In 1964 I (René), Nelleke my wife and our daughter Iefje emigrated from Holland to Australia. I was 29 years old and Nelleke a few years younger.
We chose to live in the tropics in the far north of Australia, a place unknown to many people around the world.
The cold weather and the longing for adventure were the main reasons for leaving the Netherlands. We found a job in the tobacco fields. During that time we met a guy from Macedonia and he introduced us to a place called Agate Creek. He had never before heard the word agates. This was my first introduction to the world of semi-precious stones and in particular agates.
In later years, from 1965 to 1968, we went to Agate Creek in an old Nissan Patrol. It had very primitive suspension, the road conditions were terrible, and it took two full days to get there.
There weren’t many other people there, digging for these potato-like treasures. The so-called surface material was already gone by then. Digging a hole up to 3 meters with a pick and shovel in dry, hard ground was hard work. The heat, the millions of flies and the constant shortage of drinking water were the harsh circumstances we had to face. But the rewards were very exciting.
Digging for agate nodules was not something for the so-called “city lungs”! But coming home after 12-14 days to Atherton with bags full of agates made up for all the blisters and pain, even though only 30-35%, after cutting, are good for collectors the world over. We are very, very selective and classify those that have faults, fractures, uninteresting patterns and large crystallizations in the center. But the good ones are so beautiful in color, pattern, and design that it is not easy to compare them with other agates in other parts of the world. Mother Nature did a wonderful job!
A very interesting book on agates in general, including Agate Creek agates, is available at http://www.agate-nodule.com/category/publications
These days, Agate Creek is still a very interesting place to visit and is much more accessible than in the old days. Now, there is a place to camp, fresh water and friendly people to point out the places, where you can still dig up some agates.
In 1996 Nelleke and I, with the two girls, went back to the Netherlands to try to sell the raw agates. It was not a smart move at all, as the Dutch did not know what they were and what to do with these “Rocks”.
Now what? I decided to start making jewelry from agates. That worked and we started making a living again. In 1969 we opened, with borrowed money, a Museum called “De Oude Aarde” (The Old Earth) in a place called Giethoorn, near Zwolle.
Although it is no longer ours, it is still one of the most interesting mineralogical museums in the Netherlands. A must if visiting Europe.
In 1977 we returned with the 3 girls to North Queensland, to our beloved Atherton Tablelands. After 3 years of taking it easy, I decided to start another museum. This time, a fantasy museum of dreams come true, to awaken people to the phenomenon of crystal formations from around the world. With financial help from the development bank of Australia, I built a spectacular semi-subterranean cave simulated museum, a land of adventure, a fairy tale for all ages. Visitors receive a lighted mining helmet and a catalogue. Completing this mini-expedition takes about an hour. It has been the greatest success of my life. Visitors from all over the world have visited this exciting and at the same time educational cave-museum, with its incredible collection of the most spectacular specimens from around the world on display. Many of the larger specimens are freestanding and can be touched. This is greatly appreciated as you can regularly read in our guest book.
The creation of “The Crystal Caves” took 14 months to complete, with the help of a dedicated group of 5 great people. The grand opening was in 1992 when the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Mr. Bob Gibbs, flew in from Brisbane to perform the opening. Television, newspapers and other media were all there to support the opening and marveled at the wonders from the depths of our Earth. You can see a picture of the museum at http://www.crystalcaves.com.au/.
The remaining agates, the ones that were sent to Holland, were returned to Australia in 1977. Combined with the agates we left behind with friends, we are now sorting, cutting and polishing them after all those years! You will find on our new website http://www.agatesaustralia.com only the finest Queensland agates for sale.
