Gemfest – Festival of Gems 2019 – 32nd Year – Bigger and better than ever!

There’s no better place to celebrate the origin, appeal and sheer beauty of precious and semi-precious stones at the home of the largest sapphire fields in the Southern Hemisphere. The annual Gemfest Festival of Gems is recognised as one of the most popular celebrations of sapphires and gems in Australia. Crowds of over 7000 people converge on Central Queensland’s Sapphire Gemfields for the annual four-day festival, held every year in the second week of August.

Gemfest has been running since 1988 and this year promises to be bigger than ever with an amazing combination of traders & merchants, activities, exhibitions, entertainment, workshops, prizes, demonstrations and much, much more.

While local sapphires are undoubtedly the gem of choice at the Festival, diamonds, pearls, zircons, opals and other gemstones will also be amongst the sparkling array, along with gold, crystals, fossils and minerals.

Gemfest offers a four-day celebration filled with an exciting array of fun and entertainment for the whole family. From gem displays and exhibitions, music and live performances, dedicated children’s entertainment area, gems and jewellery on sale, and lapidary and equipment supplies for the gem enthusiasts, the Festival truly has something for everyone. And while you’re here, it’s the perfect opportunity to try your luck and experience gem fossicking in search of that precious stone in some of the largest sapphire fields in the world.

If your luck runs out in the gemfields, on entry to Gemfest you can fill in the gate ticket and drop in the barrel for a chance to win the Daily Lucky Gate Prize, or you can always enter the always popular Gemfest Raffleand be in the draw to win an exceptional prize pool including exclusive locally-made sapphire jewellery. There’s also lots of other competitions and prizes to be won, including the popular Stake-a-Claim game.

Gemfest headquarters is the Anakie School of Arts Hall and the Allen King Memorial Park, just past the Anakie Hotel. One of the key attractions is the Jewels of the Outback exhibition, which features rare and exceptional sapphires, many that are only on display at Gemfest. Enjoy the Saturday Night Spectacular with live entertaiment and Fireworks, held on the Saturday night at the Rubyvale Flats that and proved to be a favourite on the Gemfest calendar, with loads of free entertainment.

Visitors come from far and wide to share the excitement, enjoy the gemfields and marvel at the gems on display. It’s hard not to get caught up in the Gemfest excitement, with many visitors making the annual trip to the Festival, often staying for the entire winter season.

There’s no wonder why so many people come back time and time again; Gemfest truly is a celebration that you need to experience for yourself!  Join us this year for the most amazing Festival of Gems!