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| Visit Pat - Purchase Opals - Fossicking Tours | |
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an
opal-hearted country |
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| You are now
travelling through the Australian Outback - a vast and ancient desert
stretching from the south of this island continent to the north. Your destination is
central Queensland - a remote area for travellers
but one that's close to the heart of Australians. Only 100km to the north is Winton,
the place where Banjo Paterson wrote "Waltzing Matilda", in 1895. |
| What has lured you
to this Australian wilderness, to endure the heat, the flies and a never-ending thirst for
a cold beer? Opal Fever! You're here in search of Queensland boulder opal - a
rare and beautiful gemstone; a kaleidoscope of colours variously dubbed an
"earth-bound rainbow", a "river of illusion" or "the gem of the
Never Never". |
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| As you arrive at
the Opalton Field - one of the largest opal deposits in Queensland - the temperature
soars. You stop your vehicle at an abandoned mine site, take a snapshot and wipe the
bug-encrusted windshield. A sheet of paper swirls past you. You snatch it up and smooth
its torn edges. It's a sitemap - worth keeping! |
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Out here on the
opal fields the living conditions are harsh. There's no drinking water, no fresh food, no
electricity and no authority. The gravel road into Opalton is called "Hopeful
Road". The route out is called "Sob Story Street" - a rueful reminder
that there's no sure method of detecting opal in the ground. This is tough,
back-breaking country where everything - including the mining - has to be done
manually. But for the hardy few who live here, the outback lifestyle is as precious
as the colour they find in the ground. |
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| Now it's time to explore or "noodle",
to use the Australian term for fossicking.
If you're new to this territory, you can follow
the well-worn track ahead. Begin by
click-starting the four wheel drive vehicle,
below. This route will lead you into Opalton,
with stops along the way to collect everything
you'll need to know about opals and opal mining.
Then there's a detour to Patricia (Pat)
Gregory's shack, where you can shop
for Australian opals at field prices or ask Pat
to take you fossicking around the Opalton fields
for either half day or full
day at a reasonable price. |
Fossicking tours of Opalton field
for a reasonable
price. |
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If you're a confident soul,
sure of your off-road abilities, you may choose to self-navigate. Check your
supplies of food and water, consult your sitemap and drive on! If you get
lost, stay with your vehicle and light a signal fire. Travel with Pat
through the outback. Good
luck! |
| next | location check - the big picture |
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