Looking for things to do in Lightning Ridge with kids? Unsure where to stay in Lightning Ridge? Unsure where to eat on your visit to Lightning Ridge? After spending just under a week exploring one of NSW’s quirkiest towns we have developed a great resource guide to help you with your planning.
Things to do in Lightning Ridge with Kids
Table of Contents
Why Lightning Ridge?
Lightning Ridge has been on our radar for a few years now. After watching the latest season of Outback Opal Hunters, Lightning Ridge was sold to us as a destination that would provide us with a glimpse of the mining life. Having travelling to Broken Hill with kids we discovered that we quite like exploring Outback towns.
Our research revealed a plethora of things to do in Lightning Ridge with kids and it turned out to be one of the most surreal and quirky places we’ve visited, with an eclectic mix of folk all happy to have a yarn.
Things to do in Lightning Ridge
There are a plethora of things to do in Lightning Ridge but you will need a car. Lighting Ridge itself is not a large town. There are a small number of places to eat and stay, and for those self-catering there is a single IGA.
Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre
Before you head off exploring Lightning Ridge, stopping at the Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre will help to identify which attractions are safe to visit with your car. Rain and other weather conditions can make some of the tracks off the main road tricky to drive, so check in first.
When you are at the Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre make sure to purchase a copy of the Car Door Tour maps. These self-guided tours will take you to the best attractions, sites and locations around Lightning Ridge.
Car Door Tours
Whenever we spoke to travellers who have already visited Lightning Ridge they would always mention the Car Door Tours as a must do. We picked up the maps at the Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre. We took the advice of staff to spread the car door tours across our stay, and dedicate our full day to the Orange Car Door Tour which would take us to Grawin around 60 kilometres away.
In total, there are 5 different Lightning Ridge Car Door Tours: Orange, Green, Yellow, Blue and Red. Each tour commences at a literal car door and will take visitors on a trek around some of Lightning Ridge’s most unique sites.
Orange Car Door Tour – Grawin
Firstly, it is imperative that you check with the Lightning Ridge Information Centre to determine if it is safe to drive out to Grawin on your preferred day. It is not a destination that I would recommend for those without a 4WD or AWD as the roads are not sealed, are incredibly bumpy and at times, require a high clearance, and can get very muddy.
Secondly, the majority of the area is working mine country. It is absolutely essential that you stick to marked roads and don’t go wandering anywhere on foot around mining areas as you could stumble into an open shaft or into dangerous mining spaces. Stick to where you know you should be!
The Grawin turnoff is about 40km south-west of Lightning Ridge on sealed roads. However, from the turnoff, things get a little bumpy.
Highlights:
The Club in the Scrub
Boasting its own Outback golf course, the Club in the Scrub is the first spot to check out after taking the turn off to Grawin. It’s a unique stop for a drink or something to eat. With the kids in tow, we basically had a look around, grabbed a drink, and then headed on our way.
Open 11.00 am till late every day
Glengarry Hilton
The owners have a great sense of humour, adding Hilton to this Outback pub’s name which also offers some basic, backpacker style accommodation. Known for providing a good meal, it is often the place visitors stop in Grawin to fill their bellies. On our stop they had run out of food!!
Open 11.00 am until late. Backpacker style accommodation is $16.00 per person which includes breakfast.
Sheepyard Inn
This was the kids favourite stop! The Sheepyard Inn is in the heart of the opal fields and is a good bathroom stop (they’re outside but are clean!). The kids enjoyed a game of pool (free – although the tables do need re-carpeting) while we all enjoyed an ice-cold drink. Apparently there is a baker on site too, so you can buy fresh bread!
The Sheepyard Inn has a range of old vehicles and other junk surrounding it that you can explore.
Open 11.00 am until late every day of the week.
Sheepyard and Community War Memorial
The Sheepyard and Community War Memorial was developed in 2001 to pay respect to the local individuals and groups who have represented Australia in war. There are around 20 plaques commemorating the fallen.
Most significant, at least for me, is that the first plaque is dedicated to Australian Aboriginals who served their country in time of war 1914 – (no end date). Further plaques represent the different wards from World War I onwards.
It is a solemn tribute to those fallen, and to those passed. We spent some time reading the different memorials and paying our respect.
Sweeney’s Cooperative Crafts
We detoured to Sweeney’s Cooperative Crafts after visiting the Glengarry Hilton and met the sweetest shop assistant. Her charm and willingness to provide us with some top tips for our trip led me to fill my arms with local products including the yummiest pickles relish (look for Rugga’s Homemade Pickles – you won’t regret it).
