Visit Us
Looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast? Opals Down Under is one of the Sunshine Coast's premier tourist attractions, situated near the gorgeous coastal towns of Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Noosa. You'll see one of the finest selections of opals anywhere in Australia when you visit, but there's also lots of fun and educational activities for all the family to enjoy.
Watch a fascinating opal cutting demonstration, hunt for gemstones in our 'Scratch Patch' fossicking area, or simply take the time to learn about the world's most fascinating and beautiful gemstone, opal. There's so much to discover!
Opals Down Under is open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm (excluding Christmas day and Good Friday).
Features and activities
- A vast range of Australian opals and opal jewellery
- 'Scratch Patch' fun gem fossicking activity
- Opal cutting demonstrations - watch how opals are cut in our live showroom (please book ahead)
- A huge selection of Australian made gifts, souvenirs and gemstones
- See a fascinating DVD documentary on opal mining, cutting, and valuation
- Learn all about 'Australia's national gemstone' from one of our friendly staff members
Take Another Look
Situated on the Bruce Highway on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Opals Down Under has one of the finest selections of opals you’ll see anywhere in the world. This magnificent display of opals will have your jaw dropping, your eyes sparkling, and give you opal fever in no time! Opals are fresh, exciting, and fashionable - these amazing gemstones really are a timeless living rainbow right before your eyes. Opals Down Under specialises in all types of opal, including white opal, crystal opal, boulder opal, and the world famous black opal.
With over 45 years experience in professional opal mining, cutting, wholesale and retail, we are experts in Australian opal. You can rest assured in the knowledge that you are dealing with highly reputable opal specialists. We offer excellent value to our customers by purchasing rough opal directly from opal miners and cutting it on the premises.
At Opals Down Under, you can learn how opals are mined by watching a fascinating documentary, or watch opals go from 'Outback to Outstanding' as they are cut in person by our professional opal cutter. (Please book in advance). Watch as opals are transformed from rough rocks into beautiful gemstones in our opal cutting workshop.
Relax in our spacious, air conditioned showroom as you browse through a large selection of loose opals and opal jewellery to suit any budget. Opals make the perfect Australian gift, or maybe you just want to treat yourself!
Here you'll also find hundreds of Aussie souvenirs, gemstone specimens, Australian made gifts, Aboriginal craft, and glassware. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful staff will assist you in finding the perfect thing just for you. Take home a beautiful and unique piece of Australia!
Gem Fossicking
You can also have fun fossicking for gemstones in our 'Scratch Patch' gem fossicking areas. It's great fun for kids and adults alike! Fossick through thousands of different gemstones, where you can spend hours finding your very own collection, which of course includes opals. An excellent family activity from as little as $6.
Here are just a few of the different types of gemstones which can be found in the fossicking area;
- Boulder Opal
- Black Opal
- Malachite
- Agate
- Tiger Iron
- Rose Quartz
- Tiger Eye
- Hematite
- Petrified Wood
- Amethyst
- Chrysoprase
- Jasper
Download our Rock Chart (in PDF). These are given out with every visit to the Scratch Patch.
Anyone can purchase a gem fossicking container (Small - $6, Medium - $9, Large - $12, and Kid's Pack including a small tub, plus extra goodies - perfect for Birthday Parties - for $12) and collect as many gemstones as they can fit in their container, which they get to keep. You'll have heaps of fun and learn about gemstones at the same time - there is no time limit.
There is also a special 'Find the Gold Nugget' competition with a special prize for whoever finds the elusive nugget in either one of our Scratch Patches. Are you feeling lucky?
How to find us
We are situated on the Bruce Highway at Palmview on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Our address is 11 Ballantyne Court, Palmview. If you'd like to print your own map, you can find us on Google Maps.
Finding us is easy - just look for the Glenview-Palmview exit (Exit #190) on the Bruce Highway and follow the signs.
If you are travelling North (from Brisbane), take the first exit left after the Caloundra exit. If you are travelling South (towards Brisbane), exit left when you see Aussie World and follow the purple signs to Opals Down Under.
We are situated approximately twenty kilometres North of Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, and two kilometres South of Aussie World (the Ettamogah Pub).
Interactive map
Further details
- Free admission
- Open 9am - 5pm seven days a week (excluding Christmas day and Good Friday)
- Cold drinks are available for purchase
- Spacious, air conditioned showroom
- Wheelchair accessible
- Buses welcome (please book ahead for large numbers)
Things to do on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is an excellent holiday destination, in fact we think it's the most beautiful place in Australia. We'd love to have you visit! Opals Down Under is located at the following distances from coastal towns:
- Brisbane - 85km
- Caloundra - 13km
- Mooloolaba - 15km
- Maroochydore - 22km
- Noosa - 44km
We are also twenty minutes' from Australia Zoo, and five minutes from Aussie World. If you are planning a trip to our beautiful coast, here's a list of major Sunshine Coast attractions and activities within driving distance of Opals Down Under:
- Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo
- The Big Kart Track
- Aussie World
- Strawberry Fields
- Underwater World
- The Ginger Factory
- Nutworks
- The Bellingham Maze
- Top Shots
Information about the Sunshine Coast
Here are some very useful links if you're planning a trip to our beautiful area.
- Tourism Sunshine Coast
- Queensland-Holidays
- Caloundra Tourism
- Mooloolaba Tourism
- Maroochy Tourism
- Visit Noosa
- Travel Down Under Directory - Australia's largest online Travel directory.
- Book It Now - Australian Travel related website with information about accommodation, activities and other Australian travel information.
Accommodation on the Sunshine Coast
- Narrows Escape - Rainforest cottage, cabin and treehouse accommodation on the Maleny Montville Sunshine Coast Hinterland
- Amytis Gardens Retreat & Spa - 16 acres of "Peace & Tranquillity" in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.