Fossickers Way

This 375 km trip explores one of the world's richest gem areas. Sapphires, jasper, prase, crystals and gold can all be found. Begin (or end) your trip in Nundle with good fossicking sites by the Peel River. Gold pan at Bowling Alley Point or Chaffey Dam. Visit Mount Misery Underground Gold Mine with a 120-metre underground tunnel.

Follow the Peel River to Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia. From there head to Manilla to see wrought iron veranda's and quaint shops. Manilla is also home to Dutton's Meadery. 35 km on is Barraba, rich in fossicking sites. Ironbark Creek or the 3 Creeks Gold Mine at Bingara are interesting spots.

Warialda is next with fossicking at Tiger's Gap. The Fossickers Way turns east on to Gwydir Highway to Inverell and Glen Innes. Inverell is one of the main centres for sapphires in the world.

The last major stop is Glen Innes. Visit the circle stones, Wellingrove Reserve, Pintops, Kingsgate and the towns of Emmaville and Torrington.