Lightning Ridge

'Though you've roamed the whole world over, seen most all there is to see,There are scenes you've never dreamed of, in the stone of mystery'.
Laurie Hudson, Cumborah Postmaster 1947-1965

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 is known to the locals, will welcome you with classic, country hospitality but it will certainly not be "more of the same".

We are a unique bunch out here and pride ourselves on a wonderful eccentricity; it is something about the pioneering spirit that developed this area. Many visitors become so enamoured with the place that a 3 day holiday can turn into a lifetime of pleasure for those, who become so captivated that they stay.

Famous for the elusive and distinctive Black Opal, which is unique to the area, The Ridge is also famous as a thriving frontier town full of the iconic Australian characters - travellers are reminded that the Australian spirit is not a thing of folklore and that The Ridge is as unique as the Black Opal is elusive.

You can experience sculptures underground, bottle-houses, antique lamps, castles, an astronomers' monument, unusual gardens; can visit hills named 'Lunatic', 'Pig' and 'Bald'; can do a pub crawl to 'The Club in the Scrub', 'The Glengarry Hilton' and 'Sheepyard Inn'; also can tour underground opal mines. And how do you find all these things? Just follow the Car Door Explorer Tours. Although this may not make sense now, it will, when you come out and experience the opal fields and Lightning Ridge.

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

The Ridge is perfectly located to incorporate into other journeys through Outback NSW and Queensland.

     

Glengarry Hilton a Pub in the middle of the Mine Fields.

Amigo's amazing hand-made Castle

One of many carvings in 1st level of "Chambers of the Black Hand" mine, 40 ft below the ground.

Another Carving, it happens to be of Herman Warren's ex neighbour from Earlwood. Herman has been in Lightning Ridge for over 40 years and owns the Opal Cave shop and many other things.

Another Carving

Under ground Mine

The Grawin Hotel another Pub in the Mine Fields

The cook's van at the Hotel Grawin

Part of the Mine Fields

We went fossicking for a short time and found a very small piece of Black Opal.
We are now heading home through Gunnedah, Denman(a lovely small town in the middle of wine country in the upper Hunter Valley) this will be the last entry of this trip in our blog.