Save the date: NSW’s largest annual fossicking and gemstone show, Minerama, will return to the Glen Innes Showgrounds from Friday the 10th to Sunday the 12th of March.
If you haven’t attended Minerama before, the show boasts a little bit of something for everyone, from seasoned fossickers right the way through to families looking for a fun day out.
The Glen Innes Showgrounds provides the main hub for the weekend. Here you’ll find over 100 traders displaying a huge array of gemstones and jewellery. There will also be on-site demonstrations, educational displays on gemology and mineralogy, and a range of kids’ activities for your littlest fossickers.
Entry to the showgrounds is via a $5 donation at the gates. The proceeds of the event are donated to a range of local charities.
Whether you are an experienced fossicker, or wanting to enter the world of fossicking, there will be field trips as part of the event. Each trip will cater to a different level of experience and will be held across the entirety of the weekend. These will require pre-booked tickets, so make sure you sign up for the Minerama newsletter to be kept up to date about these excursions. Glen Innes is well known for its rich fossicking history, and sapphires and other precious gems are still found in the area. With an experienced guide at the helm, you never know, this could be your lucky weekend!
Visitors wanting to get hands-on, but preferring to keep their activities indoors, will also not be disappointed. The organisers also have a wide range of workshops planned, some at the showgrounds, others from local providers in the Glen Innes township.
Like any good event, there will also be a variety of food and beverage options available. And, if you thought that you might need a break from all things shiny gem related, there’ll be some shiny cars to look at in the adjacent “Cars! Trucks! Bikes! Show and Shine” Event.
If you’re not a Glen Innes local, don’t worry, there are plenty of accommodation options in town. For those that really want to be at the heart of the action, you can even camp at the showgrounds.
With last year’s event attracting well over 4000 visitors, and this year promising to be even bigger, Minerama is definitely a local event to get on your calendar.
For more information, make sure you check out the Minerama Facebook page, or head over to their website for full event details.
Event Details:
Glen Innes Showgrounds
Friday, March 10th 9 am – 5 pm
Saturday, March 11th 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, March 12th 9 am – 3 pm