White Cliffs

• Summary
• Weather for White Cliffs

Situated about 100km northwest of Wilcannia, White Cliffs is a famous opal mining settlement founded over 100 yrs ago - a town with true character.

To escape the summer heat, houses are built underground in mine shafts, where the temperature is a constant 23 degrees. The sun does have its uses - much of the town's electrical power now comes from a massive solar generation plant.

Once home to over 4000 hardy souls, White Cliffs offers visitors a glimpse of the tough early days of opal mining. Tour through dugout homes, opal showrooms and the historic opal fields which create a lunar landscape effect.

Visit the photographic gallery, have a drink at the local hotel, have a go at the dirt golf course or just enjoy the unique atmosphere of White Cliffs. Other points of interest include the Mutawintji and Paroo-Darling National Parks.

Shakespeare called opal the 'queen of gems'. The Roman historian, Pliny wrote that opal had the fire of the carbuncle, the brilliant purple of the amethyst and the sea- green colour of the emerald, all shining together in incredible union.

Things to see -

Peery Station, part of the Paroo Darling National Park - the ephemeral Peery and Poloko Lakes provide an important and significant wetland habitat.

Observe the Historic or National trust rated buildings including the Police Station c1897, Post Office and School c1900 and St Marys Church c1904.

Opal Shopping and Fossicking - buy from one of the local Opal dealers and take home some of the best Opals in the world... You can also dig for your own Opals with one of the local Tour Companies.