There’s something about life in Yowah that brings an influx of winter residents and visitors.
Historically Yowah has been a mining area for opals since 1875 (circa). The Yowah opal nut in particular is world famous and highly desired by collectors as it is the only place in the world that opals are found in this type of formation. You can do some fossicking for opals in the fossicking area, being sure not to trespass onto any of the private opal claims.
Try to sink a ball at the 9-hole golf course, wind down at the thermal bore baths and then take a drive up to The Bluff to get a great view of the landscape – especially at sunset (please note that The Bluff is a working farm, please respect the owners land and stock).
There is also a game of bingo going on at the Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) on Friday mornings during tourist season. The RTC is open seven days a week April to October, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, and is as close to a mall as you will find in Yowah. The Centre has tourist information, local crafts for sale, a laundromat and is the home of the library, which is open Wednesday mornings. You can also hire gear here for fossicking. The RTC also houses a café in town called the Yowah Nut Cafe.
Other activities run by YOMCSI (Town Committee) are the opal markets, which are run during the tourist season on Saturdays at 10:00am, indoor bowls on Wednesday afternoons and a craft day on Tuesday mornings. Meals are served at the YOMCSI bar every Wednesday and Saturday night.
The Yowah Artesian Bore Baths Spa is open every day. Here you can relax and enjoy the two pools, with one being warmer than the other. A disability hoist makes the pools accessible to all.
One of the appealing aspects of Yowah is its shopping style. There are so many little shops hidden in among houses and sheds. You can just wander around town following signs (or flags) to little retail outlets in and among the houses. It’s all a bit higgledy piggledy which just adds to the fun and sense of adventure. You could spend the whole day walking around town gift shopping and find yourself in a blue or red bus, the back of a shed, a room in a house or in a train carriage as you browse among opals, jewellery, carved wood, paintings and pottery.
For opal enthusiasts and those just wishing to browse, Yowah’s annual opal festival will be held on the 18th-20th July 2025. Enjoy the stalls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with opals, jewellery and other goods in the local hall. And in true keeping with a festival, there will be live entertainment on the Friday and Saturday evenings, along with food stalls and a licensed bar throughout the three days. With a professional chef at the YOMCSI bar you won’t be disappointed with the three course meals served on Friday and Saturday night, so look for The Hungry Miner, everyone raves about the food! The music for the festival will be provided by the very popular Kerry Kennedy and his band and the MC for the festival will be the resident poet, Bushy. There will also be a display of rare opal.
Cunnamulla Fella Centre
Phone (within Australia) 07 4655 8470
The Yowah General Store and Caravan Park also has its version of the bore bath for the exclusive enjoyment of their guests. Normal baths sit in quaint little roofless beach houses so you can lie back and enjoy a view of the stars while you soak in the mineral-rich water.
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We are passionate about promoting the stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture of Outback Queensland. Our website is designed to provide you with all the essential information, insider tips, and exciting experiences to make your journey an unforgettable adventure.
