Getting Here and Around

We are one of the best accessed small NSW outback towns around! Obviously the main mode of travel in the bush is private car. We have three servos in town plus a number of electric vehicle charging facilities. Buses from Brisbane via Toowoomba from the north, and Dubbo from the south terminate in the centre of town. Airlink from Dubbo as an alternative to the daily bus service. Plus there are numerous connections especially to Dubbo by air, bus and rail.

Lightning Ridge is most frequently accessed by road from all points of the compass. The Ridge is a comfortable 1 or 2 days drive from most major cities on sealed roads.

All highway road approaches are sealed bitumen roads. However they are much narrower than what you may expect with significant undulations especially south to Coonamble and east to Moree.

Drive to the conditions at a speed that allows for navigation around road hazards, wandering stock (look out for cattle, sheep and goats), kangaroos, emus, wild pigs and birds.

Us locals try to avoid driving close to dawn and dusk when wildlife are on the move and visibility is not the best. If you must drive at these times and at night, remain vigilant and alert and continually scan the road ahead plus either side for anything that looks like an animal. 

Emus and kangaroos are notorious for standing still on the side of the road then leaping in front of an approaching vehicle at the last minute seemingly for no reason. If you see one – expect there to be more – and slow down!

Town roads are sealed but all other roads are unsealed and should not be driven in wet weather unless you have discussed this with a local first. If in doubt then do not drive on a wet unsealed road as the clay surface will bind your tyres like glue and you will be stuck.

The dry weather signposted unsealed roads are usually OK in a standard passenger car but vehicles with low exhausts or that have generally been lowered should not attempt them.

Access current shire road reports here: https://www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/Services/Roads/Road-Closures 

Note if coming from Moree, when you arrive at the T-intersection in Collarenebri next to the servo – even if your Nav tells you to turn right DO NOT DO SO unless you are well experienced on that dirt road which is largely unsigned and can be treacherous after rain. Whilst your Nav will indicate that it is shorter by distance, your speed will be significantly reduced resulting in minimal if no time saving. Instead, turn left and head towards Walgett and then once arriving at the Castlereagh Highway, turn right towards Lightning Ridge.

We do not recommend driving the highways at dawn, dusk or at night on any outback roads in the region due to the numerous hazards that could surprise even an experienced town driver.

Most of us have bullbars on our vehicles but even these can be compromised by a large emu, kangaroo or farm animal.

If you have a ‘nudge bar’ assume it will only afford cosmetic protection.