Boulder opal

An unique Australian opal

Boulder opal is simply opal and rock. It appears as "seam" and matrix opals. This kind of precious opal forms on ironstone boulders, hence the name.

The opal veins and layers in the ironstone are usually so thin that boulder opal needs to remain on its ironstone host. The stone forms a natural backing. Don't confuse that with opal doublets, which are man-made.

Don't think that boulder opals have no value. On the contrary! They come second after black opal in the ranking of Australia's precious opals. Due to the dark ironstone backing these opals have a dark body tone and a vibrancy of colours similar to black opal.

First discovered on a station south of Quilpie in 1872, boulder opals are found in a belt stretching from Quilpie to Winton. They are only found in Outback Queensland.

Opal mining fields in Queensland

Winton - The town is home of Waltzing Matilda, but also home of boulder matrix, a rare form of opal. Small streams of opal run throughout the ironstone and form interesting stones.

Opalton - The first opal was discovered in 1894, and Opalton soon became a bustling township. In 1899 the largest piece of opal, a pipe opal more than 3 metres long, was mined here. Today the township is much smaller. Try your luck in the public fossicking area. Meet the locals in the shop on any Thursday when they are waiting for their mail.
A campground and basic cabins are available.

Yowah - is famous for the Yowah Opal Nut and the Ironstone Matrix Opal, an Australian opal type found only in this part of Queensland.
Yowah is situated half-way between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah in south west Queensland. It is an unique and dusty place. You can be sure that not too many tourists drop in here.

Quilpie - on the bank of the Bullo river is the largest producer of boulder opal in Queensland. The town is not as famous as Coober Pedy in South Australia, and it has not the rough flair you would expect from an opal mining town.

If you love the multi-coloured precious opal stones, don't forget to visit the opal shops in any opal town to see (and buy) beautiful opal jewellery. Opal is an unique Australian gemstone and a wonderful souvenir. Don't worry, small pendants are quite affordable.

Visit the Opal Stop to view interesting photos from inside an opal mine. They also offer a wide range of beautiful opal jewellery to purchase.

When is the best time to visit the opal fields?

As already said on the Australian opal page, April to late September is the best time for a trip to the opal fields. It is getting "bloody" hot in summer out there. The Australian climate page gives you an idea about temperatures in the Australian Outback.

It is really a lovely drive from Winton down to Quilpie and Yowah. Take your time, and enjoy this true Outback experience.