A mystical town covered in majestic forests, Lightning Ridge offers impressive landscapes that can’t be found anywhere else on earth. Lined with pristine beaches, the town is known for its black opal mining, rolling countryside and magnetic sunsets.
Things to do in Lightning Ridge
Want to learn about geology? Take a tour through the Chambers of the Black Hand, an impressive gallery comprising over 350 sandstone sculptures above an old opal mine. Catch the unique cinematic attraction on mining and don’t leave without picking out an opal souvenir.
Head to Lightning Ridge Bore Baths for a day of relaxation. Take a dip in the warm, artesian spring water and let your worries wash away. The water found here comes from the Great Artesian Basin and maintains a temperature of between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius.
Escape the sun for a few hours and head indoors to the John Murray Art Gallery. Enjoy browsing John’s original acrylic paintings and brilliant landscapes of the Australian Outback. The collection also contains Viki Murray’s photographs from Vietnam, Bali and coastal Australia on a variety of mediums, including canvases, wooden prints and postcards.
Visit Big Opal, the first licensed opal mine open to the public in Lightning Ridge. You can choose between a self-guided tour of the grounds or schedule a guided tour for a brief history of the area and a chance to do your own fossicking.
Getting around Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge is about 75 kilometres north of Walgett and is accessible directly off the Castlereagh Highway. Lightning Ridge Airport is under four kilometres from the city, serving as the nearest aviation hub. The easiest way of getting around is by car or taxi.