Opal Miner for a Night

For one night, you're not watching miners: you are one. Step onto Dan Measey's crew for a genuine night dig on freshly opened Coober Pedy opal ground. Known from Discovery's Outback Opal Hunters, Dan runs a real working claim, not a museum or staged attraction, and this is a hands-on shift beside him and his crew.

Meet before sunset for an opal briefing, then travel out to the claim. Walk straight into the open-cut mine (no ladders or winches), gear up and get shown the ground. The site is prepared in advance, so your time is spent digging on the level where the excavator has exposed never-seen-before opal-bearing ground. Hunt for colour with real mining tools: pick, jack pick and UV blacklight. As the desert cools, sweep the mine face under blacklight to reveal hidden colour.

Finding opal is never guaranteed, the ground decides what it gives up, but every guest takes home a special opal keepsake, and kids are guaranteed to find and keep a small opal.

The experience runs March to November and suits ages eight and up, with children accompanied by a responsible adult. Pickup from your accommodation is available on request.