Activities
& Tours
Your host, Sonja Cairns, is a volunteer at the Lightning Ridge Tourist Information Centre, so you'll always have access to the best tourism tips. Feel welcome to browse one of our brochures or simply ask Sonja for her advice.
Lightning Ridge is a fascinating outback town. Although our population is only a few thousand, more than 80,000 tourists visit us each year to fossick for the valuable black opal. That means we've got plenty of fun activities for every visitor.
Here are some ideas:
Annual & Special Events [see photos and links]
Easter
Goat Races- Easter Black Opal Rodeo
- Opal & Gemshow Expo
- Spring exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Council
- Opal Festival
- Aristocrat Black Opal Fours Bowls Carnival
- Annual Golf Tournament
- Annual Pistol Competition
Places to Visit
Artesian
Bore Baths - rejuvenate in the therapeutic hot waters, open 24hrs (free entry)- John Murray Art Gallery
- The Bottle House
- Indigenous Art Displays & Cultural Information
- Cactus gardens
- Astronomers' Momument
- Amigo's Castle
Local Activities
Fossick
for opals and perhaps find yourself a valuable souvenir- Wonderful wildlife and native plants - take a stroll from Sonja's B & B to see kangaroos, wallabies & birds
- Enjoy a cold beer with the locals at a true-blue Aussie pub
- Have your Astrology, Numerology & Palmistry charts read by local resident Ivanna. She's very accurate. Contact Sonja prior to arriving so we can arrange a private appointment. [see photo]
Tours & Adventures
- Tours to the opal fields for fascinating insights into opal mining and the unique lifesyle of the opal miner. Contact Sonja or jot a note on the booking form if you would like us to arrange a ticket on Black Opal Tours.
Shopping
- Opal Shops Galore [see links]
Restaurants & Pubs
-
Diggers
Rest Hotel - The Ridge Rock Cafè
- Lightning Ridge Bowling Club
- Wong's Chinese Restaurant
Book your next outback adventure today!
See some links to local tourist attractions >>