Fossick for Opals.
Gem of a holiday, Camping in the Bush Park at Opalton.
Search for opal, by Noodling. Patience and a good eyes.
Opalton, Queensland’s Capital of Boulder Opal.
Offers visitors the opportunity to fossick for opals.
Finding a bit of Sparkle in a rock and then making something from it is very rewarding. Opal is Beautiful
Boulder Opal From Opalton in Queensland.
Boulder Opal
Boulder opal is the second most prized form of opal, after black opal. The name derives from the fact that boulder opal is found embedded in ironstone boulders. The opal usually forms as thin veins within these boulders, and most stones are cut to include some of the host ironstone matrix. Boulder opal is sometimes referred to as opal in matrix for this reason. Boulder opal is especially attractive because, like the black opal, it has a dark body tone which adds vibrancy to the play of colour. Boulder opal also has a higher density because of the ironstone content, and can be more durable as well.
Opalton is 120kl From Winton
Boulder Opal is found at Opalton. Opalton is about 120 kl From Winton. The road is a dirt road is pretty good. You have to watch out for the animals crossing the road.There is a bush Park at Opalton, they like people to camp there. Toilets and shower .
Opalton is a Small place, People do live there, that have got claims. Such a very friendly place to visit. Most of the claim sites are, tin shacks and caravans. When you dive to Opalton from Winton which is 120kl, it is a dirt road, yes you would be able to drive a normal car there, the first thing you come to, is the sign for Opalton. A little ways up, you will see buildings on your left. Kept going and on your right you will see a sign saying bushpark. This is where you camp, it has toilets and showers. Hot water if you light the donkey. Cost in May 2016 was $2.50 each per night. When you set up camp the locals come down and talk to visitor., very friendly people.
Flys.
Lots and lots of flies, make sure you have cream and a fly net.
Opalton is the centre of the largest and most extensively worked opal deposits in Australia. The opal fields are within a belt of deeply weathered cretaceous rocks known as the Winton Formation and they mainly produce ‘Boulder Opal’ – the second most valuable opal after the Black Opal.
Opalton Discovered.
The field was discovered in 1888 by George Cragg, a stockman from Warrnambool Station. The first claims were worked in 1894 and the township was started in 1895 following a rush to the region. By the end of the century the township was supporting about 600 people and the usual commercial activities were established including two hotels, stores, blacksmith and saddler’s shops, as well as a police station and telegraph office.
Working Claims.
Now days there is a hand full of people working claims out at Opalton. One claim owner has been moving a lot off dirt, and has not seen any colour for 6 months, ask why, you never know what tomorrow will bring, plus once you see the colours of opal, it is addictive,
Opal Fever.
When visitor go to Opalton they fossick in dirt piles around the camping grounds, or ask the locals where to go. Just remember these people are very helpful and go out of there way for visitors. Ask if they, have opal for sale, support these people.
Fossicking Licence.
Opalton, Queensland’s Capital of Boulder Opal, also offers visitors the opportunity to fossick for opals. You do have to have a fossicking licence, they are only around $10 for a month. Most tourist shop have them or go online to buy one.
Spray Water Bottle.
Fossick through the piles of dirt at Opalton, To see Opal easy it is a good idea to have a spray water bottle on hand, when you see a flash of colour, spray water the brilliant colours shine , just makes you want to find more. So So Pretty.
Looking for Opal
It Is rugged, in the Australian out back.
Dirt tracks every where, it is a good idea to have a navigator, to leave sail tracks so you can get back to where you come from.
Some places like Opalton have tracks go every where.
Equipment For Noodling.
Equipment for Noodling, The only equipment you require is a small pick ( a prospector’s pick is ideal). Patience and a good eye. Another item is your spray bottle of water, and a container to put what you find in.
When it Rains.
If it rains you don’t go anywhere, even to leave your camp to go for a walk is a big effort, Mud. Off cause you have some people just because they have a 4 wheel drive they can go through the mud, they just wreck the roads. Stupid.
No Phone Coverage.
There is no phones coverage. If you can afford a satellite phone is great. The locals have phone lines and TV’s. Batteries, Generators, Solar Panels .They Just have got a great life style. Nothing to spend money on. Once they have set up camp.
This is our third time back to Opalton. Why? Because of the Opal you find , and there is not any digging, Peace and quite. Love Opal and Love Opalton
The Opal.
Born in the dark and depths of time,
Taking Millions of years to form,
Coloured with silicon rainbows fine
Lies the opal with Heart so warm.
Entombed in beds of hardest clay
Many a foot from the top,
It’s very hard work, the miners say,
But the prize is the best of the lot.
The pick rings out on the hard, white bed,
The hope rise high in the miner’s breast,
The sparks fly off past the miner’s head
And a river of light is exposed to the test.
He holds the candle close to the vein,
Red, Green, Yellow and flash bright,
Now taken from mother earth where it has lain
Treasured by mankind, born to the light.
This was Written By.
Michael Lynn (at the age of 14 years).
Need more information about Opalton . Please leave me a comment. and I will get back to you soon.
I fossick on the surface when we go to Opalton , I do have some stone for sale, it is pot luck, if you find opal in the stone, most stone show signs of opal. Postage will cost more than the stone. Contact me.
Have A great day.
Wendy
Opal stones I have for sale. Postage is extra.
