The Boulder Opal is Australia's National Gem Stone .. Opal mines in the small town of Opalton are a popular tourist spot for Winton's Tourists .. an unforgettable experience. Opalton is situated 123 kilo meters from Winton in Queensland's Outback .. Opal was first discovered in 1888 by George Cragg .. a stockman from Warrnambool Station .. the first mine was worked in 1894. The township of Opalton began in 1895 .. by the end of the decade there was a bustling township of 600 .. Opalton became known for the enormous volume and quality of its opals .. it was the largest pipe opal field in Australia. In 1899 the largest piece of precious opal ever recorded in the world was discovered .. a pipe opal over 10 foot long and as thick as a mans leg. Eventually by the end of World War 1 Opalton became a ghost town due to drought. The last pub was sold to Warrnambool Station to use as a Shearing Shed. Opalton gained new life in the 1960s .. and now an average of 20 people live there during the cooler months and work thier mines. Fossicking in Opalton .. once known as tent city during the rush that bought thousands of Chinese and Europeans to the town .. is now a restricted mining area allowing only hand mining and fossicking. Today little remains of the town that once was .. and all that is left has been protected. Tours can be organized from our tour desk. More detailed information about the town of Opalton!