About Outback Opal Hunters

Outback Opal Hunters is a thrilling reality television series that first aired in 2017 on Discovery Channel. The show centers on crews across Australia who are driven by a singular goal: unearthing a fortune in opals. Set against a backdrop of harsh terrains, the series showcase the extreme lengths these individuals go through, taking on both physical hardships and financial risks, in the pursuit of finding opal – a gem more valuable than gold.

Making / Production

The series is produced by Electric Pictures, a production company based in Western Australia. Its stark, semi-arid landscape setting coupled with use of high-end cameras result in visually stunning shots that beautifully capture the some of the world's harshest terrains. Behind this series, a crew of skilled professionals works tirelessly, filming intense and nail-biting scenes in extremely remote areas.

Actors

• Peter Cooke: A veteran opal miner, Peter plays himself in the series. He exemplifies integrity and determination in his never-ending quest to find opals.
• Sam West: Also appearing as himself, Sam brings his adventurous spirit and unwavering resilience to the table, making him a captivating character to watch.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series spotlights one of the only places in the world where black opal is found - Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia.
• Opal is Australia's national gemstone. More than 90% of the world's opals come from Australia.
• The search for opal is often a perilous pursuit, as the mining process can sometimes lead to severe tunnel collapses.

Awards

The series, while highly recommended by its viewers for its blend of adventure and tension, has not yet received any major television awards.

Quotes

• "There's one thing about opal, it's unpredictable." - Peter Cooke
• "It's searching for that elusive gem, that's what keeps us going." - Sam West

Music, Soundtrack

• The show employs a blend of suspenseful and dramatic music to keep viewers on edge as the Miners dig towards potential discovery.
• Notable pieces include "Underground Blues" and "Miners Lament" reflecting the anticipation and hardships the opal hunters face.