Opal fossicking nsw. au Mar 1, 2021 · Opal Fossicking in Outback QLD.

1996: Moeckel built the bottle house for his wife, Nola. Hours: From 9:00am 7 days. This activity is extended to all those who visit from simply fossicking (or as the locals say 'noodling’) through to open cut mining. Black opal is very very very rare. The two most famous areas are Lightning Ridge known for producing black opal the most valuable form and White Cliff. Noodling is about persistence and luck, there is a very high chance you will find nothing and there is a equally high chance you might find something. Unlike ordinary opals the black opal has carbon and iron oxide trace elements in it, producing the most sought-after opal in the world. Fossicking is a popular and rewarding activity in the Oberon district, with a few designated fossicking areas accessible to the public where you do not require a "Fossicking Licence". White Cliffs opal field is only about 4 sq km in total area. ‘Noodling’ is a term used to describe fossicking solely for opal, and, almost 100 years ago, Coober Pedy was established in SA – an entire community based underground to facilitate access to the opal mines. The nearest town is Wilcannia, which is 94km away. au Mar 1, 2021 · Opal Fossicking in Outback QLD. Lightning Ridge is the global home of black opal its fields have no equal in the world. The town is known for its ‘pineapple’ opals, with a spiky shape — and even more famous for the unusual way in which many of its residents live: underground, to avoid the heat. Opals aside, Lightning Ridge is also the most prolific and only significant source of dinosaur fossils in the state. May 27, 2021 · Whilst dark opal has been found in other areas including white cliffs and Coober Pedy, Black opal can now only be found on one place on earth and that is in the small town of Lightning Ridge NSW. Visitors may fossick or “spec” for opal on a field provided they have first obtained permission of the landowner or leaseholder. How to apply. Opal and Gem Fossicking in Australia. If you intend to undertake mining operations, you will need to apply for a Mineral Claim. Lightning Ridge is the black opal capital of the world, producing 95% of the world’s Black Opal. You may have also seen Andrew on ‘Outback Opal Hunters’ (14min into vid)A long weekend in Koroit Opal Mine. You can also buy pieces of petrified wood in the shop from $1 upwards if you have no luck at the fossicking site! His love for Opal mining inspired his wife Sacha to develop REO in 2008 to support their 5 children. com/sakura Apr 9, 2013 · Wal, sadly the rules don't vary at all across any opal fields, albeit Grawin, Coocoran, Mehi etc. A permit can cover a family group with a maximum of 5 people (2 adults and 3 children under 18 years of age). Anyone can purchase a gem fossicking container (Small (45mm deep) – $10, Large (90mm deep) – $18) and collect as many gemstones as they can fit in their container, which they get to keep. The First licenced opal mine open to the public in Lightning Ridge. Make sure you have a copy of your permit with you. Predominately White Cliffs opal is seam opal and occasionally the seam is vertical which means the color bars run across the opal and can be hard to face when cutting. South australia has a rich history when it comes to Australian Boulder Opal Rough Chart 4th Jan 2023. There’s even a huge fossicking heap outside the Lightning Ridge Information Centre, where you can try your luck at finding a nugget of opal. 10969_duck-sheep-station-creek-fossicking-land Author: Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines Subject: Map of the Duck Creek and Sheep Station Creek opal fossicking areas in Western Queensland Keywords: fossicking, opals, Western Queensland Created Date: 9/20/2023 3:54:57 PM Feb 15, 2024 · The underground opal mine museum. Jun 9, 2020 · Mining for boulder opal in Koroit, Queensland Australia June 2020. Follow the rules in the Guide to Embark on a captivating journey to the opal fields, located about 70 kilometers from Lightning Ridge, with our unique tour. There are a number of opal fossicking sites throughout Outback Queensland, particularly Opalton, Quilpie and Yowah. Its population of about 2600 (2006 census, Australian Bureau of Statistics) is highly variable due to transient miners and residents. 