Snapshot in Time: Remembering when Kalbarri’s Pelican Cafe was a downstairs gemstone mine called Fantasy Land

Known as Fantasy Land, this Kalbarri cafe was once a cave of treasures with thousands of gems, where tourists could descend a flight of stairs to see a mine. In the 1970s and 80s there were 44 gallon drums full of gemstones, with tiger eye, amethyst and other semi-precious stones scattered on the walls, and thousands of dolls from around the world showcased as an exhibition. Owners from 1976, Gwyn and Cliff Ross eventually sold the business, with Colleen and Glenn Bubb purchasing the building and hoping to re-open the gem mine in February last year. Now known as Pelican Cafe, the popular coffee stop is under new ownership since December last year. It’s believed the new owners are looking at doing up a wall about the building’s special history down the line. Snapshots is an initiative of the Geraldton Regional Library. For more information, or to donate a historical photo or slide contact 9956 6659 or library@cgg.wa.gov.au