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Lightning RidgeLightning Ridge

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Explo writer
Nymboida's picture
Nymboida
1155 pts.
  • Off the path Explo
    92 %
    Off the path Explo rate
    Score
    4.6 / 5
    Comments
    We really like this place. That's a cool off the beaten track Explo!
  • Article Quality
    84 %
    Article Quality rate
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Cool article and tips Richard!
    • Score
      3 / 5
      Comments
      Useful information is ok. Any plan?
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yes, many!
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yep.
    • Score
      3 / 5
      Comments
      That's ok.
  • Explo Popularity
    %

Lightning Ridge is an iconic outback mining town famous for its rare black opals and its desolate semi-desert landscape

My experience, Explo description: 

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, opportunities and experiences.
The "Ridge", as it known to locals, is openly welcome with classic outback hospitality but is definitely unique and not 'more of the same'.

Scan the moonscape of discarded mine diggings that cover the town.
Try your luck fossicking for opals
Play a unique round of golf on a course set on an old opal field with "greens" of oiled sand.

Whilst visiting, ensure that you experience underground sculptures, astronomy monuments, unique gardens (particularly the Cactus Garden), hills named 'Lunatic', 'Pig', and 'Bald', a pub crawl 'The Pub in the Scrub', 'The Glengarry Hilton' and 'Sheepyard', underground mine tours, great galleries, the free outdoor hot spa at the Lightning Ridge Bore Baths - and most of all - follow the car door tours (what are these - you have to be there to experience them).

My personal recommendations: 

A great place for a 3 day adventure. Strongly recommend following each of the coloured car door tours - they are a unique australian experience that showcase the place in the best way possible, visit the art galleries as they present a unique outback style of art work that mixes the outback landscape with australian humour and visit the outdoor Bore baths just before sunset - you will get to meet many local characters here at this time of day as for many of the locals - this is not only there place to have a bath but there local meeting point.

How getting there: 

Lightning Ridge is easily accessible by road from Sydney (720 km), Brisbane (750 km), and Melbourne (1,200 km) and is also serviced by Country Link train services.

A tip to eat: 

The local pubs are great as is also the local Bowling Club.

A tip to sleep: 

A wide variety of accommodation - check http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Lightning_Ridge to find out more.

Useful information: 
Open hours: 

Open all hours

Visit duration: 

You should allow 3 days to really experience this outback destination.