Tourist Guide: Lightning Ridge

Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in northern New South Wales, about 770km from Sydney, and it's unlike anywhere else in Australia. It's famous for black opals but there's plenty more to see and do once you get there.

From fossicking for gemstones to soaking in natural artesian hot springs, exploring underground mines, and checking out the town's quirky local art scene, Lightning Ridge rewards curious travellers who don't mind a bit of dust and heat. 

From our knowledge of the Ridge, here are some things you should do whilst visiting and some of the best places to stay. 

Staying in Lightning Ridge:

• The Big4 Caravan Park is out of town but across the road from the hot spring baths (which are free and open all the time)

• Cooper's Cottages or the Wallangulla Motel in town

Activities to do in Lighting Ridge:

1. Car Door Tours - self-drive tours around the town showing you historical landmarks and quirky bush architecture and mining camps

2. Chambers of the Black Hand - an extensive mining tour underground

3. Sunset drinks at Nettleton Shaft (the site of the first shaft mining for opal)

4. Miners Hall of Fame - an excellent introduction to Lightning Ridge and the miners who have made it big

5. Day trip to Grawin Opal Fields to visit the Glengarry Hilton and Club in the Scrub - this is the area that seam opal comes from and is about 100kms from town. Better yet, let someone else drive you by taking a tour with Outback Opal Tours.

6. Walking around town and a meal at the Bowling Club where you'll see ALL sorts of characters including Outback Opal Hunters. Be sure to check out the John Murray Art Gallery (the source of all our beautiful street art)

7. Soaks in the hot artesian springs which are known as the Bore Baths - this open air pool is not to be missed and it should be a daily ritual. Go late at night and look at the stars!

8. Lightning Ridge Opal Festival (last week of July) - this multi-day event celebrates the town's opal mining heritage with fossicking competitions, opal displays, live music, markets, and family-friendly activities. It's one of the best times to visit Lightning Ridge, with the cooler winter weather making it far more comfortable to explore the town