Brisbane
Opal Museum
The Brisbane Opal Museum is a world-class museum, dedicated to showcasing and preserving a collection one of the world’s largest publicly viewable collections of specimens.
Where anyone is welcome to learn about and admire Australia’s national gemstone.
Located in the heart of Windsor, only 10 minutes north of the CBD and 15 minutes south from the airport.
Please note that bus routes have recently changed - Please use the Translink App if commuting via public transport.
Discover this incredible gemstone in one of the many tour options.
Once you visit, you will learn why opal is Australia’s national gemstone.
Museum Tours
Discover the rich history of opal mining, the geology behind the opal formation, the opal mining techniques, and of course marvel at the many hundreds of incredible opal specimens from all over Australia and the world.
Guided Tour
Have one of our knowledgeable tour guides take you around the museum and share with you the history and collection of this wonderful gemstone.
There is one guided tour per day, every day (Monday - Sunday) starting at 1PM. Please arrive 10-15min before the tour starts.
The tour takes 30 - 45 minutes.
Ticket Prices:
$15 per person
Free for carers & children under 5
Walk-ins welcome, or if you would like to book, click here.
NOT for large groups. If you have more than 10 people in your group please see “large group tours” below.
NOT available public holidays
Self Guided Tour
Walk around the museum at your leisure.
You will have your own virtual tour guide with our 10'“ tablet which has over 30 videos explaining the displays and museum. The average tour time is 30min (up to 1hour+).
Ticket Prices:
$10 per person
Free for carers & children under 5
Available all day (although you may need to wait 15 minutes if you arrive soon after the guided tour starts at 1pm).
AVAILABLE public holidays
Opal Cutting Experience
Take your opal museum experience to the next level by choosing an opal that you can then watch be shaped and polished into a finished specimen before taking it home.
There is no need to book, however, there may be a waiting period of up to 30 minutes. Polishing time is dependent on stone size.
Available Wednesday - Friday between 10:30 am-2.30 pm.
Subject to availability Saturdays - please get in touch if you’re interested in booking an experience.
Prices:
$10 starting price per stone
$50 for 10-20 minutes of polishing
Large Group Tours
If you have more than 10 people in your group please make a booking. These tours operate on weekdays at 3 pm. Some exceptions are possible.
Booking Essential: To book please click here.
For inquiries and additional information please call: +61 7 3822 9566
When to visit the Museum and Jewellery shop
The museum and jewellery shop are under the same roof, however, the last entrance into the museum is available 30 minutes before the shop closes.
Jewellery Shop Hours
Monday to Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
10am - 5pm
10am - 4pm
10am - 3pm
Public holidays: Most public holidays are open. Please check out our Facebook/Instagram page for confirmation.
Museum Hours
Monday to Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
10am - 5pm
10am - 4pm
10am - 3pm
The last museum tour is thirty minutes before the closing hours.
Brisbane Opal Museum acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land.
We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging, and recognise the rich traditions and continuing creative cultures of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples of Australia.
In the Jewellery Shop
You will find the largest collection of solid (100% natural) opal jewellery pieces in Brisbane.
With years of experience in dealing opal jewellery and unset opals, serving both international tourists and locals, we know what our customers want.
- Quality product
- Knowledgeable friendly staff
- A large selection to choose from, and..
- A reassuring money-back guarantee/warranty policy that gives our customers peace of mind.
Opal formation
In Australia, there are 17 opal fields covering 3 states. The reason why Australia has opal is due to a series of unique congruent geological events, including the fact that over 100 million years ago most of central Australia was covered by a vast shallow inland sea….
Interviews With Opal Industry Friends
Blog
