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ABOUT Opalton
Home of Queensland Boulder Opal, Opalton lies 124 kilometres from Winton. Opal was first discovered here by George Cragg in 1888 and the first mine was worked in 1894. By the end of the decade there was a bustling township of 600 and Opalton became known for the enormous volume and quality of its opal. In 1899 the largest piece of opal ever recorded was mined from Opalton, a pipe opal more than three metres long.
Now home to a much smaller community, Opalton boasts one shop where you are likely to meet all the locals when the mail is delivered every Thursday. Try your luck in the public fossicking area. There are camping facilities at the bush park and basic cabins are available.
Places to stay near Opalton
Mitchell Grass Retreat
Luxury Under Canvas. Opened in 2020, Mitchell Grass Retreat is a luxury glamping retreat based in Longreach, Outback Queensland.
MoreThe Lake Quilpie
The Lake Quilpie offers a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets.
MoreBailey Bar Caravan Park
This little tree lined park is a winter haven for many travellers looking for a homely stop over on their way to the north.
MoreArtesian Waters Caravan Park
Artesian Waters Caravan Park is a popular spot for opal fossickers and tourists alike. It is located in the heart of the Yowah opal fields,
MoreHotel Cunnamulla
Hotel Cunnamulla offers real country comfort with classic country hotel-style rooms with private ensuites.
MoreCunnamulla Tourist Park
The park is ideally located at the cross roads of the Matilda and Adventure Highways and is the perfect spot to base yourself.
MoreCharlotte Plains
Charlotte Plains is a family-owned and operated sheep station near Cunnamulla Queensland!
MoreMaree’s Farmstay
Maree’s Farmstay is an Airbnb Farmstay on a Brahman cattle station situated right beside Mount Moffatt Carnarvon National Park.
MoreKarumba Point Holiday Tourist Park
Karumba Point Tourist Park is a popular destination for travellers wanting to experience all that the Gulf of Carpentaria has to offer, with the beach,
MoreThings to see and do near Opalton
Inside the heritage listed Corfield and Fitzmaurice building awaits one of the nation’s most comprehensive displays of Australian Dinosaur fossils.
Corfield and Fitzmaurice Building
The Whitula Gate Museum is based around an original slab hut built by the Rabbit Board in 1906 as a boundary riders’ hut.
Whitula Gate Museum
When travelling the Overlanders Way, between Townsville and Mount Isa, the Jack Brown Lions Park at Richmond presents itself as a halfway stopover.
Jack Brown Lions Park
Unlock your inner-palaeontologist and explore Australia’s ancient marine past at Richmond’s Free Fossil Hunting Sites.
Richmond Fossil Hunting Sites
Wander through the Bush Tucker Garden and be educated on the regions native plants and their traditional purposes.
Bush Tucker Garden
Redbank Park is loated on the banks of the Jordan River just east of Jericho.
Redbank Park, Jericho
Beat the heat and relax at the Quilpie Swimming Pool Complex. There is a children’s wading pool and kiosk available for your convenience.
Quilpie Memorial Swimming Pool
The Hydro Power Plant is the first in Australia and third in the World! Thargomindah was the first town to have reticulated Artesian Bore water.
Hydro Power Plant
Leahy House is a Historical house open to the public 7 days a week to view how life was lived in 1890’s Thargomindah.
Leahy Historical House
Step back in time where everyday early outback life is on display at Morven Historical Museum.
Morven Historical Museum
Today, Saddliers Waterhole and Hamburg Creek are a traveller’s oasis.
Saddliers Waterhole and Hamburg Creek
While at Opalton why not try these Tours
Outback Pioneers
Outback Pioneers’ award-winning outback tours and experiences, based in Longreach, is all about holidays and experiences that bring the pioneer past to life.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Day Tours
Outback Aussie Tours is a family-owned local operator with over 35 years of experience and unrivalled local Outback Queensland knowledge, passion and connections.
MoreOutback Aussie Tours – Outback Rail Adventure Day Tours
The Outback Rail Adventure is Outback Aussie Tours’ newest tourism experience reconnecting our visitors with the romance of rail.
MoreEromanga Natural History Museum
The Eromanga Natural History Museum is committed to discovering, conserving and showcasing the fossil, natural and cultural heritage from the prehistoric and modern-day environments.
MoreNorth West Tours
North West Tours specialise in small group tours around Mount Isa and beyond.
MoreDingo Trax – Birdsville and Outback Queensland
Whether you are a seasoned 4WD enthusiast or completely new to it all, Dingo Trax have your back!
MoreCharleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’
Discover stars, WWII secrets and bilbies for starters on Charleville’s ‘Magnificent 7’ day tour in Outback Queensland. Morning tea, lunch and transfers included.
MoreWWII Secret Tag-A-Long Tour – Charleville
Discover why over 3500 United States Army Air Force personnel were stationed in Charleville during World War II.
MoreCobbold Gorge Tours
Deep in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region of Far North Queensland is a hidden outback oasis – Cobbold Gorge.
MoreDiscovery Experiences – Undara
Only 3½ hours drive from Cairns and four hours from Townsville in Tropical North Queensland, you’ll discover a land so different in contrasts…. Undara.
MoreYagurli Tours
Yagurli Tours is an Indigenous owned business operated by the Gangalidda and Garawa Peoples.
MoreBalloon Aloft Burketown
Balloon Aloft is partnering with Yagurli Tours for a hot air balloon experience with a difference this June to September.
More