Community & Business
18 November, 2025
Caves pick up gold
ATHERTON’S Crystal Caves has picked up gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards held on Saturday night.
The popular attraction in Main Street, which has been operating for more than 40 years, was awarded gold in the Tourism Attractions category.
The unique attraction was established by René Boissevain who has spent a lifetime travelling to every corner of the world to collect natural crystals and prehistoric fossils.
René’s love of mineral specimens and crystals began in the early 1960s when he found a large agate nodule at Agate Creek, near Forsayth.
In 1983, he had established a rock shop in the main street of Atherton called “Fascinating Facets”, adding more chambers in 1991-92 and the name changed to Crystal Caves.
Covering an area of 300 sq meters, the interactive displays allow visitors o touch and photograph over 600 crystals and fossils.
On its Facebook page, manager Ghis Gallo, who is René’s daughter, explained how proud she was of all of the staff who had made the win possible.
“Winning at the Queensland Tourism Awards is something I’ve wanted to achieve for René for many years,” she said.
“So we listened to our industry, we did the work, and we elevated our business to the next level. Being recognised with a gold win is a moment I couldn’t be prouder of.
“This family business began with René and Nelleke’s vision for something genuine, educational, quirky and fun. Today, as their daughter, I’m honoured to carry that legacy forward - supported by my daughter Anna, who has lifted our digital presence beyond anything I could have imagined, and my husband Adrian, who keeps the cave maintained, repaired and always moving forward.
“Our incredible staff are part of this family too. They embrace René’s vision and deliver our wonderfully whacky product with authenticity and commitment every single day.”
