2023/24 - A 7 Day Lightning Ridge and Outback NSW

Have they all been touched by the sun? There's something deliciously, refreshingly, awe-inspiringly crazy about the people of Lightning Ridge. Take Brian for example. After reading a book about opals, he arrived home to inform his wife that he'd sold their taxi plates and that they were moving to Lightning Ridge the following morning!! Forty years later, Brian is still at the 'Ridge’, and still pulling black opal out of the ground. The elusive and distinctive Black Opal is unique to the area. Lightning Ridge is also famous as a thriving frontier town full of the iconic Australian characters, reminding us that the Australian spirit is not a thing of folklore; but the exact qualities that makes the 'Ridge' as unique and elusive as the Black Opal itself. We will experience sculptures underground, bottle-houses, antique lamps, castles, astronomy monuments, hills named 'Lunatic', 'Pig' and Bald', and visit the ‘Glengarry Hilton!'

Day 1 (LD): Melbourne/Griffith

Welcome to our 7day tour to Lightning Ridge, one of the most fascinating places in Australia. The town is located on the world’s richest deposit of black opal and abounds with colourful characters all looking for the elusive black opal, unique to this area. This morning we travel to Shepparton and onto Cobram for lunch at Aintree Farm Organics where Mariea and Trinity established their ‘Farmacy’ in the 1980’s. Together they produce and offer an extensive range of all Australian honey varieties including almond honey, hemp oil, seeds, creams, muesli, almond products and much more. This afternoon we continue to Griffith for our first night on tour. (Meal inclusions: Light lunch/Welcome dinner)

Econonlodge Griffith Motor Inn, 96 Banna Street Griffith Tel 02 69621800 - 1 night

Day 2 (BLD): Wagga to Dubbo

Following breakfast we continue through Forbes and Parkes to Dubbo, one of Australia’s largest cities situated in the geographical heart of NSW. This afternoon we plan to spend some time at the Western Plains Zoo home to huge variety of animals from around the world! The Zoo is in the unique position, allowing many of the animals to roam freely and to be viewed without the visual barriers. A zoo keeper will escort our coach and explain the open range layout and some of the behind the scenes operations of the Zoo. We then overnight here in Dubbo before continuing to Lightning Ridge tomorrow. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in the motel/Club lunch at Peak Hill)

The Golden West Motor Inn, Dubbo Tel 02 6882 2822 – 1 night

Day 3 (BLD): Dubbo to Lightning Ridge

Heading north we continue to Gilgandra, home of the Coo-ees and the Town of Windmills. In Bridge Street a plaque commemorates the starting point of the famous “Coo-ee” recruiting march of World War I. Our next stop is in the small town of Gulargambone . There is an interesting sculpture dedicated to the Bullock Teams that passed through town in the early days.

We have morning tea in the local café called Two eight Two eight, then head to Lightning Ridge via Coonamble and Walgett. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast and dinner in motel/Club lunch in Walgett)

Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge Tel 02 6829 0542 – 3 nights

Day 4 (BLD): Lightning Ridge

This morning we head to the Opal Mine Adventure to experience the atmosphere of an underground mine. We also have a tour including a video presentation and explanation about opal mining. We then visit the showroom to view the opals that came from the mines in this area. Next is one of the more unusual sights, Amigos Castle – a castle built from ironstone by a local resident.

We have a guided tour, and then enjoy our picnic lunches, before an afternoon visit to the Chambers of the Black Hand. Opened in April, 2007, this is a unique tourist mine. At 11.2m underground, local artist Ron Canlin has created the most amazing paintings and sculptures. There is The Last Supper, Archangel Gabriel and the Chinese Terracotta Warriors. Ron is constantly carving new work, such as a samurai warrior so there are changes every day. The second level is a mine that has been worked for over 100 years, and all the old shafts and drives that were dug by the old timers are still there. On this level a geology tour will give us the different strata’s opal formation - an experience not be missed. Overall, it is a very unique visit. Our last stop for the day is to meet our local opal expert at the Opal Cave. He will show us how the opal is cut and polished. Completing our fascinating day, we return to our motel (Meal inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 5 (BLD): Grawin & Glengarry

No trip to Lightning Ridge would be complete without a trip to The Grawin - and that is where we are heading to day with our local guide.

If you think the ‘Ridge’ is unique, you have to see places like The Pub in the Scrub, The Glengarry Hilton and Sheepyard Flats. Located about 70 kilometres west of Lightning Ridge, The Grawin was established in 1908 with the discovery of the opal at "Hammond Hill". Further discoveries in 1920 at "Richards Hill" put the unofficial village on the map. It was at Grawin that the largest opal 'Light of the World' was found in 1928. Since the first discovery of opal in the region, people have come and gone in tides with each new strike, seeking their fortune in search of the rainbow in the rock. It is believed that a field at Grawin was discovered in 1905, but it wasn’t until the 1970's it became a major field in its own right. The Mulga Rush, which began in 2000, is the biggest opal rush since the Coocoran was discovered in the early 1900's. The Sheepyard area was named after a find of opal near the fence of the old Sheepyards. We enjoy lunch at the Glengarry Hilton. After a great day we head back to Lightning Ridge with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner at the Bowling Club. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 6 (BLD) Lightning Ridge to Cowra

We farewell our hosts this morning and begin our return journey back to Melbourne. Our travels today take us to Gilgandra where we stop for our picnic lunches at the Coo-ee Heritage & Visitors Centre. We’ll also have time for a quick look through the visitor centre before continuing via Wellington and Molong to our final overnight stop in Cowra - the town made famous by the Prisoner of War Camp located here during World War 2. On arrival in Cowra we check into our motel, and then have some free time to freshen up for dinner (Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner in motel / picnic lunch).

Cowra Services Club, Cowra Tel 02 6342 1144 – 1 night

Day 7 (BL): Cowra to Melbourne

Our tour has come to an end unfortunately. Departing Cowra we drive through Young to join the Hume Highway. Our lunch stop is at the Submarine Café in Holbrook. We arrive home later today having had a wonderful 7day holiday to Lightning Ridge. (Meal inclusions: Breakfast in the motel/Light/Lunch)

Tour Price

$2244 per person twin/double share (minimum 35)

$2,319 per person minimum 30

$2,425 per person minimum 25

$2,663 per person minimum 20

Add $380 for guaranteed single room (on application)

Next Steps

To arrange a tour for your club simply contact Alex Corones from Australian Road Journeys on 0488 117 682 with your preferred date of travel – he will do the rest! When everything is confirmed, ARJ will provide printed itineraries for distribution to interested club members.

Read some testimonials from past groups here.

Tour Conditions

A deposit of $350 per person is required to secure your booking. This deposit is fully refundable until 60 days prior to the day of departure. Final payment is required 45 days prior to the day of departure. Bookings cancelled within 14 days prior to the day of departure are non-refundable. No additional cancellation fees apply.

Personal Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

The Itinerary may be subject to change without notice. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, Australian Road Journey’s reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control. Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour. Australian Road Journey’s will not be held responsible for weather based cancellations or those closures made at the venue’s discretion. All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc.