Lightning Ridge Australia. Lightning Ridge Tourism

Lightning Ridge

Lightening Ridge is located 780km northwest of Sydney and makes it's mark in NSW as the home of the opal. There are hundreds of mining sites set up in the district all searching for Australia's national gem. However, it's the black opal that everyone comes here in search of, it is a rare find and mainly discovered in this area. Shopping for opals is also popular in Lightening Ridge as the prices are at their cheapest here. Lightning Ridge is also known for it's outback temperatures where the average Summer day sits around 45 degrees Celsius.

Amigo's Castle
It's not what you would expect to see looming over an arid outback Australian town, but this castle comes complete with turrets, dungeons and even a wishing well. There are no official tours of the castle but people just like to wonder around and marvel at the 15metre tall structure.

Artesian Bore Baths
If its a warm outdoor bath you require to get rid of the dust, these are ideal. Located 2km from town, the water temperature sits at 40 degree Celsius and it is claimed the water has great therapeutic properties.

Bevan's Black Opal and Cactus Nursery
No surprise to see this arid plant in the outback and here you an view up to 2000 species of the cactus. There are also opals on display here. (02 6829 0429).

Black Opal Tours
These tours take in some of the popular mines in the area and give an insight into the outback life here. They last for 3 hours and there are morning and afternoon tours available (02 6929 0368).

The Big Opal
This mine offers tours underground as well as historical displays on the towns opal mining history. There is a cutting room and a fossicking area here as well (02 68291466).

The Bottle House
An interesting structure built solely of the long neck beer bottles and mud. 60 Opal Street (02 6829 0618)

The Spectrum Mine
There is a showroom here where you can admire some of the opal discovered in Lightening Ridge. Video displays of the mining history in the area are here as well. Bald Hill Road (02 6829 0581).