Lightning Ridge
Town
Population 2598
This famous opal-mining town is the only place in Australia where true black opals are found. Miners on the opal fields in most cases need to provide their own electricity and catch or cart their own water as these services are not available, making residents pretty creative and resilient. The otherwise desolate area receives 80 000 visitors each year and has modern facilities in an otherwise minimalist town. Famous finds in the region include Big Ben and the Flame Queen, which was sold for £80 because the miner who found it had not eaten properly in three weeks. Local Aboriginal legend explains the opals by saying that a huge wheel of fire fell to earth, spraying the land with brilliant stones. Lightning Ridge is notoriously hot in summer but boasts ideal weather in winter, and has lots of native marsupials and birdlife.
Visitor Information
Lions Park, Morilla St; (02) 6829 1670
Nearby national parks
-
Warrumbungle National Park
At Warrumbungle National Park rocky spires emerge from the heavily forested valleys and peaks, and gorges slice deep into the landscape....more
Nearby towns
-
Walgett
Walgett is the service centre to a large pastoral region. The name Walgett, which means 'the meeting of two waters', is apt, as the town...more -
Brewarrina
This charming outback town on the banks of the Barwon River is affectionately known as Bre. It was developed in the 1860s as a river...more -
St George QLD
On the banks of the Balonne River is the Western Downs town of St George. It is the last post in southern Queensland before the heavily...more
In Town
Bottle House Museum: collection of bottles, minerals and mining relics; originally a miner's camp; Opal St. Big Opal: opal-cutting demonstrations and daily underground working-mine tours; Three Mile Rd. John Murray Art: exclusive outlet for original paintings, limited-edition prints, postcards and posters; Opal St. Goondee Aboriginal Keeping Place: Aboriginal artefacts and educational tours of the premises; open by appt; Pandora St. Chambers of the Black Hand: unique underground sculptures and carvings in sandstone walls of an old mine; also underground shop; Three Mile Rd. Displays of art and craft: including beautiful displays of black opal in the many opal showrooms; several locations; leaflet from visitor centre. Ridgelightning: local lightning photography gallery and shop; Gem St. Car Door Explorer Tours: follow painted car doors to find attractions; brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Walk-In Mine: working mine with easy access and tours on demand. Also a cactus nursery nearby; off Bald Hill Rd; 2 km N. Hot artesian bore baths: open baths with average temperature 42°C; 2 km NE. Kangaroo Hill Tourist Complex: displays of antiques, bottles, shells, rocks and minerals, and mining memorabilia with a fossicking area outside; 3 km S. Opal fields: Grawin (65 km W) and Sheepyards (76 km W); brochure from visitor centre. Designated fossicking areas: maps from visitor centre.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Star-gazing - Coonabarabran 230 km
Because of its combination of clear skies, altitude and distance from city lights, Coonabarabran is the astronomy capital of Australia. There are various ways to explore space here, from simply gazing skyward with a pair... Find out moreKoala-spotting - Coonabarabran 240 km
Coonabarabran is home to one of the healthiest koala colonies in the state, and the solitary mammals are often seen in and around the town. Try the Porcupine Reserve and while there check out the view over the Liverpool... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
This outback cafe enjoys a central location in Lightning Ridge. Visit to find out for yourself if they really do serve ‘the best coffee west of the Blue Mountains’, as the locals strongly attest! The... Find out more
You’ll find Nobbies Restaurant at the Lightning Ridge Outback Resort & Caravan Park. It offers an extensive variety of hearty fare, from continental breakfasts through to substantial meals for lunch and dinner.... Find out more
Campsites around town
Bokhara River camping area 54 km
This site with no facilities is set beside the Bokhara River in Hebel, 162 km south of St George and 65 km south of Dirranbandi.... Find out moreNarran River camping area 66 km
This campground beside the Narran River has no facilities. To get here, take Dirranbandi–Hebel Rd, 37 km south of Dirranbandi.... Find out moreBalonne Minor Bridge camping area 94 km
Self-sufficient campers can stay at this site, 3 km west of Dirranbandi on Dirranbandi–Bollon Rd, around 94 km south of St George.... Find out moreCulgoa River Campground 100 km
