Queensland has a wealth of natural resources and this was very evident as we travelled inland from Mackay. The highway out to the gemfields took us through vast areas of coal mining. We visited the town of Moranbah, Queensland's newest town which services the BHP Peak Downs coal mine. They produce over 9 million tonnes of coal a year. There were over 8000 people in Moranbah at the 2011 census and the town is very fortunate to have the retail and professional services that are there. We had lunch here and did some shopping.

That night we stayed in a 'bus turn-around' area....really a truck and car bay on the side of the road. None-the-less it was another free stop so we made the most of it.

Our next stop was in Clermont, another town servicing coal mines. This one is the Blair Athol mine run by Rio Tinto. All the big boys have their fingers in the coal pie up here! They produce 12 million tonnes a year. We were absolutely amazed at the extent of coal mining in this area. We stocked up with water and that other important fluid.....wine! and headed out to Theresa Creek Dam. WOW!!! what a fantastic spot. We didn't have power but we had everything else. We loved it here and spent 2 days relaxing. I even became ambitious and applied for a fishing licence to dip my fishing rod in the dam. No Fish!

We broke camp and headed to Sapphire and Rubyvale. This was one of the things I desperately wanted to do - fossick for my fortune. We camped in the townsite (free of course) and shared the space with other campers and the local cows (see the photo). We went to the local gem stores and bought our buckets and bags of wash (this is what they call the dirt that you fossick in for sapphires and zircons). We had mixed fortune but I do have some samples to say I did 'fossick and find'. We were also fortunate to be in the area when the Gemfest was on at Anakie, a town 10 kilometres down the road. We caught the bus from Sapphire to Anakie and spent the day wandering around the gem stalls and listening to the local musical talent. I have a new appreciation for the piano accordian.

We loved our time on the gemfields and it was with a heavy heart we had to move on. Our next stop was at a little place called Duaringa (we passed through Blackwater on the way - another huge coal town). At Duaringa we had breakfast in the park with the local Lioness providing bacon and egg muffins.

Next stop Rockhampton and Yeppoon.