The store is filled with locally crafted preserves and pantry items, clothing, souvenirs and fun items. It’s a treasure trove for the kids, so you’re best setting a budget for them before they enter. You can even purchase an opal or two if you haven’t had any luck on the opal fields.
Opal Mines and Dump
Throughout the trip you will note numerous opal mines and the little shantys that the miners live in. This is not an invitation to head over and speak to them – leave the talking to the Sheepyard Inn or Glengarry Hilton!
The map will show you where the open dumps are where you can try fossicking for opals. Do not try anywhere else as this will not be welcomed by the locals.
Blue Car Door Tour
While the drive time for the Lightning Ridge Blue Car Door Tour, you will need a couple of hours up your sleeve to do this tour in completion. The two top destinations on this tour also come with a dent to your wallet, so make sure you’re keen to explore before you set off on this one.
Highlights:
Bevan’s Cactus Garden
Created back in 1966, Bevan’s Cactus Garden boasts approximately 2,500 young and aged varieties of cactus (some over 150 years old) making it one of the largest cactus nurseries in the southern hemisphere. The Garden can be explored every day of the year, just make sure you take your time around the pathways – you don’t want to fall onto a cactus!
Open 9.00 am to 5,00 pm each day. $10.00 for adults and free for children.
The Lost Treasure Opal Mine Adventure
The Lost Treasure Opal Mine Adventure is one of the easiest of the mines to visit in Lightning Ridge with a wide tunnel and great lighting. Before heading down the mine you will need to fit a miners hard hat on your head, and then you’re ready.
Often referred to as the Walk In Mine, the Lost Treasure Opal Mine Adventure is an opportunity to get up and close with a real working opal mine and learn what life is like down in the mines. There’s even a chance to watch the retro film of the mining life in the underground cinema.
Back at the top you can try to find an opal at the unwashed fossicking heap or grab a snack at the site’s small kiosk.
Open daily 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Families $50.00. Adults $20.00. Children (6 – 16 years) $8.00
Green Car Door Tour
Somehow we missed the Green Car Tour and I have been kicking myself ever since! This car door tour is one that I’ve been told to head off on about 30 – 45 minutes before sunset so your journey ends at the best spot to see the colours of the day fade away. Should have done it!
Attractions along the way
Beer Can House – Stone Labyrinth – Opal Tree – Wild Orange Tree – Nebia Hill – Nettleton’s First Shaft Lookout
Red Car Door Tour
This was one of the quirkiest of the Lightning Ridge car door tours that we experienced, with the map taking us into the back suburbs of the town. The road is unsealed and very bumpy, so check the road conditions with the Lightning Ridge Information Centre before you head out.
The Red Car Door tour in Lightning Ridge takes around 20 minutes to the circuit, however, it may take a little longer depending on how long you stop to marvel at the different sites along the way.
Highlights:
Bottlehouse
The Bottlehouse is exactly what its name implies: a house made from bottles. Originally a miner’s camp, this home was built in the 1960s using bottles sourced from Hebel (a town just over the border in Queensland) and local clay. It is full of some interesting artefacts. The kids stayed in the car for this one, which saved us $20.00!
Open Daily. $10.00 entry per person.
Amigos Castle
Amigos Castle is not what you would expect to find in the back streets of Lightning Ridge. Built by local Vittorio Stefanato using ironstone boulders he has found locally, this interesting find was built without a permit on Stefanato’s mining plot and was heritage listed before he bulldozed it down. It has no roof, but is similar to visiting an Italian ruin.
Open most days between 9.00am and 5.00pm. Entry fee.
Other attractions along the way
The Plaque | The Stone and Bottle House | The Ridge Castle | Sim’s Hill | KFC Drive Thru | Kangaroo Hill Complex | Astronomers Monument | Len Cram Park
Yellow Car Door Tour
As we arrived at Lightning Ridge we headed straight to the Chambers of the Black Hand, having booked the tour well in advance. It was only after visiting the Lightning Ridge Information Centre that we realised that we had already completed part of it. This was one of our favourite car door tours!
Highlights:
Stanley the Emu
There is no missing Stanley the Emu as you head to Lightning Ridge along the Castlereagh Highway. Created by artist John Murray using VW Beetle bonnets and doors as materials, Stanley has joined the list of Australia’s Big Things, although he was originally set to be installed in Birdsville (the travel expenses were way too much!). Today Stanley is an official resident of Lightning Ridge.
You will spot Stanley the Emu as you head to Lightning Ridge vias the Castlereagh Highway. There is parking right next to him.
Chambers of the Black Hand
The Chambers of the Black Hand were at the very top of our list when planning our trip to Lightning Ridge with almost every person we spoke to who has been here encouraging us to visit. It was also the only spot in Lighting Ridge that we had to book in advance.
