History of the Opal Fields

The Grawin was established in 1908 with the discovery of the opal at “Hammond Hill”. Further discoveries in 1920 at “Richards Hill” put the unofficial village on the map. It was at Grawin that the largest opal ‘Light of the World’ was found in 1928. Since the first discovery of opal in the region, people have come and gone in tides with each new strike, seeking their fortune in search of the rainbow in the rock .

It is believed that a field at Grawin was discovered in 1905, but it wasnt until the 1970’s became a major field in its own right.

The Mulga Rush, which began in 2000, is the biggest opal rush since the Coocoran was discovered in the early 1900’s.

The Gaurle Wali was established as a camp for school students in crisis situations, students learn all manner of things including local history, plants and wildlife, bush cooking, drama and celestial bodies.

The Sheepyard area was named after a fin of opal near the fence of the old Sheepayards.