Home | Links | Search | Updates | FAQ | About | Contact Roads | Signals | Roadsigns | Towns & Cities | International | Publications | Sign Drawings

Lightning Ridge, one of NSW's most northerly towns lies just off the Castlereagh Highway, 75km north of Walgett. The town is well known for opal mining and jointly serves as the centre for the surrounding primary industries. Plenty of opal activities on in and around the town - designated fossicking areas, underground mine tours and opal cutting demonstrations can be arranged. Also of interest are the local Hot Artesian Bore Baths, opal shops in town and the flying bus aeroplane near the Lightning Ridge hotel motel.

The town apparently gained its name after a shepherd, dog and 600 sheep were killed in an electrical storm while sheltering on a nearby ridge.

• Population: 2284 1
• Postcode: 2834
• Location: 744 km northwest of Sydney
• Main Roads: Castlereagh Hwy B55
• Radio Stations: FM: 2CUZ (96.1 MHz), 2VM (92.9 MHz), 2WEB (90.5 MHz), ABC RN (93.7 MHz), ABC Western Plains (92.1 MHz), Now FM (91.3 MHz), Opal FM (89.7 MHz), SBS Radio (94.5 MHz), Sky Sports Radio (98.5 MHz) and Three Angels Broadcasting Network (87.6 MHz). AM: ABC Central West (549 kHz), ABC New England North West (648 kHz) and ABC Southern QLD (711 kHz)

View Larger Map

Preview:	Description:
	Lightning Ridge Town Centre: Looking west along Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge, December 2003. Image © Michael Greenslade
	The Opal Cave: The Opal Cave on Morilla Street, featuring some unique artwork, December 2003. Image © Michael Greenslade

1 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census Quickstats

Last updated: 09-Dec-2020 22:34

This site © Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking here.