Travel Action Matilda Country Magazine 2023 - Volume 34

WORLD FAMOUS SAPPHIRES
The world’s largest black sapphire, the Black Star of Queensland, was
discovered in the Sapphire Gemfi elds in the 1930s by 12-year-old Roy
Spencer, who’d simply kicked what he thought was a lump of coal.
Roy’s family used it as a doorstop for 10 years before his father scraped
away the edge and noticed the star shape.
In 1947, the Spencers sold the stone to the Kazanjian brothers, highend
US jewellers, for $18,000. After being faceted, the Black Star of
Queensland weighed 733 carats and is estimated to be worth about
$100 million today.
The Kazanjians went on to purchase four more large sapphires
from the Sapphire Gemfi elds, which they cut into busts of American
Presidents Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson and Eisenhower.
GET AWAY TO QUEENSLAND’S BEST BUSH PUB
The New Royal Hotel has always been a
place where travellers and locals alike can
fi nd a seat, a friendly word, cold beer, tasty
meals, stories (lots of hilarious and doubtful
stories!) and the kind of unpretentious
welcome unique to Aussie bush pubs.
This Queensland Hotel Association Award
Hall of Fame pub has had a fascinating past.
Originally built in 1908, the current hotel was
rebuilt in 1997 on the site of the original Royal
Hotel. The new hotel, constructed of local
narrow leaf ironbark and billy boulders, was
sold in February 2022 to new proprietors,
Michelle and Brett Walton. In the 100 years
since the fi rst New Royal was built, its history
and fortunes have mirrored those of the
surrounding Sapphire Gemfi elds. Some years
have been rich with good fortune, buzzing with visitors and activity and The Royal sparkled as
the centre of attention in the region.
The billy boulder and log cabins located in the native garden, with their open wood fi res and
generous proportions, are popular with both couples and families. In 2020 four Fossickers
Quarters were added to the accommodation, perfect for couples and the single traveller.
Don’t miss out on the great meals that are served at the New Royal, open seven days a week
for lunch and dinner. Bar options are available all day on weekends.
TRAVEL ACTION MATILDA COUNTRY MAGAZINE // Sapphire Genfields
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