OF ALL the precious and semi-precious gemstones in the world, the opal is the one chosen as the official gemstone of Australia. Every Australian should have one!

Opals are also a perfect souvenir for international visitors. With shades of colour ranging from fiery reds to electric blues and vibrant greens, they can certainly make a fashion statement as well as being a special memento of your holiday.

At the Gem Gallery at Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands, Nick Probst, his wife Kay and family welcome you to the colourful world of opals, seven days a week.

The Gem Gallery is anything but a run-of-the-mill retail shop. For a start, the workshop isn’t tucked out the back but is the focal point of the establishment, so if there is cutting work going on when you arrive, you’ll have the chance to see opals being worked and get a few tips on what to look for when buying opals. Special demonstrations can be organised for groups – just book ahead so they know when you’re coming.

The Gem Gallery is really a family affair. Nick has brought to the opal business a knowledge of mining, cutting and setting. Kay does her own line of jewellery using natural gemstones and freshwater pearls in sterling silver settings. Their son David is a fully qualified jeweller who started in the business young because he loved the creativity involved in goldsmithing.

The fact that the work is done in-store gives the items more individuality and means greater choice for shoppers, who can choose their stone and setting individually and return later in the day for the finished product.

On weekends, you can have a substantial start to your day with “the works breakfast” at The Gem Gallery. On other days, relax over a cuppa from their coffee shop.

After four years of preparation, Nick and Kay are opening their special group accommodation property, Maroobie Creek Lodge Yungaburra, this year. This consists of the luxury lodge which has accommodation for 12 and a cottage which sleeps four. In this divine setting, people can participate in select group gatherings or specialty conferences. They can enjoy walks through pockets of rainforest and wander along the “platypus walkways” to see the unique Australian mammals that live in the river. The river is also home to turtles, water dragons and other wildlife, and the area is rewarding for birdwatchers.

The lodge itself is the last word in comfort. Originally built in the style of an African roundhouse about 30 years ago, it has been transformed, and the long wing extending from the main living area has six themed suites.

The master suite is named the Federation Suite and is decorated in the heritage style of the 1900s with the addition of a luxury two-person spa and a separate toilet. Other suites are decked out to reflect outback, plantation, railway, rainforest and lakeside themes. All have bathroom facilities including spas and have tea-making facilities.

For conferences, there’s a big screen TV, microphone system, fully equipped kitchen, barbecue facilities and seating for up to 30 people.

For groups wanting to book this luxury accommodation, transfers can be organised from Cairns Airport.