AOC Australian Opal Tour 2026

22 - 30 September 2026

The AOC’s epic 2026 Australian Opal Tour is designed for those with a thirst for first-hand knowledge of Australian opal, its places and people — providing a unique opportunity to experience Australian opal and opal fields in three states, over nine days. See spectacular black opal in New South Wales, boulder opal in Queensland, crystal and light opal in South Australia, rare opalised fossils — priceless relics of the continent’s ancient heritage — and other unforgettable sights and experiences.

The AOC’s 2024 Australian Opal Tour was a stunning success, receiving rave reviews from tour participants from Australia, the United Kingdom and the US. The AOC Australian Opal Tour 2026 promises to be exceptional!

Enjoy outback landscapes, skies and opal mining communities. Feast your eyes on incredible opal gemstones and fossils. Soak up information from opal miners, cutters, gemmologists and palaeontologists with deep knowledge of opal.

This special tour hosted by the Australian Opal Centre (AOC) will depart from Sydney and includes charter aircraft, ground tours, meals and accommodation.

Stage 1 of an incredible new Australian Opal Centre facility is currently under construction, destined to become a world hub for opal knowledge, training, science, art and culture. Australian Opal Tour participants will gain special insights into this architecturally significant, partly subterranean facility.

The AOC has chartered aircraft to cover the vast distances between our outback opal fields. The unique itinerary provides both astonishing perspectives from the air, and maximum time on the ground.

Tour cost is $13,800 twin share, $700 single supplement. Cost includes flights ex-Sydney, ground transport, personal tour guide, expert-led tours, accommodation, experiences and meals. Participants only pay for drinks, personal shopping and an optional (highly recommended) meet & greet in Sydney the night before departure.

To claim your place, please complete and return a booking form. For additional information, please email register@australianopalcentre.com.

Prefer to chat? We’d love to speak with you - just send us your phone number and request a callback.

Places are strictly limited by aircraft seating, so please act early to avoid disappointment.

ITINERARY

Monday 21 September      Evening meet and greet in Sydney NSW (optional)

Tuesday 22 September         Fly Sydney to Lightning Ridge NSW

Wednesday 23 September     Lightning Ridge and surrounding opal fields

Thursday 24 September         Lightning Ridge and surrounding opal fields

Friday 25 September        Fly Lightning Ridge to Winton Qld

Saturday 26 September        Winton opal fields

Sunday 27 September         Fly Winton to Coober Pedy SA

Monday 28 September           Coober Pedy opal fields

Tuesday 29 September           Fly Coober Pedy to Andamooka SA; visit the opal fields

Wednesday 30 September      Fly Andamooka to Sydney NSW

Itineraries are subject to change due to weather or other conditions beyond our control. If necessary, appropriate alternatives will be provided.

Places are strictly limited and participants will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.