What to do and see in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

See the very BEST solid Lightning Ridge Opal collection in Australia. We Mine, Cut, Polish, Carve and Design all our own opals. Unique, classic and interesting jewellery designs in silver and gold by Justine Buckley. On site professional Opal carver and cutter. Feel comfortable to shop with expert advise, knowing you are looking at quality goods at unbeatable prices.

The all new DTEO is now open. Come and visit the most amazing opal shop in the universe! Remodelled from top to toe. Stunning new opal experience with a bespoke floor never before done anywhere. Double the space of our old shop, triple the loose solid opal display, immersive new technology, and much more.

Lost Sea Opals is about designing and making jewellery that is distinctive, individual and reflective of the uniqueness of every opal. In addition to opals, diamonds, pearls and other gems are used regularly in Jo Lindsay's work. Her designs are always underpinned by her strict trade-based work ethic and traditional artisan standards. Structural integrity is an intrinsic part of every one of Jo's designs ensuring the longevity and wearability of each and every design.

The colour and humour of life in the bush jumps out of the work with the whimsy and realism that sets John Murrays artwork apart from the pack. No visit to Lightning Ridge is complete without some time spent in the John Murray Art Gallery. Established in 1992 by creative duo John and Viki Murray to showcase John’s vibrant original acrylic paintings, the Gallery has since grown to include quality reproductions ranging from canvas prints and mounts to postcards and stubby coolers. The world-class gallery has retained its rustic roots and Australia’s leading outback artist continues to lure people from all over the country to see his endearing work first hand. Having lived on the opal fields for many years, Viki Murray has truly captured the personality of Lightning Ridge in her own unique photographic style. Whilst the Ridge is where she makes her bed, Viki is a sucker for a project where she has the opportunity to travel. This is why you’ll see a vast array of incredible photographs from India, Vietnam, Bali and coastal Australia mixed in with her bush photography. Viki likes to change her mediums as often as she does her subjects, you’ll be treated with rustic wooden prints, classic canvas and the sharp vibrancy aluminum prints bring to the table. From prints to books and cards, her works are quirky, eclectic, rustic and retro all rolled into one. Art that makes you smile.

A unique gallery of over 350 sandstone carvings plus murals painted on the sandstone walls in the sandstone level above the opal level of an old opal mine. Ron Canlin is the artist of this amazing attraction, 12 years passion and still carving daily, a real work in progress. After touring the carvings, Trevor Hudson with 30 years experience in mining and prospecting then takes you down to 2nd level where he will draw on his wealth of knowledge to give you a very informative talk on the geology and formation of opal, the drives and shafts were hand dug by the old timers over the past 100 years. Not to be missed, winner of the NSW 2008 Hidden Jewel award.

Free entry. They are a really beautiful spot in the morning when the sun rises, especially in the winter when it's chilly there.

"If you haven't seen our walk in mine you haven't seen Lightning Ridge!" Take a trip underground and experience for yourself an opal mine, view a fascinating film of the many Lightning Ridge characters, learn about the elusive black opal and how we mine for opal. Enjoy complimentary Tea and Coffee in our picnic area or bring your own lunch to enjoy! Fossicking on site for opal is available. We will show you what rough opal looks like before you go for a fossick! Visit our showroom for your own opal, jewellery or souvenir of Lightning Ridge. We cut and polish our own opals. Enjoy local wildlife all set in the historic opal fields of Lightning Ridge.

A dinosaur coming through the window, the world's greatest collection of opalised fossils, Harold Hodges' opal teeth, yabby buttons, Lightning Claw, plans for a 21st century Australian architectural icon...glimpse what's to come at the new Australian Opal Centre! Make your travel count: to save national treasures and support a visionary not-for-profit project, just join, donate or shop at the AOC!