There Is Something About Lightning Ridge

OPAL, yes definitely opal. Lightning Ridge is one of the few places in the world where the precious and highly prized black opal is found. It is about 770 kilometres north-west of Sydney in the outback of NSW, has a populations about 1200. During summer time, the temperature can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, and in winter, can go as low as 3 degrees.But for me and my boys, there is something very special about this place. Even though take so long to get there but that doesn't stop us to keep wanting to visit again.

We have been twice there, and would like to go there again next Easter holiday. The first time we went there, I didn't expect too much to see or do. I thought that the boys would be so bored after few moment fossicking. But, guess what....they sat and dig the big pile of leftover from the opal mine for hours, for nearly everyday during we stayed there. They really enjoyed it and had so much fun. We did the self guided tour as well in to the old opal mine. How interesting that in the old days, without the modern machinery, they still managed to get the opal.

Another place that we liked was a bore bath. It's a natural hot spring pool that very popular among the locals and the tourists. Its really soothing and relaxing to dip in the pool after a long day full of activities. Bottles house is another interesting place to visit. The boys were so fascinated with this very well looked after house.

The last but not the least, is having barbeque on top of the hill, while watching the gorgeous sunset. Its just magical.

Here are some pictures during our visit to Lightning Ridge
The magnificent sunset from the hill

Ari was trying his luck to find the black opal :)

The old cattle station where we stayed

The very common view in Lightning Ridge

During the self guided tour to the old opal mine

Having dinner on top of the hill

In front of the bottle house


The second visit there, we brought a friend of mine from overseas that happened to have holiday as the same time as we were going, and , I was so glad that she really enjoyed it.