Lightning Ridge

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Overview

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Lightning Ridge is synonymous with black opal mining in Australia, situated just 60km south of the Qld border.

If you look beyond the architecturally lacklustre main street and kitsch opal shops youll see a rare beauty, a true vision of Australian outback life .

Visitors trawl through each year either fossicking for fun or looking for their fortune and their numbers far outweighs the tiny population, which is estimated to be around 3,000 people.

The town has an abundant hot water supply from a bore spring into the Great Artesian Basin, and the 2 hot water pools (which are open 24hrs a day) offer an indulgent relaxation experience.

Lightning Ridge is a flourishing tourist town with numerous caravan/camping parks, surreal underground art galleries (be sure to check out the Chambers of the Black Hand), and even a museum made almost entirely out of beer bottles.

Lightning Ridge hosts an annual Goat Race in the town's main street and a rodeo on the Easter long weekend. Goats are harnessed and driven by children, much like harness racing in equine sports. The goat races are accompanied by wheelie-bin and horse races the following day.

Things to do

Strike it lucky when fossicking for the famous and rare Australian Black Opal
Immerse yourself the rugged lifestyle of this famous and unique outback opal-mining town
Relax in the sensational mineral water spa baths located in town
Visit the Black Queen - a tourist experience unlike any other.

Interactive Map & Directions

Address: Bill O'Brien Way, via Castlereagh Hwy, Lightning Ridge, NSW, 2834, Australia

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