Our journey to the Australian Opal Awards and Lightning Ridge Opal Festival took us through two of Australia’s most iconic opal fields — White Cliffs and Grawin. We started with two nights in White Cliffs, soaking up the unique underground town atmosphere and meeting local miners and artists. From there, we headed across to Grawin for a full day guided by the legendary Peter “The Oracle” Taubers, who introduced us to some of the area’s most experienced opal miners and dealers.
Along the way, we enjoyed a classic outback session at both the Glengarry Hilton and the Sheepyard Inn.
The trip culminated at the Australian Opal Awards and Lightning Ridge Opal Festival, Australia’s largest opal and gemstone event — held at the Lightning Ridge Multipurpose Centre, right next to the large marquee off Agate Street. Inside was an incredible display of Australia’s most stunning opals and gems. Whether you’re a collector, jeweller, or simply curious, there’s something for everyone — from museum-grade stones to hand-carved treasures and wearable art.
