Tour from Adelaide to Roxby Downs and return.
This morning, we travel out to Andamooka and visit the opal fields with a tour to find out about the history of this opal mining town from its early beginnings to modern day, and then viewing The Andamooka Dukes Bottle house Motel was named after the unique Dukes Bottle house built from discarded beer bottles, returning back to the Roxby then lunch, with time to relax before dinner. (B D)
Opal was discovered in Coober Pedy in 1915 and the area is the main supplier to the world of this precious stone. To escape the extremes of heat and cold, most of the townsfolk choose to live underground. Our first stop for the day is the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum. "The Story of Opal" an eighteen-minute documentary, is shown in underground cinema. Permanent displays of fossils from the South Australia Museum and a breathtaking collection of some of the finest opals can also be found here. Time for lunch in Coober Pedy (own cost). After Lunch we visit Tom's Working Opal Mine, which has been around since '1988' having a one-hour tour with an experienced tour guide. The guide will demonstrate how to use the Tunnelling Machine, Auto-Bucket, Bosun Winch and Jack Hammers and see opal seams in the wall. We then visit The Big Winch then before making our way to the Breakaways. The locally named “Castle” or “Salt & Pepper” can be seen in an easterly direction with Panorama Hill situated in the middle. As the day goes by, the passing of the sun changes the desert colors, creating photogenic scenes that appear surreal. before returning to the motel. (B D)
We make our way via Wilmington, Wirrabara and Gladstone to the Clare Valley where we have time for lunch (included). After lunch we make our way home arriving at approx. 5.00pm (B L)