Places worth discovering

Things to Do

Find attractions, experiences and places to visit. Events remain the best way to see what is happening on a particular date.

Looking for a dated event? Explore Events

21 places

Explore local places

Chambers of the Black Hand

Amusement and Theme Parks

Chambers of the Black Hand

Ron Canlin has created an amazing art gallery at Chambers of the Black Hand. The first level is 11 metres underground with images carved and painted in the sandstone walls and pillars. Everyday is a new experience at Chambers of the Black Hand. There is Jack Sparrow, Shrek, Puss in Boots and Donkey, Terracotta Soldiers from China and a Samurai warrior. The Jungle Room has lions, tigers, chimpanzees and elephant plus the cutest little meerkats. Ron's talent alone will mesmerise you. Ron has created a wall with all the prime ministers of Australia - Australia''s very own Mount Rushmore. There are new archangels plus two awesome Buddha's - the list goes on and on. Once in awhile you will come across something special and this is it, a unique experience. Special Tutankhamen now completed. Chambers of The Black Hand has the only underground shop in Lightning Ridge.

Lightning Ridge NSW

0.5 km away

Beer Can House

Landmarks and Buildings

Beer Can House

Discover outback ingenuity inside Lightning Ridge's remarkable Beer Can House. This quirky landmark celebrates creativity, family and mining heritage. Steel beer cans form the walls of this unusual home. Fruit boxes were cleverly transformed into distinctive windows. A mining puddler inspired another memorable circular window. Every detail reveals resourcefulness shaped by remote outback life. The house was created by the Holms family. Their inventive construction has become a treasured local attraction. Visitors can explore independently or join a guided experience. Stories reveal how practical challenges inspired imaginative solutions. The experience offers an authentic glimpse into Lightning Ridge character. Look closely for surprising details throughout the handmade building. Remember to sign the visitors book inside the fridge. The Beer Can House completes the Green Car Door Tour. Nearby opal fields reveal more colourful mining history. Visitors leave inspired by this extraordinary family achievement.

Lightning Ridge NSW

1.6 km away

Lost Sea custom design

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Lost Sea Opals

Take home some Outback magic. Lost Sea Opals are jewellery makers and designers based in Lightning Ridge, designing and creating high-quality jewellery and contemporary designs using Lightning Ridge Opal as well as other Australian opal and gemstones. Lost Sea Opals are opal producers, mining the finest opal in the world, the Australian Black Opal.

Lightning Ridge NSW

1.8 km away

Bottle House and Mining Museum

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Bottle House and Mining Museum

Bottle House and Mining Museum is a unique structure and an intriguing example of innovative architecture. Originally a miner's camp, the Bottle House now houses an astonishing collection of artefacts and other items of interest. Created in the 1960s, it is made out of bottles from a tiny town called Hebel, which is just over the border in Queensland. Originally made using cement to weld the bottles together. The builder was later to learn that the local clay was best to use, as it was easier to replace any bottle that broke.

Lightning Ridge NSW

1.8 km away

Where opal chooses you .. — Image credit: Down To Earth Opals

Shopping and Markets

Down to Earth Opals

Down to Earth Opals specialises in perfectly finished Lightning Ridge Opal. Over 10,000 opals in stock are displayed in a stunning modern, clean and bright showroom. Hand-made bespoke solid opal jewellery designed by founder Vicki Bokros with stones cut and carved by husband Andrew Kemeny and his son Brett Kemeny. In 2021 Andrew carved the stunning "Fire and Ice" 34.9 ct double-sided solid black opal which is the single most expensive stone ever mined in the history of the Outback Opal Hunters TV series on Discovery Channel. Vicki mined and supplied 26 precious opals weighing a total of 1,447 cts for a one-of-a-kind couture hat designed by milliner Ann-Maree Willett in 2007, which became known as the "Million Dollar Opal Hat", inspired by the Great Barrier Reef. Vicki is also a qualified gemmologist and registered opal valuer with the National Council of Jewellery Valuers. Established in 1991, Down to Earth Opals is world-famous for beautiful, innovative opal products - especially freeform and carved opals. Come and meet the DTEO crew and immerse yourself in the experience.

Lightning Ridge NSW

1.9 km away

John Murray Art Gallery — Image credit: John Murray Art Gallery

Galleries, Museums and Collections

John Murray Art Gallery

The John Murray Art Gallery in Lightning Ridge is the exclusive outlet for original John Murray paintings. One of the outback's favourite painters, here you can view the brilliant landscapes and characters first hand. The contrasting landscapes of the Australian Outback are portrayed in photo realistic detail with humour and whimsy. Head in and browse the large range of original paintings, prints (canvas, mounted, framed, posters), cards and souvenirs.

Lightning Ridge NSW

1.9 km away

Enlightening Ridge Opal Queen Emporium

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Enlightening Ridge Opal Queen Emporium

Enlightening Ridge Opal Queen Emporium is a visitor attraction in the heart of Lightning Ridge, where three generations of the same family have hand-mined opal and black opal from the surrounding fields. Kelly Tishler, the "Opal Queen" from Outback Opal Hunters, still mines and cuts alongside her family today. So ask her where the stone came from and hear how it was found. The Emporium was built around the idea that things worth looking at deserve time. It is a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. There is no queue and nobody watching the clock, and visitors who arrive from the city often stay far longer than they planned. The front room holds crystals, minerals, opalised fossils, botanicals, teas and gifts. Beyond it sits the Sacred Earth Showroom, a cooler and quieter space of solid natural opals, opal art, rare minerals and handcrafted artisan pieces, with seating for those who wish to sit a while with something that took millions of years to form. Plus there's a highly recommended Oxygen Breath Chair session for guests! Visitors can also collect the Sacred Elemental Walk card, a self-guided invitation to explore Lightning Ridge through land and light during their stay. Entry to the Emporium is free and walk-ins are welcome during opening hours. Showroom entry is by donation, for ages 16 and over.

