Andamooka Opal Fields

Deep in South Australia's outback a short drive from Roxby Downs, this weathered opal town lets visitors noodle through the spoil heaps left by generations of miners, hunting the distinctive Andamooka matrix opal and the rarer crystal opal. A public fossicking heap sits beside the camping ground, and advice and equipment can be found at the Post Office opal museum. Searching by hand is fine so long as you stay clear of the pegged, registered claims marked out by corner posts.