Opal Mines

Australian Opal Mines

Australian opal has been cited as accounting for 95–97% of the world’s supply of precious opal, with the state of South Australia accounting for 80% of the world’s supply.

History and Heritage

The first discovery of common opals in Australia was made near Angaston (SA) by the German geologist Johannes Menge in 1849. Both the Queensland Boulder Opal and Lightning Ridge fields attracted miners in the 1880’s. Production of precious opal began at White Cliffs (NSW) in 1890, from Opalton (Qld) in 1896, and at Lightning Ridge (NSW) in 1905.

Places to stay

If you want to visit the Opal mines in Coober Pedy, there are many places to stay, such as Hotels, Motels, and caravan parks and cabins

Things to do

Whilst not the only one, Coober Pedy is known as an opal mining town, and there are plenty of interesting and fun things to do there. You could visit the Umoona Opal mine and museum, Coober Pedy’s opal mine golf course, The old timers mine and the Kanku-Breakaways conservation park.