32 - Sunday, October 25, 1987 - North Shore News Travel Photo submitted THERE IS no one else about here on Antigua’s Runaway Beacli to lessen the enjoyment of the lone couple in the middle distance. AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE iscov LIFE AS an opal miner is similar to what life as a gold prospector must have been years ago; isolated and temporary, always looking for the big one. Australia is the largest producer of these beautiful, haunting gems: and mines over 95 per cent of the world’s opals in three distinct regions. Whether you're an opal lover, a history buff, or someone who would like an experience unlike any other, a visit to an Australian opal mine is a must. Many Australian mining towns are happy to show visitors their operations and are pleased to wel- come them into-their unique way of life. The opal mines are all located in the outback regions of South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, yet they are close enough to the major cities to allow the traveller convenient access, Coober Pedy, South Australia, the area where Mad Max III was filmed, is the world’s largest opal-producing centre. The ex- treme climate, the isolation of the area and the lack of available water necessitates the villagers to live in underground dwellings; hence the name Coober -Pedy, an aboriginal word meaning ‘‘white fella live in hole in the ground.” Visitors are often astonished at the comfortable. underground dwellings which are lavishly fur- nished and carefully decorated to create permanent homes. To get a taste of the life of an opal miner, visitors will want to try ‘noodling’? for themselves. The activity of looking for opal pieces in the white piles of waste rock left by the mining operation, or “noodling’’, is allowed without a permit as long as the permission of the registered claim. holder -has been attained. - Or, go to ‘the special under- ground mine operated especially for visitors to try ‘‘the real thing’’. For a small ‘‘participation’’ fee, visitors can mine their own opal to take home with them. Lightning Ridge, in New South Wales, where rare. and valuable “black opal’’ is found, is another r tne popular destination for visitors. Located 760 km_ northwest of Sydney, ii is easily accessible by rented car, or by four-day train and air tours, leaving from Sydney. The isolated community is a brilliant oasis of white*rock with red eucalyptus-covered landscape where kangaroos and emus are plentiful. Centred around the Diggers Rest Hotel, the small town (population 4,500) is a mecca of things to do, with underground opal showrooms, an art gallery, a bottle museum and walk-in and drive-in opal mines where the visitor can see mining and opal cutting in progress. Lightning Ridge also abounds in sporting, recreational and community activities in which the visitor is welcome to par- ticipate. Noodling is very popsxiar amongst the local children, the aboriginees of the area and visitors alike, but it does require a fossicker’s licence which can be obtained for a nominal fee from mining authorities. The licence permits the holder to noodle anywhere in New South Wales during a twelve-month period. Western Queenstand has an abundance of opal fields, the most popular and easily accessible field being the Yowah Opal Fields, just southwest of Charlesville, situated in the midst of a sheep station. Access to the station is best achieved through rented car, and visitors are advised to contact local police authorities before leaving for a trip through such remote areas. The fact that the miners in Queensland consider their life on the field to be temporary is ob- vious to the visitor; their lodgings consist of hastily built shacks, huts, tents, caravans and old ‘buses. Water is plentiful, and the weather is generally warm and comfortable. “With only {5 permanent miners, the population rarely goes above 100 and visitors will have no dif- ficulty meeting and socializing within the community. Between visits to the opal mines, the local hotel and the community centre, noodling and studying the fascinating flora and fauna, visitors will find their visit to Yowah fulfulling and most rewar- ding. Now you can havea 2-week Caribbean § Holiday from 0 : AOS ois : So who needs Hawaii? PUERTO ‘7 nights from $ 829.00 PLATA anv 14 nights from $ 829.60 includes return airfare from Vancouver, transfers, hotet accommodation . at the Hostal De Lora, 14 nights from $1,159.00 Includes return alrfare from Vancouver, transfers, hotel accommodation at the Hotel Montego Bay. Price Is the lowest avallable for January 1988 based 9n double occupancy and does not include service charges. Cost may vary with departure date andsome nights, dates, and hotels may be sold out. AIR CANADA () Aeroplan TOURAM The Frequent Flyer Programme The frequent flyer programme tkat gives you more out of your Touram Holiday CRUISES INCLUDING FREE AIRFARE FROM VANCOUVER DECEMBER 5, 1987 7 days from Single from $1,320 Aboard the Atlantic ® Largest outdoor deck * Built 1982 © 2 Pools © Gym ¢ Casino © World Class Entertainment hinerary: ® Fi. Lauderdale ® San juan © St. Thomas © St. Croix @ Nassau © Fr. Lauderdale JANUARY 11, 1988 10 days from $4950 cox Outside Stateroom Including: FREE AIRFARE Aboard the Atlantic Itinerary: © Ft. Lauderdale ® St. Thomas ® Montserrat Grenada ® Caracus © Fr, Lauderdale Regular Single Save from $200) $1750/couple $2825 |, MARCH 18, 1988 dc $4875 cos 10 day vacation from Aboard the Atlantic Inside Stateroom” htinerary:’ : © | night Ft. Lauderdale at the Hotel Pier 66 ¢ San Juan ® St. Thomas © Martinique © Barbados ® Antigua © Ft. Lauderdale INCLUDING FREE AIRFARE Single Save Regular from $1999 $1190/couple $2270 APRIL 9, 1988 Aboard the big, beautiful and brand new Homeric. Complete with ® Casino ® Pools # Entertainment Lounges © Spacious Decks © Elegant Cabins fom $1308 con Inside Stateroom INCLUDING FREE AIRFARE: Itinerary: . © Fr. Lauderdale ® San Juan © St. Thomas ® St. Croix © Nassau © Fr, Lauderdale Single Save Regular from $1550 $1040/couple $120 BCAA Travel ery) 908 Park Royal Mall South 922-3361 BCAA Travel Park Royal South Mall 922-3361 JAMAICA 7nightsfrom $ 889.00 put your waste on a diet RECYCLE i a rar ra