Welcome to the Queensland Boulder Opal Association website.
The Queensland Boulder Opal Association Incorporated (QBOA) plays a crucial role in representing opal miners and industry members. By providing a unified voice, the QBOA can advocate for the interests of its members and promote the sustainable growth of the opal mining industry. This collective effort helps to address common challenges, share knowledge, and work towards a more prosperous future for all involved in the opal industry.

Winton 150 year Celebrations
Sunday 6 April – Sunday 13 April 2025
Winton is celebrating its 150 year anniversary this year with the weekend Friday 11 April – Sunday 13 April hosting our main celebrations.
Queen of Gems Jewellery Design Awards
The Queen of Gems Design Awards held its inaugural ceremony in 2006 as an initiative of Winton local business owner Mary Pearce. Entrants from across Australia showcase the Queensland boulder opal in all its splendour and the creativity of their design and manufacture. Since then, the annual competition has increased to receive entries from Australia-wide and internationally. New categories have been included, such as Wearable fashion, Objects & Art, and the new jewellery designers using CAD/CAST/CAM. Everyone is welcome to enter, from beginners to professionals.
BLOG
Latest News
Winton 150 Year Celebration
Join us in Winton Sunday, April 6, 2025 for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of 150 years of history, community, and progress. The Winton 150 Year Celebration honour the town’s rich heritage while embracing its vibrant future with a packed weekend of events for all ages.| More Info Join us in Winton in April, 2025 for a once-in-a-lifetime …Major land acquisition
Queensland opal mining hangs in the balance after major land acquisition ABC Western Qld / By Hannah Walsh and Grace Nakamura Posted Yesterday at 9:42pm, updated 23h ago At Vergemont, a former cattle station larger than the Australian Capital Territory, the 57-year-old uses a hand pick to uncover dazzling slivers of rainbow rock. https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104251916
ABOUT US
The Queensland Opal Association’s (QBOA) function is to ensure that legislative and regulatory bodies controlling the industry have appropriate policies that are suitable to the needs of the industry and the promotion of this rare, unique product, Queensland’s Boulder Opal.

Opal is Australia’s National Gemstone
The Queensland Boulder Opal Association Inc. (QBOA) is an industry body that represents Opal Miners and QBOA’s members.