02 6829 1383 Fossickers Cottages bookings at Lost Sea Opals 2 Morilla St, Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 . FOICIN A GUIDE TO FOSSICKING IN NSW What are the restrictions on fossicking? The Mining Act 1992 and the Mining Regulation 2016 set out a number of laws that people must adhere to when fossicking. Thread starter Skinface; Start date Feb 28, 2021; NSW Fossicking Newbie! ruffpup; Feb 14, 2024; Introduce Yourself; Replies 0 Jul 16, 2022 · During a trip to White Cliffs NSW, I took a night tour with Noah from The Young Guns on Opal Hunters the TV show. 52 Lightning Ridge. The NSW Resources Regulator is carrying out compliance activity in Grawin Opal Fields NSW to deter illegal fossicking activities in the Grawin mullock dumps. Sep 24, 2023 · Whether you seek gold fossicking, gold mining, or gold panning in NSW, these hallowed grounds hold the promise of unearthing nature’s most coveted treasures. More details can be obtained from Forestry NSW (Bathurst Office 6331 2044). White, grey and green opal are the most common, with black opal to be considered the rarest form of opal. au gleninneshighlands. 4. The area is renowned for its therapeutic artesian bores and as the gateway to the NSW opal fields, including the black opal mining and fossicking town of Lightning Ridge. Miners dump their leftover opal rubble there, for the occasional visitors and locals alike to enjoy a bit of fossicking for fun. S. - Figure 71. Select the ‘Apply online’ button. 30pm (Monday to Saturday), 9am to 4pm (Sunday) 11 Ballantyne Court Glenview QLD 4553. I visited Koroit opal mine back in 1968. com. Get an insight into the life of an opal miner and see how the locals live. There are four Opal Prospecting Licences. Located in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, and known for its picturesque views, Glen Innes is the most prolific sapphire region in NSW, and one of the world’s richest mineral diversity belts. Walgett Shire is bolstered by up to 70 000 visitors a year (Tourism Research Australia 2008) who come to try opal fossicking or to explore an outback mining town. Wind: 10 - 30kph Northernly. 809107 Longitude: 153. We meet up with our local Opalton guide for a tour the old town site and opal mining areas before you try your hand at fossicking for opals. The information is provided by Outback Opal Tours and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website Welcome to the New England Lapidary and Fossicking Club. Video by Sandy Kent - iPhone 7 plus. Potch Package – guided underground mine experience including fossicking, tea & coffee B. your contact details; your payment. 6 metres. Bottle House An opal mining town so hot in summer most of its residents live underground. We're part of the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales, which has the world’s richest mineral diversity belt. Go opal fossicking. 491061 Notes: What To Find: Opal, Common [Rumoured] Opal, Precious [Rumoured] Location Attributes: No Miner's Right / License Required Road Reserve Recommended Tools: Bucket Shovel Sieves Map: Jun 17, 2021 · Visit a genuine working Opal mine. Music:chill. REO are proud to be the source of the world renown extremely rare gem/mineral. Application for Class G mineral claim (open cut mining operations) in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District (section 178 of the Act) $470. Nov 10, 2022 · The so called ‘opal pineapples’ found at White Cliffs, NSW are opal pseudomorphs of the mineral ikaite. 51. com One of the largest fossicking gem and jewellery shows in NSW, Minerama is the fossicker’s dream. gov. When Fossicking. However I can Nov 25, 2023 · 1. Grab your "Noodling Kit" from the Visitor Information Centre and head outside to one of several fossicking sites dotted around Lightning Ridge and the Opal Fields of Grawin Glengarry & Sheepyards. Of course as with any search for treasure, typically those Go underground at White Cliffs . Jan 16, 2022 · Fossick for sapphires and zircons at Oberon in NSW. Bathurst Region Welcome to the fabled Bathurst region in New South Wales, Australia, a place steeped in the glittering history of gold mining and a magnet for modern-day prospectors Oct 18, 2023 · The Minns Labor Government last week passed the Mining Amendment (Mineral Claims—Opal) Bill 2023 to address issues regarding the invalidity of mineral claims associated with opal mining in Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs. Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre Lions Park, Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge NSW 2834 T Telephone (02) 6829 1670. Head to the Visitor Information Centre and ask for a ‘Noodling Kit’. Australian boulder opal rough chart australian boulder opal rough is Famous Opals in Australian Opal Mining History 18th Feb 2023. For more information on fossicking in QLD and getting a licence, visit the QLD Fossicking Licence page. Fossicking through the dirt in search of your own treasure is a great way to fritter away an entire day in Lightning Ridge! Not only is it addictive, it’s also very beginner-friendly… and rather therapeutic. Carry your permit with you when you go fossicking. Let OUTBACK OPAL TOURS take you on the dirt roads and give your car a brake The use of the name Outback Opal Tours is protected as are the logo and content of this website. 