Still in Lightning Ridge Phill chats with Barbara from the Lightning Ridge Opal Centre. Barbara takes us through some of the interesting things featured, there are also fossils and bones of dinosaurs on display. The Australian Opal Centre houses the world’s leading collection of opalized fossils and is building a magnificent collection of precious opal, cultural artefacts, artworks, photographs, archival and research materials. Currently in progress is a new two storey building.

The complex will contain magnificent permanent exhibitions, education and learning facilities, a cinema, gallery spaces, a spectacular opal vault, research library, scientific laboratory and underground gardens.

100 metres long and two storeys deep, the Australian Opal Centre building will use a combination of ancient and cutting-edge modern technologies to provide its own energy, water, light and fresh air – without being connected to mains power or water. Checkout the website for more information.

http://www.australianopalcentre.com

Our first stop on the trip is the Down to Earth Opals. We take the time to chat with Vicki and Andrew about their time here. Vicki is an opal wholesaler and retailer, gemmologist, registered opal valuer and designer of opal jewellery.  Andrew polish and shapes the gems and has won many awards. Check out their website https://www.downtoearthopals.com.au/

We have a great show this week. We are in Lightning Ridge meeting and chatting with some great people we have met. First up Phill is chatting with Mark.

We met Mark and his family who have made their own camper complete with roof top tent. Mark is a carpenter by trade who also has welding skills. The main body of the van holds the kitchen and storage and the sleeping is in the roof top tent. Here his story via the podcast.