Emerald is a small city located in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland. It lies on the Nogoa River, approximately 300 kilometers from the coast. The sapphire fields that are located west of the town are the largest in the southern hemisphere. A short drive away is Lake Maraboon, the largest artificial lake in Australia, due to the Fairbairn Dam which holds back its water. This dam allows for the area's cotton and fishing industry to be successful.