shoes and a hat is advisable. Take an esky and have a BBq.
It's my GOTO for hours of fun and surprises ..You just never know what you will dig up. Until the eggs are cut.. the oohs and wows echo through the shop with sheer delight of you blood sweat and tears digging for hours finally show the rewards of your efforts
Thank you Mt Hay fossicking park for.your hospitality. friendly service and smiles.!! Definitely we will be back.again very soon.
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your lovely review! Sorry we’re late to reply... we’re still entering the 21st century over here 😅
We’re so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your visit. It’s those type of reactions that fill us with joy and put big smiles on our faces. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon. Cheers! Don, Roi and Mossy.
Written 28 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KERRI S
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We booked for 1 night, but stayed for 5! Easy drive to Rockhampton so we chose to stay at Mt Hay where it was so peaceful. We even got used to the coal trains coming through but they didn’t keep us awake. Loved fossicking for thunder eggs and got a great collection. Magnificent sunsets, enjoyed the bush turkeys and the camp managers were fantastic. Highly recommended if you don’t want to be surrounded by lots of other campers.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna White
Palmview, Australia16 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
My family and I visited Mt Hay Gemstone Tourist Park and went fossicking! The lovely family that own and run the spot were lovely and had such a laugh with us. We were shown what to look for and then sent away to scour mounts of dirt and rock for thundereggs. Once our bags were full we headed back into the workshop where a handful of our eggs were cut in half to see what they held inside. It was very interesting and satisfying to see our dusty rocks cut open to reveal the beauty inside. Great outdoor adventure for the family :)
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Blonde Nomads
Australia210 contributions
June 2019
We had a fabulous time here fossicking for Thunder. Eggs and then watching them be cut open. The Rock garden and crystal display is great too. It's a wonderful experience for kids/families to enjoy.
Written 2 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting - glad you enjoyed your experience - hope you return one day.
Written 4 June 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cathjl
Sydney, Australia18 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
A very interesting place with great owners who can tell you all sorts of things about thunder eggs
And how exciting is it to see them cut open in front of you with every mineral and crystal pointed out and explained
Best bit is when someone asks do you havr rocks in your bag when your suitcase is heavy on the way home you can say yes
And how exciting is it to see them cut open in front of you with every mineral and crystal pointed out and explained
Best bit is when someone asks do you havr rocks in your bag when your suitcase is heavy on the way home you can say yes
Written 30 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4kidsNorthernNsw
Lennox Head, Australia17 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Here is something you don’t get to do everyday, find something 120 million years old. Well after a little sweat, dirt and a nine year old knocking a bit of skin off we found heaps of thunder eggs. That’s all the hard work done but when you have the eggs cut open the surprise is well worth it. Out of the 12 or so eggs we had cut not one was the same. The colour and patterns are amazing.
But that’s not all the information and the casual conversation with the owner is worth the trip on its own. Truely a genuine nice guy.
I couldn’t recommend this day more highly for those interested in this type of stuff or just the excitement of finding a truely one off gem.
But that’s not all the information and the casual conversation with the owner is worth the trip on its own. Truely a genuine nice guy.
I couldn’t recommend this day more highly for those interested in this type of stuff or just the excitement of finding a truely one off gem.
Written 6 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptainVegetable
Melbourne, Australia105 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
We went to Rockhampton for Easter and saw fliers for this place. My daughter was very keen to go check it out on the way home we we made the detour and are very glad we did! Firstly the view from up the hill is pretty awesome. The setup is that mounds of dirt from the mine are placed in a safe area so you are given instructions on what to look out for, some tools and off you go to fossick. There were plenty of interesting rocks to gather and of course quite a few little thundereggs. Included in the cost of the fossicking is cutting open of a couple of these which is exciting for the kids to see. We came home with piles of "cool rocks" that have made our backyard rock garden much more interesting. My daughter's verdict - best Easter Egg hunt ever.
Written 19 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bronandcasey
North Lakes, Australia145 contributions
July 2020
What a find!! We called last minute as we were travelling in from Longreach and decided that we didn't want to drive in the dark and have animals darting in front of us as we drove. We turned off the highway onto a dirt track that led us up the mountain. What greeted us was a very friendly man who was more than helpful explaining the site and what we would be able to do. We loved Mt Hay. Thanks
Written 4 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caravan park with powered and unpowered sites!
Written 8 July 2017
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