5-hour drive from the regional hub of Broken Hill. It’s internationally famous for deep rich, royal blue sapphires. More information. Situated 250 kilometres south-west of Longreach (and the nearest commercial airport), the desolate town of Jundah has a population of roughly 100 and boasts two (closed) churches and one (working) pub. Agitator: (‘agi’) Concrete agitators that have been adapted to wash the clay away from opal. Oct 21, 2013 · Australians have also taken their adoration of opal to a cultural level. Complete the online form to get your permit. 88 Fox Street, Walgett NSW 2832 T Telephone (02) 6828 6139. On this FULL DAY TOUR you will visit all three unique bush pubs located out on the opal fields and go fossicking for opals. The major opal-producing areas in NSW are Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs. Let OUTBACK OPAL TOURS take you on the dirt roads and give your car a brake The districts rich volcanic soils can offer other gems and minerals. The field was first mined in 1889 and was the first recognised Opal field in the country. The cost of a yearly fossicking permit is $ 00 inclusive of GST. Lightning Ridge opal fossicking heap. com Jan 13, 2017 · Opal was usually discovered by someone, usually not looking for opal, picking up a stone that shone in the sun. He showed me how to find opals in the dark Mar 11, 2019 · Note: If you’re fossicking in a group or club, each person or family must have a permit. It’s a small wonder that more and more people are flocking to Glen Innes Highlands to fossick. A. Oct 21, 2021 · The town with its relatively small population of around 6,000 people, is often overwhelmed with over 80,000 visitors every year, with many trying their luck at opal fossicking. One such gem, is the amazing Diamond found near Copeton Dam, the Staggy Creek Fossicking Area provides a site where you can look for the Diamonds together with Black Tourmaline and Quartz. 1 on Tripadvisor among 7 attractions in White Cliffs. Tintenbar is essentially the only area that has produced commercial quantities of precious opal from a so called “volcanic geological environment”. Collarenebri Visitor Information Centre 37 Wilson Street, Collarenebri NSW 2833 T Telephone (02) 6756 2104 E Email tourism@walgett. Mar 23, 2022 · Watch Andrew (Down to Earth Opals) show us our Opals true colours. Beside the road there are a couple of large communal opal dirt dumps where there is a chance to find seam opal, they don't wash dirt like the Ridge. A. A Mountain opal sold in London in 1896 for 150 English Pounds. Frosty's Fossicking Frolics Fossicking in White Cliffs, NSW. Hayley's daughter and a friend recently found 53 chips of opal pieces outside the Fossicker's Den. It is generally believed that opal occurs more frequently when these changes take place. Opal is a glassy looking stone and will glisten when the sun hits it so is easily seen. W. The Shire is on the productive soil plans of NSW and traditional rural pursuits have been farming and grazing. Even miners have the same odds. Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Mountains around 150km west of Sydney, Oberon has five fossicking sites opened to the public. Apr 9, 2013 · Black light doesn't work on Lightning Ridge opal, leave the light at home. Fossicking is easy, cheap, no licence is needed in NSW (unless you intend to fossick in a state forest, in Visitors VENTURE UNDERGROUND – where dreams are made or broken, explore our ON-SITE OPAL FIELD, Search for TREASURE in our HUGE FOSSICKING AREA. Facebook Only two claims produced significant quantities of Opal in this area and much of the Opal was in the form of big Black Nobbies. Best place to spec for opal are the Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard fields, 80 km west of the Ridge. - just the town opal field (not including Coocoran, New Angledool, Grawin- Carters Rush etc) at Lightning Ridge is 65 sq km. Goulburn Gem and Lapidary Club Inc Rear of McDermott Community Centre 163 Auburn Street Goulburn NSW 2580 Postal Address: The Secretary Jun 22, 2020 · White Cliffs, Lightning Ridge and the region’s other opal fields are also a dazzling key to our mysterious past – buried in the Australian opal fields are fossils of dinosaurs and other creatures that lived 110 million years ago, in Early Cretaceous times. Slide / Blow: The area underground where the opal level slips or slides or changes direction. There have been many famous opals discovered throughout time in There is plenty of Opal to be found in Lightning Ridge, and our fossicking heaps come from our local mines. Aug 