Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - stone fireplace building

I would like to build a fireplace from the river stones that my river has provided us. I need plans and direction. The style I am after is similar to what we see published in your Canadian log homes. I am in Australia, in the country with willing husband and plenty of spirit. I have sought out the web site Rumford already and it does not cover the use of stone and tips to align them for support and stability as well as the different looks and how to do them. Drystone versus grout...quoined edges and how to do them...the use of hebel bricks in the inside to stop the river rocks exploding...what degree of taper should the chimney have from mantel to very top? HELP please!
Sincerely Toni-Maree

Hello
you need to build the fire place inside as any good fire place is built the outside can be of stone..or any good outside covering that would sute your taste. the taper on the inside face should be done to you eyes 'like what they see' most will lay out the fire place on the wall and gett every thing to work and make a plan from that and build it, this way you will get what you want and like in the room you have it in....Good Luck...