Description

The Yowah opal field, which includes the nearby area known as Black Gate, is the southernmost opal mining centre of western Queensland; it is popular with tourists and fossickers as it has easy access from main roads and has shops, fuel, telephone, a caravan park and permanent bore water supply. A fossicking licence is required in Queensland. A feature of the Yowah field is the occurrence of precious opal in siliceous ironstone nodules generally referred to as Yowah Nuts. These nuts range from about 5mm to 200mm across, have a spherical or ellipsoidal shape, and show alternate concentric rings or bands of light- and dark-brown siliceous ironstone. There is sometimes a kernel of precious opal, which is the main source of the gem. From Quilpie, drive 110km through Toompine to the Eulo/Yowah turn-off. Turn left and follow for about 56km to the Yowah turn-off, and then continue the further 23km as above. Camping is prohibited. There is accommodation available in the town of Yowah.