25, 2022 · Lightning Ridge is famous for its rare and absurdly expensive black opal! Today we return to the famous fields to hunt for this elusive stone! We were presen Apr 9, 2013 · The opal fossils and "pineapples" at White Cliffs fetch a good price, but won't be found noodling. You can Relax and Enjoy the scenery and birdlife, with a complimentary TEA OR COFFEE. Shallow Belars: As the name suggests, this field is quite shallow, with a depth of 0. You'll visit three iconic bush pubs: the Club in the Scrub, Glengarry… You'll visit three iconic bush pubs: the Club in the Scrub, Glengarry Hilton, and Sheepyard Inn, each offering a taste of local charm. Coober Pedy (popular with backpackers and tourists because of its closeness to the Stuart Highway), Andamooka (still like the Wild West), Lightning Ridge (quite sophisticated and suburban) and White Cliffs, which seems to have just the right balance Jan 20, 2013 · White Cliffs is 259km east from Broken Hill NSW, which is the main shopping centre for the locals. Print quality versions of the fossicking guidance material are available for download below: Travel underground to discover the buried history of this opal-mining town, touring working mines and digging for your own precious stones. Everything you need to know about fossicking Australian Opal Centre Ltd. A fossicking license is required in all other State Forest areas. Page 5 Mining Regulation 2016 [NSW] Contents Page Published LW 12 August 2016 (2016 No 498) 99 Penalty notice offences and penalties 46 100 Service of documents on the Crown 46 Opal prospecting refers to mineral exploration for opals and must take place in an Opal Prospecting Area (OPA). . The area is famous for its rich blue sapphires, and the easy access to fossicking sites for tourists. The Full-Day Tour to Glengarry, Grawin, Sheepyard Opal fields, and all bush pubs are available daily. Authorities will ask to see it and fines may be issued if it is not presented. We head south of Winton to the opal mining community of Opalton – a location on the TV series Outback Opal Hunters. The Lightning Ridge opal mining fields are synonymous with world famous gem quality black opals. Read about where you can fossick for gems on western Queensland’s opal fields. South Australian Opal Fields 4th Jan 2023. Today, Australia is responsible for over 95% of precious opal, with the majority coming from Jun 20, 2016 · This means as opposed to real fossicking you are not looking for pockets or seams. Fossicking for Opals Where do Opals come from? Opals are found deep in rock crevasses. The Shire is also an important fossil site. Visitors are usually encouraged to go noodling in and around the old workings to find stones that were accidentally thrown away by the old timers. This stone would have broken free of the earth where the opal layer broke through the surface on the side of a hill. We are a family orientated club with the aim of getting out into the wide fresh air filled country side fossicking for gem stones and MinView is loading . Australia produces over 90 per cent of the world’s precious opal, and more than half comes from NSW opal fields. There is the possibility of finding sapphires, zircon, gold and diamond here! This is an amazing spot for fossicking in Australia. Mar 1, 2024 · Blue and Hayley run the Fossicker's Den and provide a self guided tour with all the information and tips you need, even a map and all your fossicking tools; sieve, shovel, pick and spray bottle. The name Lightning Ridge came about one Jan 24, 2017 · The first discovery of opal in this area was at Bull Creek in 1885, north of the current township location. PO Box 229 3/11 Morilla St Lightning Ridge NSW 2834. Take a guided tour of the area to learn more about White Cliffs and the history of opal mining, or try your hand at fossicking for Australia’s national gemstone yourself in the opal fields. Lightning Ridge. Dreaming of gold? The most popular pastime in White Cliffs is of course opal mining. Hayley and Blue own a mine and have a couple of claims. 6°) but finished a beautiful sunny Max 26. 2. The NSW Resources Regulator is then responsible for regulating environmental protection, rehabilitation, work health and safety at opal prospecting and mine sites. As your adventure comes to an end and the sun descends, you’ll be treated to some of the best stargazing you’ll ever witness as the night sky comes to Red Earth Opal - The Opal Mine Tour, White Cliffs: See 166 reviews, articles, and 119 photos of Red Earth Opal - The Opal Mine Tour, ranked No. Those sparkling rocks turned out to be opals — the first commercial Jundah-Opalville is the site where the first black opals were found in Australia, and the site of the largest fine boulder opal ever unearthed. It's a must for everyone wanting to experience something quite different, who loves fossicking, and who wants to learn about the area including farming and wildlife. 