Itineraries
There is something new to do every day regardless of whether you are here for a day or a week. Below are a few suggestions for tour building.
Prior to leaving home or upon your arrival, there are numerous accommodation options and types available including Wallangulla Motel, Crocodile Caravan Park, Bagala Cottage and Coopers Cottages.
For comprehensive face-to-face information once you have arrived, please head to our Visitors Information Centre at the Lions Park, open 7 days a week March to December.
SINGLE DAY
Put your racing wheels on…
Head to the Opal Miners Hall of Fame for an interactive & immersive audio-visual experience plus free opal fossicking, then Chambers of the Black Hand, one of our three underground opal mine tours – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to go underground where the best opal in the world comes from.
Take a run through town and visit a few of our opal shops including Lost Sea Opals and Down To Earth Opals (once you leave Lightning Ridge, prices will never be the same), and our famous outback artist John Murray Art Gallery.
Stop in at Amigo’s Castle and marvel at a structure that one man built over twenty years!
Green car door tour to the First Shaft and a well-deserved relaxing & magical sunset.
2 DAYS/WEEKEND
Day 1
Town tour in the morning with a choice of two operators including Outback Opal Tours for a quick view of highlights – the tour includes Amigo’s Castle.
First thing after lunch is to spend time at the atmospheric gallery of our famous outback artist John Murray.
Start your opal experience and visit a few of our opal shops including Lost Sea Opals and Down To Earth Opals.
Always time for ice cream or a sweet sugar hit, available in a number of shops including Crust and Co and The Lolly Shop.
You’ve earned a hearty dinner at our fully air conditioned, modern Lightning Ridge Bowling Club which has two dining options available: Wattle Bistro or Crust & Co, fully stocked bar, pokies, pool tables, kids play room – and bowling greens of course!
Day 2
Next morning head to the Opal Miners Hall of Fame for an interactive & immersive audio-visual experience plus free opal fossicking – along the Yellow Car Door Tour road then onwards to Chambers of the Black Hand, not just an underground opal mine tour, but the opportunity to see over 900 underground sculptures in sandstone locally dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world.
Lunch at the Wattle Bistro or Crust & Co at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club. After lunch consider Enlightening Ridge Opal Queen Emporium for something a little different. Step inside. Slow down. Reset – then more opal shopping to catch the shop you may have missed from yesterday including Lost Sea Opals and Down To Earth Opals.
Green car door tour to the First Shaft and a well-deserved relaxing & magical sunset and finally soak in the hot artesian bore baths at the end of two very busy days.
3 DAYS
Day 1
Town tour in the morning with a choice of two operators including Outback Opal Tours for a quick view of highlights of the town including Amigo’s Castle.
First thing after lunch in the afternoon spend time at the atmospheric gallery of our famous outback artist John Murray.
Start your opal experience and visit our opal shops including Lost Sea Opals and Down To Earth Opals.
You’ve earned a hearty dinner at our fully air conditioned, modern Lightning Ridge Bowling Club which has two dining options available, fully stocked bar, pokies, pool tables, kids play room – and bowling greens of course!
Day 2
Either jump in your car, or book with Outback Opal Tours for a full day Grawin experience, to see Lightning Ridge as it was in the good old days! You’ll visit the Club In The Scrub, have lunch at either the Sheepyard Inn or the Glengarry Hilton. Visit the famous Anzac Memorial and museum at Lake Beard. You’ll check out vintage mining machinery, pass operating opal mines, and meet some of the “locals” with a high likelihood of spotting an Outback Opal Hunter!
(Please check with our Visitor Information Centre prior to travel as the Grawin opal area is a dirt road and may be off limits after rain. Rental cars should not be driven on unsealed roads as this will likely void insurance – all vehicles travelling on unsealed roads do so at the driver’s risk.)
Day 3
Next morning head to the Opal Miners Hall of Fame for an interactive & immersive audio-visual experience plus free opal fossicking – along the Yellow Car Door Tour road then onwards to Chambers of the Black Hand, not just an underground opal mine tour, but the opportunity to see over 900 underground sculptures in sandstone locally dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world.
Lunch at one of numerous cafes including the Wattle Bistro or Crust & Co at Lightning Ridge Bowling Club, or consider sitting outside during the cooler months at The Hungry Spirit Thai Food. After lunch consider Enlightening Ridge Opal Queen Emporium for something a little different. Step inside. Slow down. Reset – then more opal shopping to catch the ones you may have missed from yesterday including Lost Sea Opals and Down To Earth Opals.
For a last “opal fix” take part in a free opal cutting demonstration at Down To Earth Opals, and if you’re a rockhound drop into Gemcuts for any lapidary supplies.
Green car door tour to the First Shaft and a well-deserved relaxing & magical sunset and finally soak in the hot artesian bore baths at the end of three very busy days.
