Cities & Towns – ‘White Cliffs’ – written by Carla Clark
White Cliffs shines from the air like the surface of the moon. Located in far North West New South Wales, the town was built around opal mines and made famous by its underground accommodation. Like the tip of the iceberg, the pub is dusty and lonely and the town is spread in every direction, the attempts at civilisation simplistic yet adequate. The sprawling town is deceiving, each building that appears on the surface, hides more underground.
The accommodation is unique, with sprawling underground homes replete with décor fit for the occasion. Make a choice from Luxurious Bed & Breakfast style retreats or original 70′s retro styled rooms. The residents of White Cliffs have found a way to showcase the unique region through accommodation options.
The opal mines have produced a gradual source of income for White Cliffs beginning in 1889 and still continues today. The peak production year was 1967 with $150 million worth of Opal found that year. The permanent population today is 200, but come wintertime when the days are cooler, but the sun still beams down, the population grows to 500 as gem-seekers strive to find a lucky stone.
White Cliffs has endured through the years. At times there were only a few residents, but workers and owners at nearby properties helped the Pub and General Store stay afloat, keeping the memories of this rare town alive.
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