We set off for Lightning Ridge with a promising sunny day but it soon deteriorated along with the road conditions to cloudy sky with intermittent showers and a roller coaster road which rearranged a few things in the caravan cupboards. We arrived a little after lunch, so it was off to the information centre to find out the best sights. We acquired a map of the area along with a set of instructions to follow the coloured car doors which is an initiative of the Lightning Ridge Tourism Assoc. for self drive sightseeing. Lightning Ridge is best known for it’s black opals, so you can imagine the large number of shops selling opals to the tourist’s.
Today the weather has been lovely and warm with lots of sunshine, so it was off to follow the trails around the area going past underground Opal Mines, the open cut mine, Amigo’s Castle, Art Galleries , House of Bottles, and The Hot Artesian Baths. This afternoon was spent lazing in the Hot Baths at a cool 41.5 degrees, could not keep all the body immersed for long. It was an entertaining time listening to the old local miners chatting and voicing their opinions, especially on politics, best to keep your mouth shut ! I was wondering why people kept looking at me on our return to the caravan park, only to look in the mirror and see a bright red beetroot face , had certainly cooked myself.
Tomorrow we head further north crossing the border into QLD to St George.
Hope Bazza bought you a nice big opal! Sounds an interesting place to visit - much warmer than home right now.
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