Kangaroo Kelly says

Many years ago, I had flown to Broken Hill from Sydney, then 4wdrived it to White Cliffs via Wilcannia. Some of the sights to be seen on this trip are embedded in my memory. I arrived in Wilcannia at about 9:30am to see about 10 Australian aborigines squatting in front of the hotel's corrugated iron fence, getting warm from the early morning sun while waiting for the "pub" to open at 10am.

Upon my arrival in White Cliffs, I discovered a movie being produced about a wild boar. The actor was Gregory Harrison. That was quite a shock to find such "goings on" in the middle of nowhere! After spending the night in the rough & ready hotel, I was treated to a really good old fashioned outback breakfast before wandering outside the front entrance to see a number of derelict hermit opal miners hanging about the hotel front, again waiting for the hotel to open at 10am. The liquor licencing laws did not allow hotels to open before 10am causing the thirsty miners to congregate about the hotel as it is obvious that many were alcoholics and desperate for a drink by that time in the morning.

Would you believe it, I was offered and purchased more than a pocketful of good quality opal from these desperados who were only to keen to make a cash sale to afford the cost of a drink or two or more. 

Even more remarkable was the fact that my ill-gotten opals were valued at more than a return flight and a relaxing holiday anywhere in the world. I can tell you that if you buy right, know your opals and with a little bit of luck, you too have the opportunity to recoup the cost of your entire Australian holiday from the purchase of White Cliffs opal.

White Cliffs is not the opal producer as is Coober Pedy; nor is it as well known. Nor is it so difficult to make a profit on your opal purchases although these days, the market is more competitive than in days gone by.

See the Fairfax Walkabout Australian Holiday guide link to find comprehensive information about White Cliffs