Outback Opal Hunters series for Discovery

Production is underway on a new Discovery Channel factual series for 2018, Outback Opal Hunters.

The series from Prospero Productions (Railroad Australia, Gallipoli’s Deep Secrets, Martin Clunes: Islands of Australia), follows crews of fearless opal miners on their quest to unearth a fortune in some of Australia’s harshest and remote landscapes.

Filming is currently underway in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as in opal mecca, Coober Pedy in South Australia.

“The opal hunt is not for the faint hearted. The risks are very real, both financially and physically, but the chance to uncover a massive bounty is what keeps miners hooked,” said Jonathan Rudd, VP Programming and Production, Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific. “Outback Opal Hunters will take viewers on a rollercoaster ride of hope and heartbreak as our crews put everything on the line to strike it rich.”

“Discovery is the home of extreme jobs with programs dedicated to some of the most dangerous and unique professions from around the world. Australia is internationally recognised as a hotbed for content of this nature and we’re excited to be adding opal mining to the mix.”

Australia produces more than 90% of the world’s opals. Hidden beneath outback desert plains lies a hidden bounty, 30 million years in the making, waiting to be discovered. Opals are one of the most valuable gemstones on the planet – one stone alone can fetch a million dollars – and it’s the dream of striking it rich that drives these crews to push their bodies and bank accounts to breaking point.