Rubyvale, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RubyvaleQueensland |
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Main street of Rubyvale
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 Rubyvale
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 518 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 1.5366/km2 (3.980/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4702 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 337.1 km2 (130.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Central Highlands Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Gregory | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Flynn | ||||||||||||||
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Rubyvale is a small town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in a region called the Central Highlands Region. In 2021, about 518 people lived there.
Rubyvale is known for its beautiful sapphire gemstones. It was once part of a larger area called The Gemfields. In 2020, The Gemfields was divided into three new areas. Rubyvale became its own official locality, covering about 337 square kilometres.
Contents
Exploring Rubyvale's Location
Rubyvale is found in the south-east part of its locality. It is about 61 kilometres (38 miles) west of a larger town called Emerald. The land around Rubyvale is famous for its rich sapphire deposits. People come from all over to search for these precious gems.
A Glimpse into Rubyvale's Past
How Rubyvale Got Its Name
The name Rubyvale comes from a special discovery. In the early 1900s, a miner named William Dunn found a ruby here. It weighed about 5 to 6 pennyweights, which is a good size! William was very proud of his ruby and never sold it. After he passed away, the ruby was never found again.
Early Schools in Rubyvale
Rubyvale Provisional School first opened its doors on 19 October 1908. A provisional school was a temporary school. On 1 January 1909, it became Rubyvale State School, a permanent school. However, the school closed down in 1963.
Who Lives in Rubyvale?
The number of people living in Rubyvale has changed over the years:
- In 2006, there were 510 people.
- By 2016, the population grew to 640 people.
- In 2021, the population was 518 people.
What Can You Do in Rubyvale?
Rubyvale has a few handy places for residents and visitors. You can find a convenience store and newsagent, a post office, and a hotel with a bottle shop. There are also different places to stay if you visit.
One of the most popular activities is fossicking. This means searching for gemstones! Some well-known spots for fossicking include the Bob n John Mine, Bobby Dazzler, and Pats Gems.
The Central Highlands Regional Council also runs a public library in Rubyvale. It's located at 7 Burridge Road.
Learning and Education
There are no schools directly in Rubyvale today.
- For primary school, students usually go to Anakie State School in Anakie, which is south of Rubyvale.
- For high school, students travel to Emerald State High School in Emerald (to the east) or Capella State High School in Capella (to the north-east).
Rubyvale's Weather
The weather in Rubyvale can be quite different between seasons.
- In summer, it can get very hot, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
- In winter, it can get quite cold, sometimes dropping to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Special Places in Rubyvale
Rubyvale is home to some places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One such site is the Tomahawk Creek Huts, which are located nearby in Argyll.
