Opal Evolution Andamooka

17/06/2026

🌧️ Kokatha and Arid Recovery Open Day Postponed 🌧️

Due to forecast rain this week, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Arid Recovery and Kokatha Open Day scheduled for this Saturday 20 June.

With forecasts predicting 8–20 mm of rain on Wednesday, access to the Reserve is likely to be impacted.

We're incredibly disappointed. A huge amount of work has gone into planning the day, and we were looking forward to welcoming the community to celebrate culture and conservation.

That said, it's hard to be too upset about rain in the outback.

Thank you to everyone who was planning to attend, volunteer, perform, host a stall or support the event. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you when we dry out.

Kokatha Bugs n Slugs Andamooka Observatory BHP South Australia SA Arid Lands Landscape Board Rotary Club of Roxby District

17/06/2026

12/06/2026

Join Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize artists Jasper Goldney and Connor Feltus for an evening of science and artistry 🦋

📅 Thursday 2 July
🕠 6pm to 8:30pm
📍 South Australian Museum

Create a beautiful entomology-based artwork as these two metalsmiths reveal how to craft mundane metal into a beautiful butterfly or marvellous moth, supported with academic insights by Museum entomologists.

12/06/2026

10/06/2026

The outback is looking the best it has in years and Coober Pedy is making the most of it.

Fireworks, live music, markets, speedway, drive-in movies and classic outback hospitality are all on the menu this weekend as the Coober Pedy Opal Festival rolls into town.

👇 Read the full story. Link in comments.
District Council Coober Pedy

10/06/2026

🌸 Desert Pea Garden Feature Competition 🌸
Be part of the Desert Pea Festival | 7 November 2026

Celebrate the iconic Sturt Desert Pea by getting creative and helping transform the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden into a vibrant display of community-made garden art!

We’re inviting local clubs, schools, families and community groups to take part by creating a Garden Feature inspired by the desert pea. We can’t wait to see colourful, imaginative pieces showcased throughout the garden on festival day.

✨ Your creation details:

Maximum size: up to 1 metre square
Display style: place directly on the ground, or attach to low garden posts so designs can cascade beautifully
Materials: natural materials only (e.g. crochet/knitted wool, cotton, felt, natural twine, etc.)

🏆 Categories & prizes awarded for “Most Spectacular and Creative”

Family entry
Club or Group entry
School entry

📌 What to include with your submission:

Entry category
Name of group/representative (including contact mobile number for winners)
Indicate whether you would like your piece:
DONATED to the Arid Lands Garden for future display, OR
Collected after the festival (or from the Garden Shop by Saturday 14 November 2026)

📍 Drop-off locations (by Friday 30 October 2026):

Arid Lands Gift Shop, Port Augusta
Stirling North Primary School Front Office (att: Ros Edwards)
Caritas College Front Office (att: Belinda McClure)
Yarta Purtli Art Gallery, Port Augusta (att: Christie Mitchell)

Be part of the event and celebrate creativity, community and the beauty of the desert pea.

08/06/2026

Great to see Leila Day Art & Opal and the Andamooka Observatory tours featured once again in the South Australian Tourism Commission’s "Celebrate the Simple Pleasures" campaign.
​This is the second year we've been included in the initiative, which highlights the unique craft, culture, and authentic stories across the state. (Side note: while the video clip is labeled as Coober Pedy, that’s actually Andamooka's One Tree Hill you're seeing!)

08/06/2026

ARID RECOVERY & KOKATHA OPEN DAY

Sharing this exciting community event happening soon on Kokatha Country at the Arid Recovery near Roxby Downs!

Come along for a relaxed, family-friendly open day celebrating culture, connection, and Country.

📅 Saturday 20 June 2026
🕑 2:00pm – 5:30pm
📍 Arid Recovery Reserve

There’s something for all ages to enjoy, with a fantastic line-up of hands-on activities and experiences.

And of course, a barbecue to enjoy while you connect, learn, and share time together on Country.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see the important conservation work happening at Arid Recovery while also celebrating Kokatha culture with the community.

07/06/2026

🎉 Save the Date – Coober Pedy Opal Festival 2026! 🎉

Mark your calendars! The 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 is coming up on 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟑 & 𝟏𝟒, and it’s shaping up to be another fantastic weekend for our community and visitors alike.

There’s plenty being planned behind the scenes, with 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 lined up across the three days. We’ll be announcing 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 over the coming weeks, so keep your eyes on this page for updates.

A huge 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 who help make the festival possible. Please remember to 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. We’ll be announcing 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝, so watch this space.

It’s one of the biggest weekends on the Coober Pedy calendar — 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐮𝐧, 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭.

👉 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
👉 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟐, 𝟏𝟑 & 𝟏𝟒.

We can’t wait to see everyone there! 🎶🎡✨

05/06/2026

Dive into Opal Mining Adventures this June Long Weekend ⛏ Ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of opal mining? Join us for a tour filled with excitement and discovery!

🔍 Uncover the mysteries of opal mining: Learn how to get started, where to go, and even how to secure your claim. Discover prime noodling spots and master the rules of the trade.

🦕 Immerse yourself in local history with captivating tales of Karkaroo, the juvenile Andamooka Plesiosaur, ancient cephalopods, and the Eromanga Sea. Encounter South Australia’s only known dinosaur, ‘Kakuru Kujani!

🕙 Tours are available daily at 10 am & 2 pm. Prices: Adults $65 / Kids: $35 / Kids under 5 are free. Experience a 2-hour adventure led by our expert local guides.

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: 0466265377

🌌 Looking for nighttime thrills? Don't miss our special school holiday evening tours! Join us at 6pm to witness the magic of UV black lighting for opal, indulge in stargazing with telescopes, and explore One Tree Hill under the starry sky.

🌠 Prices for our evening tours: Adults $75 / Kids: $45 / Kids under 5 are free. Enjoy another 2-hour escapade guided by our friendly locals.

📞 Remember, BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL! Secure your spot by calling us at 0466265377

The Andamooka Observatory has also been featured on ABC Back Roads with Heather Ewart Discovery Channel’s ‘Opal Hunters: Red Dirt Roadtrip’, CNN, NHK Japan, Swedish TV's Hårt väder, Channel 10’s ‘The Project’ Channel 9, SKY, Channel 7, Channel 10, Channel 9 News, ABC News, 5AA, social media, and radio.

Our tours provide the time and space for you to relax, learn about opal mining, observe the night skies, and soak up the elements.

We recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty, bringing water, insect repellant, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear

Tours include the use of LED UV flashlights, torches, microscopes, and telescopes.

We also offer customised and extended tours, private group tours, guided bus tours, and tag-along tours.

Make this June Long Weekend one to remember by delving into the treasures of opal mining. Book your tour now and embark on an opal adventure like no other! 💎✨

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: 0466265377