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Town in New South Wales, Australia
Photo: M P Goodwin, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Lightning Ridge is an opal-mining town in Northwestern New South Wales. The town still has an outback feel. Tourism is just as big an industry for the Ridge now as mining and artists and designers now call the town home, with galleries and jewellery shops along the main street. After a day of fossicking, mine tours, and soaking in a hot artesian bath, you can get a decent coffee, a nice dinner, good wine, and a cold beer.
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The, Displays of opal and fossils.
The first level is 11 metres underground with images carved and painted in the sandstone walls and pillars.
An impressive collection of locally inspired works, in a stylish, air-conditioned setting.
Self-guided tour 30 m underground, exploring three dug tunnels. You can see a seam of Opal. Expect to take around 45 min to walk the mine yourself.
Warm artesian waters from the subartesian basin 900 metres below ground level. These waters are therapeutic for tired and aching muscles.
Open during the summer months. The Olympic Pool has good diving facilities. The Water Theme park has a wave machine and other features.
The Bowling Club is the centre of the town. It is large and well patronised. There are three dining options in the club.
The Wallangulla Motel consists of 42 self-contained rooms with air conditioning. TVs in all rooms with Foxtel. The hotel is owned and run by the Bowling Club across the road.
On the main street, central to the Ridge.
Lightning Ridge is easily accessible on a paved road about four kilometres east of the Castlereagh Highway, approximately 75 km north of Walgett.
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