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South Australia (Eyre Peninsula) |
| Cowell | |
| COWELL is known for its whiting and as the world’s largest source of black “nephrite” jade, though not much of it is in evidence as it is largely exported rough. Arno Bay, Port Neil and the larger Tumby Bay all boast clean, quiet beaches and good fishing and a range of accommodation – they will try to entice you with their sundry museums and even a worm farm. Cowell is literally a gem of a place. Famed as Australia's only commercial jade mining site, the town is home to the rare black jade as well as green jades and fine marble. The unique markings of the stones are found in some of the world's largest deposits, formed during intense movements and re- crystallization within the earth's crust around 1700 million years ago. | |
| Anglers,
beach-lovers and boaties find other reasons for a visit, with Entrance
Island and Franklin Harbour providing a host of water and beach-based
activities. Point Price Sandhills offers white dunes and surfing, while
Lucky Bay has a safe swimming beach for children, plus other amenities.
If you venture about 90km inland from Cowell, you can view the patchwork of farmland from Carappee Hill, the highest point on the peninsula, but you need to be a very determined bushwalker to penetrate its spiky vegetation – the surrounding Carappee Conservation Park has no official paths, although there is a water supply for campers. COWELL JADE AND GEMSTONES |
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| A magnificent array of black and green jade together with some of the world's most colorful marble is on display for both viewing and purchasing. There is a jade processing plant opposite where the cutting of the giant jade boulders can often be seen. Tours into the jade mining areas in the nearby Minbrie Ranges are also available on request. | |
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