In order to help you construct a multi-day experience, we provide info on major tours, attractions and things to do below.
| Duration Hours* | Attraction/Tour/Experience | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 | Australian Opal Centre | Free entry – Opalised fossils, opalised dinosaur bones, opal formation education |
| 1.00 | Down To Earth Opals Cutting Demonstrations | Free entry – Wednesdays & Fridays after 3:30pm (April to October) no bookings required |
| 1.00 | Car Door Tours (town only) | Free activity – self guide around the coloured and numbered car doors to view off-grid camp life, oddities, attractions and opal mining |
| 1.00 | Lightning Ridge Historical Society | Free entry – Heritage Cottage built 1932 and Bush Nurses Cottage, staffed by volunteers April to October |
| 1.50 | Amigo’s Castle | Red car door tour, self guided, entry fee applies – 15 metre tall ironstone castle built by one man over 20 years |
| 1.50 | Bevan’s Cactus Gardens | Blue car door tour, self guided, entry fee applies – Over 1,000 species of cacti, established 1960’s |
| 1.50 | Lunatic Hill Open Cut | Yellow car door tour, self guided – Largest open cut opal mine in NSW, listed on the historic register |
| 2.00 | Lightning Ridge Visitors Centre Fossicking Area | Free entry – Bring your own shade, towel, water and digging implements |
| 2.00 | Opal Miners Hall of Fame | Yellow car door tour, guided, entry fee applies – Step back in time to when the dinosaurs roamed – immersive experience |
| 2.00 | Outback Opal Putters | Entry fee applies – 9 holes mini golf in true Ridge style – meet Peter Cooke, Outback Opal Hunter |
| 2.00 | The Big Opal | Entry fee applies – Descend a metal circular staircase to the old workings below – featured in the movie “The Goddess of 1967” |
| 2.50 | Chambers of the Black Hand | Yellow car door tour, guided, entry fee applies – Over 900 sandstone sculptures and separate opal mining level – access via stairs or passenger lift |
| 2.50 | First Shaft Lookout | Green car door tour, self guided, not for low/lowered vehicles, no facilities |
| 2.50 | Opal Mine Adventure | Blue car door tour, self guided, entry fee applies – Combination concrete steps and ramp to the opal mining level, fossicking available |
| 2.50 | SPARK | Yellow car door tour, fee applies – Book tickets at the AOC showroom – outdoor cinema under the stars, April to October |
| 3.00 | Black Opal Tours | Tour fees apply – Local guide will take you on a town tour past all the local landmarks, opal cutting demo, Devonshire tea at “Platform 1” |
| 3.00 | Outback Opal Tours (Town Tour) | Tour fees apply – In depth experience of Lightning Ridge, entry to the Opal Mine Adventure, opal cutting demo, visit heritage miners camps |
| 5.00 | Hebel Hotel & General Store (QLD) | Historic pub – former Cobb & Co stop |
| 5.00 | Just Rustic | Entry fee applies, on unsealed dry weather road only – artefacts, indigenous artworks & weapons, early settler tools dating back to the early 1900’s |
| 6.00 | Grawin/Glengarry Opal Fields | Orange car door tour, self guided, not for low/lowered vehicles – Club In The Scrub, Glengarry Hilton, Sheepyard Inn, ANZAC Memorial, opal fossicking |
| 7.00 | Outback Opal Tours (Grawin Full Day Tour) | Tour fees apply – The full experience incorporates the whole Grawin Opal Fields, mining prospecting site, opal fossicking |
| 1 – 2 days | Brewarrina Fish Traps | Entry fee applies to the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum, can be undertaken in one day however accommodation is available in Brewarrina |
| 1 – 2 days | Culgoa Floodplain National Park (QLD) | 4WD vehicles only, camping fees and permits apply – check website and call Ranger in advance – this is a remote national park |
* Approximate time including travel time to/from Lightning Ridge township
Disclaimer – the LRTA takes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information which may change without notice. Visitors embark on any and all tours and experiences at their own risk.
The LRTA in providing this information takes no responsibility for the safety or security of patrons which is the sole responsibility of individuals who opt to partake in any experience.
The LRTA takes no responsibility for any damage to vehicles or injury to any persons regarding driving vehicles on any unsealed roads – in particular Car Door Tours & The Grawin.
Drive at your own risk. Rental cars should not be driven on unsealed roads.
EXTENDED INFORMATION
Hebel Hotel
Head to the historic Hebel Pub just 70km north up the Castlereagh Highway – take a selfie at the border under the Welcome to Queensland sign which is only 2km from Hebel. The Hebel Hotel, located in the historic border town of Hebel, Queensland, is a quintessential Australian country pub with a rich past. It was originally established in 1894 and served as a Cobb & Co changing station for travellers. The pub is known for its welcoming atmosphere, cold beer, and the opportunity to "have a yarn" with locals. The Hebel Hotel and General Store are now owned by a local farming family committed to the town and its heritage.
Culgoa National Park
Heading north then north west is the remote Culgoa National Park which is a haven for birdlife when our rivers are running. A comfortable 3 hour drive that can be easily done out and back in a day via the historic town of Goodooga. Known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, Goodooga offers visitors a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The community is surrounded by the picturesque Barwon River, providing opportunities for fishing, picnicking, and bird-watching. New bore baths were built at Goodooga only a couple of years ago. Note a trip to Culgoa should only be made in a 4WD or other high clearance vehicle – check with the ranger prior to departing the Ridge to ensure the roads are OK. There are no facilities in the park so you take everything in and out with you – no pets.
Brewarrina Fish Traps
Visit the town of Brewarrina only 2 hours’ drive west of Lightning Ridge. The Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps, also known as Baiame's Ngunnhu, are a series of ancient stone fish traps located on the Barwon River in Brewarrina, New South Wales, Australia. They are one of the largest known fish trap systems in the world and are estimated to be over 40,000 years old. These traps are a testament to the ingenuity of Aboriginal people and their deep understanding of sustainable resource management.
* Photo by Dippiljemmy - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link