What We Do

What We Do

The Australian Opal Centre aims to construct a new world hub for opal-focused activities, at the historic Three Mile opal field at Lightning Ridge.

Meanwhile, the Australian Opal Centre operates from four locations: a showroom and office in Morilla St, the AOC Black Opal Heritage Shed on the Three Mile field, a rented workshop/storage space and a further AOC-owned property, all at Lightning Ridge.

As a vibrant cultural institution and self-funded not-for-profit organisation, we are BUSY!

Our Activities

Manage a public exhibition space open to the public six days per week
Manage the world’s premier collection of rare opalised fossils and opal-related books and publications
Facilitate and participate in scientific research on collection items
Buy and sell merchandise
Develop AOC products for wholesale and retail distribution
Run educational and other public programs for visiting school, university and professional groups
Initiate and host exhibitions and cultural activities
Run fossil digs
Develop and run opal-related classes
Provide knowledge services and image resources to researchers, journalists, artists, writers, government agencies and professional bodies
Provide a fossil identification service for local residents and visitors
Support the activities of partner organisations
Lead and participate in the documentation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage
Run a membership program with over 800 financial members
Plan for and progress the new Australian Opal Centre building
Conduct fundraising activities to support current operations and help fund the new AOC building

There are many ways you can get involved with the Australian Opal Centre activities; read about some of them here.