The Chambers of the Black Hand was created by Ron Canlin, a self-taught artist who honed the craft of carving why whittling during his time as a Royal Marine. Whilst his mine never really provided a good source of opal, it did unleash his creativity and he has created an amazing collection of sculptures within a 100-year-old mine.
The Chambers of the Black Hand tour takes you 19.6 metres underground to a number of tunnels and chambers where you can explore over 700 carvings. It’s incredible. There are also a number of Where’s Wally images throughout the site for the kids to find.
The Chambers of the Black Hand must be booked in advance. To find out more head here.
Other attractions along the way
Miners Cottages | Sandstone Art Gallery | | Australian Opal Centre | Old Chum’s Track | Graveyard of Rusty Treasures | Lunatic Lookout | Movie Set | Big Opal Mine
Lightning Ridge Artesian Bore Baths
We’ve enjoyed Hot Spring baths in Japan, the Snowy Mountains (check out the Yarrangobilly Thermal Pools for an amazing trip), and the Mornington Peninsula, so learning that Lightning Ridge boasted its own Artesian Bore Baths piqued our interest immediately.
Ranging from temperature from 40 – 50 degrees, we did find the bore bath a little warm for the kids but I have been told that we did it all wrong! The best time is at night time when the sky is free from clouds and you can lay back and watch the stars. This is what we will do …. next time.
The water that fills the bore baths comes directly from the Great Artesian Basin and is approximately two million years old. Incredible, right?
The Artesian Bore Baths are FREE and are open all day and night except for two hours each weekday between 10.00 am – 12.00 noon for cleaning.
John Murray Art Gallery
John Murray is a prominent Australian Outback artist who is based in Lightning Ridge. His Art Gallery houses a range of his art works from large to small original artworks, prints and memorabilia.
In late May 2017, the original John Murray Art Gallery was destroyed by fire. Locals literally ran into the flames to save John’s works, risking their own lives. The new gallery, whilst apparently temporary, is one to visit on your trip to Lightning RIdge. Make sure to detour to the left of the gallery to see the street art that has been created by John and students.
The John Murray Art Gallery is FREE to visit. It is open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm each weekday, Saturday 9.00 am to 2.00 pm and Sunday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.
Shincracker Street
I have to admit that our original itinerary for Lightning Ridge did not include Shincracker Street. It was only through a local that mentioned this little find that we headed down the street to see what he was talking about. I am glad we did!
Head down Shincracker Street (Google Maps will take you there) and you will spot an Earth Moving yard 200 – 300 metres along on the right hand side. You’ll want to stop and look, discovering a number of metal works that have been transformed into a range of sculptures that could have come out of the Terminator movies. It’s worth a visit, and FREE!
Lightning Ridge Olympic Pool & Water Theme Park
Who would believe that a teeny tiny town like Lightning Ridge would boast a 5 Star Olympic Pool and Water Theme Park. Open in the summer months, you may want to stop with the kids to escape the heat this part of Australia is known for over this season.
Traditional Owners
Lightning Ridge is on Yuwaalaraay country, with the traditional owners Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay people.
Getting to Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge can be accessed with a regular car, however, you should be aware that it is quite isolated. On our trip, flooding was rife to the east to Moree and west to Bourke. It is highly advisable to download the Live Traffic app so you can check the roads before you embark on your trip.
via Sydney
Lightning Ridge is approximately 8 to 8.5 hours from Sydney. The quickest route is over the Blue Mountain. The road is sealed the entire way, and there are plentiful towns to stop for petrol. Road Trippers should be aware of the emus, kangaroos, goats and other wildlife.
via Melbourne
Lightning Ridge is approximately 13 hours (just under 1,200 kilometres) from Melbourne via Albury and then Dubbo. The road is sealed the entire way. Like the trip from Sydney to Lightning Ridge, use caution and watch for wildlife and goats.
via Brisbane
Lightning Ridge is around 7.5 hours from Brisbane. Whilst the roads are sealed, they are isolated and caution should be taken to ensure you have adequate petrol between towns.
Fly to Lightning Ridge
Whilst you can not fly directly to Lightning Ridge, you can fly to Moree and then hire a car. This option is only recommended for travellers who want a quick visit to Lightning Ridge and are unlikely to go off-road (voiding hire contracts).
Lightning Ridge Accommodation
Whilst Lightning Ridge is an isolated township, accommodation options book out ahead of the school holidays so it is essential that you do a little planning if choosing to travel during this time.
We highly suggest looking at the Lightning Ridge Caravan Park – namely the Opal Caravan Park if you have a family in tow. We booked a cabin. Head to the Opal Caravan Park website for full details.
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