Our Lightening Ridge Trip Part One

 Several years ago we were supposed to do a day trip to Lightning Ridge from Moree but things didn't go as planned...

This year we made it and had three wonderful days exploring the town and the opal fields.

Day One

Leaving Sydney on a Saturday morning had us boarding our Coach Holidays and Tours coach and heading over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and on to Ourimbah for morning tea and to get the rest of the travelers. Lunch was in Muswellbrook at the Hunter Belle Cheese Cafe. Then it was on to Tamworth, with a quick stop at Wallabadah, to look at the First Fleet park.

But all was not well on our coach, the air-conditioning decided to  play-up, much to the annoyance of all. Our driver tried several things, including meeting a mechanic on the side of the road, and got it working a bit better to get us into Tamworth. He also ordered a replacement coach to be driven up from Sydney. 

Day Two.

Our new coach was decked out in the colours of the Manly Sea Eagles, we couldn't loose it! The air-conditioning worked. Off to Lightning Ridge we went, with stops at Gunnedah for morning tea and Narrabri for lunch. Our driver was also our guide and he was great at explaining things about the different places we went through or stopped at on the whole trip.

Arriving in Lightning Ridge and our motel for the next four nights, we unpacked and the adjourned across the road to the club for a drink and dinner.

Day Three.

Paul and I were up early and after breakfast we walked around the town and saw the wonderful street art, mostly done by John Murray. 

Today we were joined by a local guide and taken out to where Charles Nettleton discovered the first opal, in 1902. Being mindful of the fact that there are open shafts in the area, we were able to explore the maze and beer can house and see the view from the hill. 

The flies were very friendly and our driver had the right idea.

                                                                            Beer Can House.

After seeing the diggings we went to Bevan's Cactus Nursery, which was very informative, with a wide variety of plants.

After lunch we were free to explore the town some more and Paul and I visited the John Murray Gallery and an opal shop, where I purchased an opal.

Here are two links, one for Lightning Ridge   and the other about Opals

More to come.