The city emerged in the late 19th century when hunters accidentally found opals in the White Cliffs area. While pursuing a kangaroo injured while hunting, a hunter picked up a stone that was presented to a jeweler who recognized it as an opal. Then the onslaught of the Opal treasure hunters began. The mining fields were later registered under the Gold Mining Act , because at the time the mines were founded, opals were not yet recognized as gemstones in Australia. A large part of the mining fields are exhausted and therefore only a few are still in operation.
In the opal fields of White Cliffs, people mainly live in caves that offer a temperate climate of around 23 ° C even when it is very hot. There are also underground motels, hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks and campsites.
A primary school has existed since 1895. In 1981, the first solar energy station in Australia was built in White Cliffs .