5 drive from Broken Hill in Outback NSW, in 1884. A) Moeckel, b. "The White Cliffs Opal Pineapple. 5. It's believe that once water evaporates from inside these crevasses, the silica that is left behind dries out and solidifies into opal. much the same as in White Cliffs. $5 per person thereafter • Caravan and Camping Area • Powered sites Download as . Koroit Opal Mine Another amazing opal spot in the Yowah region. A yearly fossicking licence will set you back $27. Opals were first found in White Cliffs, an 11-hour drive northwest of Sydney or a 2. If someone goes down a shaft there the outcome would be no different. $25 p/night powered site for 2 people . I loved everything about White Cliffs: the weird alien landscape of the opal field, the Red Earth Opal Mine Tour, fossicking with Fossicker's Den, the Art House with a thousand figures made of old railway spikes, the masses of birds, the hot dusty windy rutted streets, staying at the underground hotel, the solar array, the rusty old equipment Open 9am to 4. 50 for a family (up to five people). Friday 3rd May 2013 Sightseeing and Fossicking in White Cliffs. What you need. Volcanic opals in Queensland were found in Springsure in 1872 and known as Mountain opal. 1934 d. Fossicking is currently permitted in two parks through plans of management: Safety on the opal fields. Jul 20, 2021 · For more information on fossicking in NSW and getting a fossicking licence here, visit the NSW Fossicking Permit website. All fossicking must abide by NSW Fossicking guidelines, see below to download a copy of A Guide to Fossicking in NSW. Opal mines and the plain that surrounds Lightning Ridge, NSW Amigo's Castle, Lightning Ridge, NSW The bottle house mining museum, Lightning Ridge, NSW, built by German-born Australian artist Tex (H. Opals were also sold in London from this mine in 1879 and 1886 Apr 15, 2022 · Opal Caravan Park is huge and is the closest park to Lightning Ridges Artesian Bore Baths. Fossicking in other than designated fossicking areas or private property requires permission from the owner. What attracted me most of all as we rattled along the old corrugated road between Cunnamulla and Charleville, western Queensland was the beautiful streams of hot crystal clear water gushing from bore heads. Outback Opal Tours , Lightning Ridge The Lightning Ridge Opal Festival is a four-day celebration of Lightning Ridge and its luminous opal and gem industry, held every July. Fossicking in NSW Cost. Precious opal is opal characterised by the colourful and brilliant flashes of colours. White Cliff is famous for its seam opal which tends to be white or crystal opal. Queensland opal deposits occur in non-marine sedimentary rocks and opalised animal remains are very rare, however fossil wood fragments showing annual growth rings and cellular wood textures occur and sometimes these are beautifully fossicking gem & jewellery show minerama. Crystal Package - Guided underground mine experience including fossicking, tea/coffee & lunch package – (consisting of sandwiches and Opal Prospecting Licences and Mineral Claims are issued under the Mining Act 1992 by NSW Resources within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. A fossicking licence valid for Y ou can go out and try your luck in the Bathurst region with two public fossicking areas close to the Bathurst and five local businesses that offer gold panning tours and services to suit any group. The opal dirt that is felt more likely to contain opal Boulder opal is unique to Queensland and is found in the mining belt stretching from Quilpie in the south west to Winton in the north of the State. The Regulator is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Mining Act 1992 and is working White Cliffs is known for seam opal which is usually white (milk) opal or crystal opal. Apr 20, 2023 · Chinchilla is a fascinating place! Start with a visit to the visitor info centre where you can get all the info you need on the town and the lovely staff will give you maps and a fossicking license if you don’t already have one. Gem Package - Guided underground mine experience including fossicking, tea/coffee, biscuits and guided town tour C. au in sapphire country /GlenInnesHighlands @gleninneshighland GlenInnesHighlands @GIHighlands Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre 02 6730 2400 tourism@gisc. Scratch Patch Gem Fossicking. Application for Class F mineral claim (prospecting outside opal prospecting block in Opal Prospecting Areas 1, 2 and 3) in the Lightning Ridge Mineral Claims District (section 178 of the