Destination Profile - Andamooka, South Australia
Situated 600 kilometres north of Adelaide and reached by bitumen via the townships of Woomera and Roxby Downs, this unique town of miner's homes and semi-dugouts nestles on a honeycomb of underground diggings in a field famous for the quality of its gemstones. In fact, Andamooka Opal adorned the hemline of the year 2001 "Opal Dress" worn by Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva; a breath taking beauty valued at AUD500,000 and housed at the South Australian Museum.
Andamooka opal fields were first discovered in 1930 by two drovers from Andamooka Station who saw flashes of brilliant colour on a hillside after a thunderstorm. Opal is still mined in close proximity of the town and extends out into 24 fields giving the area a fascinating moon-like appearance.
Andamooka is the only town in Australia where none of the streets are named and the main thoroughfare is built in a creek bed. The townspeople are from all nationalities and the township hosts a floating population of between 600-1000, depending on the season.
Andamooka is probably most famous for supplying the South Australian Government with an opal for Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. Opal specimens were sought from all over the South Australian opal fields to find the most spectacular. They settled on the Andamooka Opal (also known as The Queen's Opal).
Andamooka is also famous for the discovery of the stunning Addyman Plesiosaur. A fully opalised fossil discovered in 1968, now on display in the South Australian Museum.
Andamooka is derived from an Aboriginal name, meaning 'Large Waterhole'. It is located 600 kilometres north of Adelaide. The opal fields in and around Andamooka produce top gem, crystal, light opal and some dark opal.
This destination is part of the Unseen Centre Australian Adventure.
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