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 The magnificent Lightning Ridge Black Opal is certainly well worth a trip to the Ridge but it does not end there... there are attractions aplenty from Outback theatre, underground sculptures, bore baths, galleries, jewellers, unique people and even goat races (just to name a few).
Take a step back in time, or try your luck fossicking, whatever your taste, there is something to tickle everyone's fancy.
| The Ridge offers many varied options to the visitor. In addition to what is listed below, you might also want to look at the following sections: |
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Lightning Ridge has a large variety of attractions to suit all needs. For those interested in purchasing Opals, many of the Lightning Ridge 'Attractions' listed below sell Opals. For specialty shops dealing with Opal purchases, please refer to our 'Opal Shopping' section.
| Artesians Baths |
Phone: 02 6829 0518 |
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Pandora Street, Lightning Ridge |
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A trip to the Ridge would not be complete without a visit to the FREE Artesian Bore Baths. At the end of a hard day fossicking and exploring, there is nothing quite as therapeutic as a long soak in the naturally heated thermal baths. Allow the water to soothe your aches while you gaze at the starry night sky and enjoy the serenity. Bliss!
Opening Hours: 24 hours/all year round
Cost: FREE
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| Astronomer's Monument |
Phone: 02 6829 2882 |
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Red Car Door Tour, Lightning Ridge |
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Take the time to browse this incredible feat of engineering and truly experience the eccentric mind of one of the Ridge's late characters. The walls of this 'concrete folly' have been carefully and lovingly inscribed and you can journey through the mind of its creator and wonder....
Not open to the public - but stop and have a look and read about the builder on the front gate.
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| Australian Opal Centre |
Phone: 02 68291667 |
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Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge |
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Meet a life-like dinosaur face to face! Examine rare opalised fossils from long ago, when dinosaurs and other wonderous creatures lived in streams, billabongs and mighty pine forests at the place we now call Lightning Ridge. Learn about Australian opal, opal mining and pioneering life on the opal fields.
Opening Hours: 9am - 3pm Monday - Thursday and Saturday, or by appointment. FREE ENTRY.
Features: Lifelike dinosaur, opalised fossil collection, opal information, books, posters, postcards, toys, gifts and treasures from the Earth. |
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| Bevan's Black Opal & Cactus Nursery |
Phone: 02 6829 0429 |
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(Blue Car Door Tour), Lightning Ridge |
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Said to be the largest display of old and rare cactus in southern hemisphere, this garden is a labour of love and well worth a look! Meet the only black opal mining cactus farmers in the world!
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm 7 days
Cost: $5 adults $2 children Location:
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| Black Queen |
Phone: 02 6829 0980 |
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Red Car Door Tour, Lightning Ridge |
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The Black Queen
Outstanding Outback Theatre… with a twist
Completely surprising. The Award Winning Black Queen is an inspiring collection of intertwining stories weaved together and told in a wonderfully mysterious way. Expect the unexpected.
March – Nov
Performances daily 9am, 1pm & 5pm
Adults $25 Bookings essential
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| Bottle House |
Phone: 02 6829 0618 |
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60 Opal Street, Lightning Ridge |
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A unique structure and an intriguing example of innovative architecture.
Originally a miner's camp, the Bottle House now houses an astonishing collection of artefacts and other items of interest.
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm 7 days Cost: $5 adults, Children free
Features: Friendly Service and souvenirs
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| Coopers Cottage |
Phone: 02 6829 0221 |
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Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge |
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Coopers Cottage is an authentic abode of the early miner, built in 1916. Its historical setting embraces the living conditions of the mining pioneer.
Free entry to one of the oldest houses in The Ridge,
Open from 11am to 5pm 7 days a week.
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| Chambers of The Black Hand |
Phone: 02 68290221 |
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5 kms up the 3 mile road, Lightning Ridge |
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You'll be amazed... The Egyptian chamber has humorous hieroglyphics and is a replica of an Egyptian tomb. Atlas holds the world while Adam supports the roof of the entrance to the working mine - another feature of the tour. The Last Supper which took six months to complete and the pondering Nostradamus, which took five hours to carve, are depicted in magnificent detail and is testimony to the razor sharp skill and patience of Ron. Carved on the wall of an opal cave, these captivating images have been created by local opal miner Ron Canlin. Ron has transformed a number of drives (tunnels) of an old opal mine into an interactive work of art.
APRIL - NOVEMBER - 10.30am, 1.30pm, 3pm (7 days a week)
DECEMBER -MARCH - 3pm only (7 days a week)
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| Fossicking Heap |
Phone: 02 6829 1670 |
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Visitor Information Centre, Lightning Ridge |
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Whether you are old hat or it is your first time - there is nothing more exciting than that first bit of colour appearing beneath your fingertips as you scratch through the seemingly endless piles of white opal dirt. Good Luck!
Opening Hours: Daylight to Dusk
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| Kangaroo Hill Complex |
Phone: 02 6829 0155 |
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Top of Opal Street, Lightning Ridge |
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A life of collection has led to this quirky Lightning ridge icon. A fabulous display of rocks, minerals, shells, bottles and antiques will have you captivated for hours as will the FREE fossicking heap outside.
Features: 1 hour FREE fossicking, Rocks and Mineral Display, Shells, Bottles and Antique Display, Souvenirs for Sale
Opening Hours: 9.30am - 5pm except Sundays (Closed Christmas Day)
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| Historical Society & Heritage Cottage |
Phone: 0419 639 120 |
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9 Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge |
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1932 Miners' cottage and 1915 Cottage Hospital Gallery. Historical displays books and crafts.
Features: Local history, books and souvenirs
Cost: Donations accepted
Opening Hours: open 3 days a week, or by appointment, phone for details
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| Olympic Pool and Water Theme Park |
Phone: 02 6829 0150 |
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Gem Street , Lightning Ridge |
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The 5 Star Olympic Pool and Water Theme Park operates during the summer months. The Olympic Pool is handy for keeping fit and the Water Themepark for keeping the kids entertained.
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| Walk in Mine |
Phone: 02 6829 0473 |
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Bald Hill Road , Lightning Ridge |
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Come along with us on a tour of dicovery through this original 45 year old opal mine. Hear the tales and stories told of mining and witness for yourself the hardships that the miners endure to find that elusive Black Opal. See the actions the biggest hoist in the Southern Hemisphere comes to life as it raises the dirt from the shaft and sends it up to the top of the hoist for dumping.
Guided Tours Start at 9.30am and 1.30 pm Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm seven days
Features: Underground mining, Mining Operations, Fossil Display, Opal and Mining Information Talk video and opal and jewellery showroom
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Things to Do & See