The home of the ‘black opal’, Lightning Ridge is a unique place, an historic opal mining town where people come to visit, with some deciding to stay. For the tourist, fossicking on the mullock heaps is a relaxing pastime and can sometimes be rewarding.

Fossicking / Noodling at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Fossicking / Noodling at Lighting Ridge, NSW

Whilst in Lightning Ridge, you can visit the working mines, see the wet puddling operation, that is used to separate opal ‘nobbies’ from the clay in which they are found or just relax and enjoy the activities in the town.

More information can be found on the visitNSW.com – Lightning Ridge.

Lighting Ridge, NSW
Lighting Ridge, NSW

Lightning Ridge – a place to inspire

Lightning Ridge, located in outback NSW on the world’s richest deposit of black opal, is a place that abounds with colourful characters, barrels of dreams, opportunity and experiences! A visit to this thriving outback community and the opal fields surrounding it will not disappoint. Lightning Ridge has something to inspire, attract and lure everyone!

There are many attractions which make Lightning Ridge unique and appealing for a holiday. With daytime winter temperatures of 12 – 22°C, Lightning Ridge is ideal for a warm winter getaway. Lightning Ridge attractions are as varied and unique as the colourful stone for which the miners are searching.

Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW

Some attractions include:

  • Chambers of the Black Hand — an amazing art gallery by Ron Canlin has created an amazing a unique experience in this underground shop. The first level is 11 metres underground with carved and painted sandstone walls and pillars.
  • Black Queen — Award-winning Black Queen: ‘Completely Surprising’ is a collection of intertwining stories weaved together and will take you on an amazing journey of discovery that intertwines museum and theatre together to create live, memorable and interactive performances that will leave you spellbound.
  • Bevan’s Cactus Nursery — is said to be the largest display of old and rare cactus in southern hemisphere, this garden is a labour of love and well worth a look!
  • Bottle House and Mining Museum — a unique structure and an intriguing example of innovative architecture. Originally a miner’s camp, the Bottle House was created in the 1960s and is home to an amazing collection of artefacts and other items of interest and made out of bottles from a tiny town called Hebel (which is just over the border in Queensland).
  •  John Murray’s Art Gallery — you will be intrigued. His unique sense of humour and outback palette combines beautifully into some stunning and colourful masterpieces.
  • Car Door Tours — The people of Lightning Ridge are well known for their ingenuity and creative solutions and nothing reflects these qualities better than the aptly named Car Door Tours! These quirky journeys are Lightning Ridge’s answer to ‘self drive’ tours and are a great way to start your visit to The Ridge. Four tours are demarcated by colour coded and numbered car doors. Strung in trees and leaning in easily seen places, the car doors will lead you to some of the Ridge’s greatest attractions. You will find Charlie Nettleton’s first hand sunk shaft at the end of the green car door tour, take your cheese and nibbles and stop for the sunset at this great ridge location! On the red car door tour you will find Amigo’s Castle and the Astronomers Monument. These monumental constructions are a testament to Lightning Ridge’s self taught architects and builders, be sure to keep an eye out on the fields for all the other unique homes. More info on visitNSW Lightning Ridge Car Door Tours

There are also some mine tours, check out the visitNSW Outback Opal Tours.

Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Demonstration of preparing opals at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Sorting, cutting and polishing opals at Lightning Ridge NSW
View up to the surface from within the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
View up to the surface from within the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
View up to the surface from within the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
View up to the surface from within the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour of the mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW
Tour through an opal mine in Lightning Ridge NSW

Lightning Ridge has a large variety of accommodation to cater for every style and budget… from the business traveller to families, whatever the accommodation you need… we’ve got it. The Lightning Ridge Community provides a wide range of comfortable amenities, including a choice of quality Motels, charming B&B, cosy family cottages, convenient caravan parks with camping and cabin facilities, centrally located holiday units, restful holiday cabins and units, peaceful outback Bunkhouses and cottages and backpacker style accommodation.

Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Texture of the ground at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Walking up a discarded dirt from mine at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Walking up a discarded dirt from mine at Lighting Ridge, NSW
Beauty of the ground at Lightning RIdge NSW

Lightning Ridge has a diverse range of native wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas, possums, insects and a remarkable range of reptiles. Lightning Ridge is also a haven for rare Australian birds, and you can get up close and personal with a surprisingly large number of these fascinating animals.

Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata), Lightning Ridge, NSW
Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata), Lightning Ridge, NSW
Crabronid Wasp (genus Liris), Lightning Ridge, NSW
Crabronid Wasp (genus Liris), Lightning Ridge, NSW

Lightning Ridge boasts a 12-month program of entertainment with events including the Easter Goat Races, Opal and Gem show Expo, spring exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Council, Opal Festival, Aristocrat Black Opal Fours Bowls Carnival, annual Golf Tournament, ‘The Opal Open’ pistol shooting competition and during Easter the Black Opal Rodeo.

Be warned though, many have stopped for a 3 day visit and are still here 30 years later!

Footnote & References

  1. Lightning Ridge, visitNSW, https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/outback-nsw/lightning-ridge-area/lightning-ridge

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