Act) $180. Good quality Opal has been recovered at this site and consisted of opalised bivalves. We are all under the N. by sakura Hz https://soundcloud. Those outlying fields are more than double that again in area. Get up close to an array of beautiful gems at markets and opal stores, try your hand at fossicking and relax in artesian bore baths as you savour the outback wonders of this iconic town. The remote outback NSW town of White Cliffs is a 12-hour drive northwest of Sydney, or a 2. Depending on the color of the opal, how thick or thin it runs through the stone, will determine if the cutter will turn that piece of opal into a solid, doublet or triplet. The mining department has an office in the town center where visitors can get fossicking permits. Doggy day care, free fossicking area & swimming pool Opal Hunting Fossicking Map of Australia. This is a rough dry area 28km from Inverell, you can take your water or dry sieve. 3°. Opal Prospecting Licences do not authorise mining. Apply for a fossicking permit; Read the NSW Government's rules and guidelines for fossicking in New South Wales; View maps showing where you can and can't fossick in State forests; About fossicking. $20 p/night unpowered site for 2 people. Opal mining began in Lightning Ridge in the late 1800s and its century-old mines are still the source of many of Australia’s iridescent black opals. etc. These laws exist to ensure fossicking activity in NSW is conducted in a environmentally This means fossicking is prohibited without consent, which can be provided in a plan of management for a park, or, in the absence of a plan of management, in writing by a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Branch Director. Boulder opal is only found in Queensland, and it can be found in the mining belt that runs from Quilpie in the southwest to Winton in the north. Weather: Started very cold (5. " Together Graeme & Sacha, cut, polish and design, Opal jewellery from rough Opal directly from their family mine. It was founded in the late 1880s after a couple of stock hands found colourful rocks and sent them off to Adelaide to be analysed. The map below shows where you can find sapphires, opals, gold and crystals. nsw. blanket regulations for the Opal Mining Act. related to opal mining and Aboriginal occupation. Features: Opal mine, free entry to above ground opal and souvenir shop, fossicking, and DVD of opal history featuring Lightning Ridge. Fossicking is the small-scale search for, and collection of, minerals, gemstones or mineral-bearing material from the surface with hand-held Aug 17, 2016 · Describes the opal fossicking area in western Queensland, including roads, access, maps, geological notes and camping information. It was on a property called Boobora station. The enormous mineral deposits dispersed along the eastern margins of the Great Artesian Basin provide 95 per cent of global production. Lightning Ridge opal fields. Aug 22, 2019 · Tintenbar is the geographical name given to an area in north eastern NSW that encompasses a number of opal discoveries and opal fields within the surrounding areas. Club meetings from 9am on the first Saturday of each month Monthly fossicking field trips Weekly lapidary workshop sessions. Interesting to read about old opal mines in Queensland that still might have some opal if you want to do fossicking. Experience Jul 3, 2023 · Glen Innes, NSW. Naturally, you can choose your own special gem from our UNIQUE SHOWROOM – with stones produced from our own mines. ABN 20 377 425 512. Fossicking in NSW Mine rehabilitation Opal mining Environmental management and … Tailings storage facilities Resources Opal mining Opal prospecting takes place Tour an opal mine at The Big Opal and try your luck fossicking or visit the world-class underground Australian Opal Centre. Following consultation with stakeholders the NSW Resources Regulator developed a revised guide to fossicking in NSW to provide clarity of relevant legislation, with particular focus on the restrictions relating to permissible fossicking equipment. Opal jeweler Mark Anthony Hodges hosted us in his opal store on the main street. P: (+61) 2 6829 1667 E: contact@australianopalcentre. GPX file Latitude: -28. Glen Innes NSW 2370 Please follow us on Facebook: Glen Innes Mineral & Gem Club Inc. Hear how opal is formed, different types of opal and different ways of mining it. A unique and historic opal mining town in Outback NSW, Lightning Ridge is famed for its rare black opal, mining history and colourful locals. There are four significant opal mining settlements in Australia. These days, striking it rich is less of a possibility. The real deal outback opal mining experience from $130pp. 3 metres to 3. vi qt ko qs ix ac ug yj qj oh