Australia So Much to See

Artist Ron Canlin has created many hundreds of carvings and painting on the soft sandstone walls and passageways over the past twenty years, and his passion continues as he is often seen working expanding the rooms and adding more carvings. The mine dates back over 100 years but it never proved rich in opals, however the richness of these creations surpasses even the beauty of a black opal. The sandstone is soft, yet there is no shoring up or reinforcement of walls and ceilings.

The main galleries are twelve metres below the surface, and are reached via a long flight of steps, however for those with mobility difficulties, there is a rickety two-man lift, in which visitors are taken one at a time by the guide.

A shop is placed at the start of the tour, and after purchasing tickets, visitors are free to take their time following the various passageways and in the caverns. On your return, you can purchase opals and opal jewellery at the unique underground shop.

The tours and shop are run as a separate business by a third party, while Ron Canlin himself just continues to make carvings.

The variety of subjects is very wide, covering many cultures and religions, politicians, actors and fiction characters, as well as many different animals. Some are painted while others are just the natural colours of the sandstone.

Religions and cultures are represented including these

A representation of The Creation of Adam, from the central and most well known of Michelangelo’s paintings on the roof on the Sistine Chapel, at the Vatican (above).

Christ on the cross (above) and the Archangel Gabriel (at left).

This carving of Buddha is outstanding.

The Egyptian room, including a full sized Sarcophagus (above left), is coloured including glistening gold, and features carvings and paintings, with a selection shown above and below.

More from the Chambers of the Black Hand on the following pages.