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Sapphire Central

QLD 4702 • Queensland

1,214
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
636.75 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralOutbackRemoteTourist HubFossicking
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About Sapphire Central

Sapphire Central is a rural locality in Queensland's Central Highlands Region, situated approximately 54 kilometres west of Emerald and around 886 kilometres north-west of Brisbane. Covering an area of 140.8 square kilometres with a 2021 population of 1,214 and a density of around 8.6 persons per square kilometre, it is a sparsely settled outback locality within the Central Highlands Regional Council. The area encompasses the small township of Sapphire — the gateway to the world-famous Queensland Gemfields — and sits on the Capricorn Highway corridor connecting Rockhampton to Longreach. This locality shares its postcode 4702 with a broad swathe of the Central Highlands region.

Sapphire Central is best known for its gemstone fossicking fields, which attract visitors from across Australia and beyond seeking sapphires, rubies, zircons, and other semi-precious stones. The Sapphire Gemfields form part of a broader fossicking region that includes nearby Rubyvale and Anakie, making this corner of outback Queensland one of the most accessible gem fossicking destinations in the country. Emerald, 54 kilometres to the east, provides the nearest full range of shops, schools, hospitals, and services. Life here is quintessentially outback Queensland — wide open spaces, a fossicking and pastoral community, and a pace of life far removed from the coast.

Sapphire Central falls under postcode 4702 and is governed by the Central Highlands Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Flynn, while state elections fall under the Rockhampton electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4702
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Highlands
Federal Electorate
Flynn
State Electorate
Rockhampton
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-24.33°, 149.78°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
636.75 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4702

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4702, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$49,286
Median 2023–24
$61,737
▲ 25.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$72,932

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4702; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Emerald
54 km
N/A (car required)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Emerald 45-60 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
886 km
By Train
No direct service; Spirit of the Outback from Emerald to Brisbane (~14 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
N/A (regional)
By Car (Off-Peak)
~9 hrs to Brisbane; ~45-60 min to Emerald

🛣️ Very remote; Emerald is the nearest service hub at ~54 km

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

An outback fossicking locality with no walkable retail or services; car is required for everything

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
1,214
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Central Highlands Local Government Area, which contains Sapphire Central. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
841.5 / 100k
2yr Up 79.3% 10yr Up 85.7%
Motor vehicle theft
309.7 / 100k
2yr Up 12.1% 10yr Up 169.2%
Non-FV assault
1,373.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 210.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
6.7 / 100k
2yr Down 51.2% 10yr Up 93.1%
Steal from vehicle
356.8 / 100k
2yr Up 43.6% 10yr Down 39.1%
View all offence categories for Central Highlands →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sapphire Central known for? +

Sapphire Central is best known as part of the Queensland Gemfields, one of Australia's most popular fossicking destinations. The area is famous for sapphires, rubies, and zircons, attracting fossickers and gem enthusiasts from around Australia and internationally.

How far is Sapphire Central from Emerald? +

Sapphire Central is approximately 54 kilometres west of Emerald, the nearest major service town, typically a 45–60 minute drive along the Capricorn Highway.

Does Sapphire Central have public transport? +

Public transport is extremely limited in Sapphire Central. There is no rail service to the locality itself; the nearest train station is at Emerald, served by Queensland Rail's Spirit of the Outback. A car is essential for living in or visiting the area.

What is the population of Sapphire Central? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sapphire Central has a population of 1,214 residents across an area of 140.8 square kilometres, giving it a very low population density of around 8.6 persons per square kilometre.

Is Sapphire Central a good place to live? +

Sapphire Central suits those who love the outback lifestyle and have a passion for fossicking, agriculture, or wide open spaces. It is remote, with Emerald providing the nearest major services, but offers a unique, off-the-beaten-track lifestyle in the heart of Queensland's gemstone country.

What is the postcode for Sapphire Central? +

The postcode for Sapphire Central, QLD is 4702, which covers a broad area of the Central Highlands Region.

Is Sapphire Central a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sapphire Central is part of the Central Highlands LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.