Lightning Ridge

The extraordinary opal mining town of Lightning Ridge is a place of tall tales, drills, hoists, & true outback characters. Take a dip in a hot artesian bath beneath the stars, grab a beer in a 'wild west' pub, or tour an underground mine. Lightning Ridge is synonymous with Black Opal mining in Australia. Black Opal was discovered at Lightning Ridge in about the 1880's or 1890's and is the most valued opal in the world. Lightning Ridge offers a true vision of gritty life in the Australian outback.