Don’t get too excited about fishing and swimming, as the river here is often dry. Instead, you can camp among the gidgee trees and take the Riverbank Walk to the river, or the Connellys Walk through stands of tall... Find out moreCulgoa Floodplain (bush camping) 110 km
For self-sufficient campers only, bush camping is permitted at various sites throughout the park. To get there from St George, travel 160 km south to Hebel on a sealed road then 45 km south to Goodooga (impassable after... Find out moreBarwon River camping area 110 km
This basic camping area is set on the north bank of the Barwon River in Mungindi, 118 km south-east of St George.... Find out more4 Mile camping area 120 km
At 4 miles, or approximately 6.5 km, east of Brewarrina along Carinda Rd, this is a top spot for fishing and swimming in the Barwon River. You’ll be joining a tradition stretching back thousands of years –... Find out moreBarney’s Beach camping area 122 km
You’ll find this campground beside the Moonie River, on Thallon–Dirranbandi Road, 3km west of Thallon. There are no facilities at the site. Thallon is 76 km south-east of St George.... Find out moreArtesian Bore Baths Reserve 124 km
If you’re on the New England Hwy between Walgett and Narabri and feel like washing off the outback dust, pop in to Burren Junction, 55 km west of Wee Waa. You can put up a tent or book a cabin – and plunge... Find out moreMoonie River camping area 144 km
There are no facilities at this site beside the Moonie River in Nindigully, 44 km south-east of St George. St George is at the junction of the Carnarvon, Balonne and Moonie highways, 200 km west of Goondiwindi and 290 km... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Gwydir Carapark 182 km
This park is located on the southern approach to Moree, about 3 km from the town centre. It has good amenities but its most attractive feature is the hot mineral spa and pool. A relaxing dip in a thermal pool is very... Find out moreBig Sky Caravan Park 201 km
Conveniently located in the heart of town, this is a large grassy caravan park within walking distance of the main street and close to the RSL club. It is a good friendly place close to the highway and is ideal for a few... Find out moreKidmans Camp 207 km
Located 8 km north of town, this spacious riverfront park has plenty of lawn and lots of shade. The park is in a quiet, out-of-town location backing onto the Darling River.... Find out moreMitchell Caravan Park 210 km
This caravan park is located in a quiet, off-highway position about 1 km from the town centre. It has modern, clean amenities and good basic facilities. It is an ideal base for those exploring Bourke. Bookings are... Find out moreJohn Oxley Caravan Park 239 km
A large council park with good facilities, this place is conveniently located on the Newell Highway close to the town centre. It is ideal for an overnight stay.... Find out moreGoondiwindi Tourist Park 247 km
This park has shown great improvement and we are happy to now include it as an Authors’ choice. Located 3 km north of town and best accessed from the Leichhardt Highway, it is well laid out and ideal for an... Find out moreRiverside Caravan Park 248 km
The park is set in a quiet riverfront location on the western side of Nyngan, strategically located near the junction of the Mitchell and Barrier highways. It has most of the normal park facilities and, while it has... Find out moreGundy Star Tourist Park 249 km
The park is located in a quiet part of town and has good facilities. There are some nice grassy areas with easy drive-through access.... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Rest areas around town
Moree Park Area 181 km
North side of town Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S29 27.301 E149 50.758 ... Find out moreTookey Creek Rest Area 182 km
52 km N of Narrabri (L) or 48 km S of Moree (R) Large area adjacent to the highway surrounded by scrub. Good shade. GPS: S29 52.28 E149 47.19... Find out moreBoolooroo Rest Area 187 km
8 km N of Moree (L) or 116 km S of Goondiwindi (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S29 25.235 E149 54.285 ... Find out morePilliga No. 2 Rest Area 199 km
95 km N of Coonabarabran (R) or 23 km S of Narrabri (L) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S30 29.653 E149 38.180 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Local craft market: Morilla St; every Fri and most Sun.
Great Goat Race: Easter.
Rodeo: Easter.
Opal Open Pistol Shoot: June.
Opal and Gem Festival: July.
