With the Empress of Uruaguay the largest amythest geode in the world. At the Crystal Cascades Atherton.
Think it is a little kitsch to visit a museum that invites visitors to wear illuminated hard hats as they explore fake underground caves? Perhaps, however the impressive private mineralogical collection on display at the Crystal Caves in Atherton Queensland is world class. Wearing a hard hat as we discovered beautiful crystals and fossils added a sense of fun and excitement to the activity. The natural beauty of over 600 specimens was entrancing for our whole family but for different reasons. My young sons perceived the colourful crystals as connected with fairies and magic, my husband and I were awed by the natural world. By far the highlight of the visit was witnessing the Empress of Uruaguay, the world’s largest amethyst geode. I dare anyone not to be impressed by this stunning, giant, semi-precious gem.
Entry to the Crystal Caves isn’t cheap – it is $55 dollars for a family (two adults and three children). Bearing in mind though that it is a private collection, and one that must have cost a fortune to accumulate, I could appreciate the entrance cost.
A visit to the Crystal Caves is a surprisingly engaging activity for the whole family, and perfect for a rainy day in the tropics. The Crystal Caves are located in Atherton, one and a half hours from Cairns. For an additional cost you may purchase and “crack” a crystal filled geode. Small geodes are on sale for $40. Both my boys relished the cracking of their geode – a particularly beautiful one, and now each own half of a whole treasure to keep forever. It is an indicator of the success of the outing that although we visited three months ago, they still talk about the caves, cracking the geode and regularly take their own geode out to marvel at.
The Crystal Caves are located at 69 Main Street Atherton. You may want to check their website for opening hours as they vary. The Crystal Caves temporarily shut during the month of February.
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This post is linked to Delicious Baby’s photo Friday.
My daughter and son absolutely loved visiting this attraction. Daughter because of all the sparkly crystals and son possibly because of the hard hat and the fact that his big sister loved it. I thought it was quite good.
It’s sometimes surprising Jan what kids take to. – The attraction is a bit unusual but my boys keep asking to go back.