Opals

[Lonedaddy]

What ports/shops are good to buy duty free opal jewelry at?  

[The_Big_M]

Any Australian port will have good availability of jewellery shops with opals. There aren't any 'chain stores' for that, so it depends what city you're going to and what you're looking for. Also, the duty free shops at any major AU airports will have them.

 

Price wise there's no significant difference duty free or non, as the best price will come down to the saving and potentially the distinctiveness of what you're selecting rather than saving on GST (plus you can get GST back in any case for larger purchases) so base your purchase on when you find what you're looking for.

[Lonedaddy]

3 hours ago, The_Big_M said:

Any Australian port will have good availability of jewellery shops with opals. There aren't any 'chain stores' for that, so it depends what city you're going to and what you're looking for. Also, the duty free shops at any major AU airports will have them.

 

Price wise there's no significant difference duty free or non, as the best price will come down to the saving and potentially the distinctiveness of what you're selecting rather than saving on GST (plus you can get GST back in any case for larger purchases) so base your purchase on when you find what you're looking for.

Thanks we will be in burnie Melbourne Sydney Brisbane cairns Darwin and some smaller ports.  Based on what you are saying we should find something in the big cities.

 

 

[The_Big_M]

Yes, while you can get them in all those cities, Melbourne and Sydney particularly, and Brisbane as well, will be your best options. 

 

For example, here is one shop that specialises in them in Sydney (and Melbourne), that has been there for years:

The National Opal Collection | Opal Sales Showroom

 

There are other options too, that may be more convenient to where you'll be.

[possum52]

If I remember correctly, there was a pop up opal store at the Darwin Cruise ship terminal when we last visited pre-covid.

[Lonedaddy]

11 hours ago, possum52 said:

If I remember correctly, there was a pop up opal store at the Darwin Cruise ship terminal when we last visited pre-covid.

I hope I find what we want as Darwin is our last stop.  saw some cool shows on youtube about the opal mining and cutting.

[possum52]

12 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

I hope I find what we want as Darwin is our last stop.  saw some cool shows on youtube about the opal mining and cutting.

As Darwin is your last port, I would suggest you look in either Melbourne or Sydney for opals. Brisbane and Cairns will also have opals. 

[Lonedaddy]

We did find a pair of earrings in Sydney not the best quality picture but they were very nice .