LIGHTENING RIDGE

Well - this place is certainly a VERY INTERESTING place.

"Stanley" the emu made from VW car bodies welcomes the travellers on the Castlereagh Highway

We booked into the Opal Caravan Park which is just a short stroll along from the 24 hour hot thermal baths which are great to soak in after the sun goes down.

We managed to travel all the "Car Door" coloured routes around Lightning Ridge to view all the history of mines and self made buildings.  Very quirky. We watched the sunset up the top of a hill overlooking west where this building made from cans and bottles and coloured glass.

Also up at the hill is this "rock mase"

Around town are some John Murray art works and his gallery is well worth a stroll through to view his quirky art.  My favourite is his "Budgie Smugglers"

We took a tour down into the Chambers Black Hand Mine.  There one can view hundreds of sculptures - some still works in progress, as well as viewing the mine shaft tour and purchasing a piece of opal set in beautiful jewellery.

A few steps to go underground or get into a small cage and go down.

The Opal Caravan Park has entertainment from Susie and I forget her mates name.  What a hoot they are.  Certainly know how to entertain the families and they have different shows each night.

This family partook in a comedy skit.  Just hilarious.

Their rendition of a Aussie Haka.

Along the Yellow Car Door Tour you come to this mine -

Like a heap of mines now, one can see endless wrecks of vehicles and equipment once used above and below the mine sights.

This church was built out here for a movie. Cannot remember the name of it!

Yes, Lightning Ridge is certainly well worth a visit for its individuality.