Products & Experiences

Black Queen, Theatre on the Ridge. A house built with 14,000 coloured bottles, enchanting stories around the fire, a priceless collection of antique lamps, one truly enlightening experience. The multi award-winning Black Queen weaves drama, stories and history around a hand-crafted museum of light. Legacy is an inspiring three-act performance whose stories will stay with you forever. Hold a 4500-year-old lamp in your hands and learn about one woman's pioneering act of self-healing as she built the house of her dreams. Join Black Queen for an illuminating journey through the history of light. Bookings are essential, please see the website for further details.

Bluey Motel is located in Lighting Ridge, home of the black opal in the New South Wales Outback. An owner operated motel with 10 rooms, Bluey Motel is situated opposite the bowling greens and walking distance to shops. The Bluey Motel offers friendly service, fresh rooms, off-street parking, guest laundry and shady barbecue areas. Free transport is available from the airport and tourist information and bookings are available.

Ron Canlin has created an amazing art gallery at Chambers of the Black Hand. The first level is 11 metres underground with images carved and painted in the sandstone walls and pillars. Everyday is a new experience at Chambers of the Black Hand. There is Jack Sparrow, Shrek, Puss in Boots and Donkey, Terracotta Soldiers from China and a Samurai warrior. The Jungle Room has lions, tigers, chimpanzees and elephant plus the cutest little meerkats. Ron's talent alone will mesmerise you. Ron has created a wall with all the prime ministers of Australia - Australia''s very own Mount Rushmore. There are new archangels plus two awesome Buddha's - the list goes on and on. Once in awhile you will come across something special and this is it, - a unique experience. Special Tutankhamen now completed. Chambers of The Black Hand has the only underground shop in Lightning Ridge.

Chasin Opal Holiday Park is a lovely quiet cabin park situated in a prime location close to the bowling club and the main shopping centre of Lightning Ridge. Cabins are modern and are fully self-contained with linen included. A warm and friendly welcome awaits you the minute you step foot into this boutique park.

The Club in the Scrub is the hub of social activity in Grawin. Our friendly staff will look after you, the beer is cold, the food is delicious and the company is great. The club offers a range of activities - sporting events, raffles, good food and community events. Check the menu on the left to see the full range of our services. There is a unique nine-hole golf course right next to the club. Our greens might be brown, but the course is well designed and maintained. Watch out for the resident kangaroos!

Welcome to Fossickers Cottages, the perfect place to stay, to relax and experience Lightning Ridge first hand. Meet the locals who are passionate both about their town and the black opal, the stunning gemstone that is mined from the depths of what was once a great inland sea. Opal Cottage is a little one bedroom cottage overlooking the old fields with an uninhibited view to the west for a glimpse of the most beautiful sunsets you might ever see. Opal Cottage has peaceful gardens where you can hand feed the birds. Harlequin Cottage was built over thirty years ago as a four room hut. It has grown over the years, into a cute two-bedroom cottage. Close to the centre of town Fossickers Cottages are a stones throw from every amenity in town.

John Murray Art Gallery in Lightning Ridge is the exclusive outlet for original John Murray paintings. One of the outback's favourite painters, here you can view the brilliant landscapes and characters first hand. The contrasting landscapes of the Australian Outback are portrayed in photo realistic detail with humour and whimsy. Come in and browse the large range of original paintings, prints, cards and souvenirs.

Home of the elusive 'Black Opal' and renowned for its colourful characters, barrels of dreams, opportunites and experiences! The Ridge is as unique as the Black Opal itself. The Easter Festival showcases all the Ridge has to offer and more... if you are after a unique, dynamic and memorable experience - join us! Your Easter long weekend is packed full of exciting events with The Ridge Carnivale night, the Miners Challenge, the Down to Earth Opals sponsored 'Big Dig', novelty events, Float Parade, the Horse Races, market stalls and more! It's the only place to be this Easter - and every Easter!

Lighting Ridge was born due to the discovery of the Black Opal in the Region. Some may consider Lightning Ridge an interesting place to build a town with its isolated location and variety of weather conditions throughout the year, but those who know Lightning Ridge know the uniqueness of this town is what makes it one of the must see destinations of outback New South Wales. The Ridge is famous for Black Opals and is recognised worldwide as the largest source of quality opals. Lightning Ridge Tours are seasonal and are a full day tour. The tour will take you to explore mines and opal fields, with an opportunity to purchase some quality opals. Lunch is not included in the tour however it can be purchased at Lightning Ridge.

The Lightning Ridge Tourist Park is ideally located in the centre of Lightning Ridge within a five minute walk to a range of shops, cafes, clubs and the Aquatic Centre is next door. The Lightning Ridge Tourist Park offers the following: Discounted Rates for extended stays Ensuite sites Large drive-thru powered sites Unpowered sites Grassed tent sites Refurbished amenities block with laundry Camp kitchen Free Gas barbeques Fire Pit Pet friendly Vehicle wash facilities Dump Point Book Exchange Sausage Sizzle and Craft mornings in winter months Tour Booking Office with onsite pick up available Discounts to both CCMA and Seniors Card Holders staying more than 1 night.

Opal Bin have a collection of Lightning Ridge opalised fossils, amazing carved opals, great opal specimens, unreal photos and the most incredible range of solid opals. Everything at Opal Bin is from Lightning Ridge, it is all solid. They aim to educate everyone who comes there about Lightning Ridge opals. They also have an opal carver in the premises who can carve your find for you.

Where holiday dreams are real. Opal Caravan Park is ideally located in a quiet bushland setting opposite and within walking distance of the hot artesian bore baths in Lightning Ridge, this park has been created with you in mind. Featuring modern facilities, spacious drive through campsites for caravans or camping, en suite sites and self-contained cabins, this outback accommodation venue is bound to delight. There is disability access in all areas and the park is pet friendly. Also on offer are free wireless internet, opal fossicking, swimming pool and great camp kitchen facilities including gas barbecues and campfire pit. Complimentary tour/attraction booking service as well as a free courtesy bus to town daily. There is so much to see and do in Lightning Ridge and the region surrounding it - you will have to stay more than one day!

Sonja's Bed and Breakfast is your home away from home in Lightning Ridge, the heart of Australia's black opal country. Sonja's is a perfect home base for a visit to the fascinating opal mining town of Lightning Ridge, on the edge of the outback in north western NSW. They have four self-contained units with homely furniture, comfortable beds with quality linen and doonas. Up to 10 people can enjoy comfortable accommodation. At Sonja's Bed and Breakfast you are just a stone's throw away from rejuvenating in the therapeutic waters of the Hot Artesian Baths. Visit John Murray's Art Gallery and other local arts and crafts, or the fascinating Amigo's Castle and Astronomer's Monument. Kangaroos, wallabies and birds are plentiful on the opal fields just a short stroll from Sonja's. Try your luck fossicking for opal, and don't forget to relax on the balcony to watch the magical sunrises and sunsets.

The Walk In Mine is the most easily accessed mine, and the longest running tourist attraction in Lightning Ridge. Originally a working opal mine, the Walk in Mine opens up an amazing world underground even to many elderly folk. The underground theatre presents a wonderful DVD to enhance your experience. Learn how what you see underground transforms into the large range of affordable and beautiful gems in the showroom, and helps you identify what you are looking for when you search for your own opal in our fossicking area. Much of the display has been mined, cut and set by the staff at Walk In Mine and they are proud to show it to you. Make Walk In Mine your first point of call in the Ridge.