Lightning Ridge is an Opal Mining Town, world famous for Black Opal. It is a sincere wish that people who visit us go away with an understanding of how the opal is found then cut and polished. The beauty of the finished Opal and the stories of how and where some of the world famous name stones were found and sold. Black Opal is what Lightning Ridge is all about but it is also about the way of life, the friendliness and indeed the colourful nature of this small town and how a small community can pull together in hard times.

Val & Robina has seen the Community grow from a few hundred to the present population and seen a great many changes, but Black Opal Tours in the space of just a short tour tries to cover some of the highlights for visitors to catch a glimpse of the mining life in the Ridge - past and present. For those looking for a longer and more comprehensive view of Lightning Ridge and the opal industry you could try the JOLLY SWAGMAN TOUR or the WALTZING MATILDA TOUR. Both tours offer a full day of discovery and amazement.

Experience counts...!
Black Opal Tour guides are locals who have had many years experience either Opal Mining or been involved in one of the many facets of the Industry for a great many years. All, like Val and Robina have caught the Opal bug and have opal fever and stayed on, while others have been born here and swear they will never leave.

Depending on what your needs are we have a tour to suit you, these range from 3 hours to a full day tour.

Please choose a tour for more information,

1. The Miner's Trail Tour (3 Tours Daily)
   
2. The Jolly Swagman Tour (Min. 10 required to run tour)
   
3. The Waltzing Matilda Tour (Min. 10 required to run tour)

or visit the TOURS homepage for summaries on each tour.

The Members play chicken run from 8.30am Fridays until 3pm and other competitions are Wednesdays, Saturday and Sundays. Ring the Golf Club on (02) 68 290 006 for starting times & more information.