Lightning Ridge NSW

2.2 km away

Sweeney's Arts and Crafts Incorp

Shopping and Markets

Sweeney's Arts and Crafts Incorp

Sweeney's Arts and Crafts was given to the residents of the Opal Fields for a place to sell their huge variety of arts and crafts all handmade. The opals are the attraction of life on these fields and is an everyday conversation. Opal is Australia's National Gemstone and these fields are the home of black seam opal.

Grawin Opal Fields NSW

42 km away

Historical Circle

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Hebel Historical Circle

In the little town of Hebel it feels like time has stood still, leaving behind tales of the Ned Kelly gang, Cobb & Co and old-time dance halls. Hebel's interesting history is brought to life through the public art piece, the Hebel Historical Circle. Out of the red earth, tall timber posts hover over ten illustrated signs; each telling their own story of Hebel's history. Complete with play equipment for the kids, there is something to keep everyone occupied.

Hebel QLD

55 km away

Collarenebri Bore Bath

Spas and Retreats

Collarenebri Bore Bath

Currently closed for the summer season, will reopen Easter 2027. Soak in Collarenebri's artesian bore bath. Warm mineral water melts away road fatigue. Easy access and a welcoming setting make it a relaxing stop under big outback skies. Nearby camping and local hotel rooms make longer stays easy, with riverside sites and a bistro meal and great coffee close by.

Collarenebri NSW

60 km away

Goodooga Great Artesian Bore Baths — Image credit: Brewarrina Shire Council

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Goodooga Artesian Springs

Experience the healing power of hot springs under a starlit night sky whilst you wind down in a warm 40-degree bath and let your body absorb the therapeutic benefits from the springs. Artesian water has been known to Boost Blood Circulation, Reduce Stress, Promote Sleep, Relieve Pain, Heal Skin Problems and has been used for thousands of years as treatment throughout Japan and Europe. Imagine waking up to this! Imagine no more! You now have the luxury of camping right next to this top-class facility in the Outback of New South Wales. Goodooga Artesian Springs is always open, with wheelchair access throughout the baths, showers and toilets. Electric barbecue facilities, dump point and hybrid Gym equipment. Open 24 hours.

Goodooga NSW

62 km away

Dharriwaa Elders Group Exhibition Centre — Image credit: Dharriwaa Elders Group Exhibition Centre

Galleries, Museums and Collections

Dharriwaa Elders Group Exhibition Centre

The Dharriwaa Elders Group is an integral part of the Walgett community. They also manage and curate the Dharriwaa Elders Group exhibition centre and have designed a self-guided walking tour track. Exhibitions have included "Memories of Living Outside Walgett" and "Wugan Gaay", a display of wooden items donated to the organisation by the late craftsman Roy Barker, along with photos of historic wooden items from Walgett held by the Australian Museum. Together with the full set of real-life wooden tools and weapons displayed, this exhibition has provided the community today with a template for continuing this craft. A Keeping Place, the exhibition centre also houses special items that have been gifted to the DEG or placed under permit with the organisation for safekeeping.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

Peaceful junction of the Barwon and Namoi Rivers.”

Natural Attractions

Barwon River

The Barwon River winds through Walgett, offering a true taste of Outback New South Wales. This mighty waterway, part of the Murray–Darling Basin, is a lifeline for the region and a favourite spot for locals and travellers alike. Fishing enthusiasts love casting a line for yellow belly, Murray cod, and European carp. The river's quiet banks provide plenty of space to settle in and enjoy a relaxing day by the water. For paddlers, the Barwon is a paradise. Its gentle stretches and sweeping curves create the perfect backdrop for kayaking and canoeing adventures. The name "barwon" is derived from the Australian Aboriginal words of barwum or bawon, meaning great, wide, awful river of muddy water; and also baawan, a Ngiyambaa name for both the Barwon and Darling rivers. Stories, traditions, and livelihoods remain closely connected to its flows and tributaries. Easy access points make it simple to explore. Boat ramps at Walgett and Collarenebri provide entry for fishing boats, kayaks, and canoes. Visitors can enjoy the simple pleasure of being on the water, watching birdlife, and experiencing the river at their own pace. The Barwon River in Walgett is more than just a waterway. It's a place to fish, paddle, connect, and discover the spirit of the Outback.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

Freedom Ride Park 3 — Image credit: Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Freedom Ride Memorial Park

The Park commemorates the Freedom Rides to Walgett of 1965. It identifies significant events and local Aboriginal people who had a key role in the protests against segregation in Walgett on 15 February 1965. The park is located at an old bank site with a “vault”. The vault itself has artwork installed depicting the ‘Freedom Riders’ and also commemorates local community members, families and the students who took part in those events. The artwork will be linked with QR codes to a website that records the history in more detail. It is a quiet space to sit and reflect and includes walkways, sandstone seating, plaques and plants. The development of the park is in stages, with planning for a covered walkway, gift shop, café and additional native plants.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail - Walgett edit — Image credit: Heritage NSW

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail - Walgett

Visitors can discover the stories behind the people, places and events that have helped shape NSW - where the history happened. A Blue Plaque visit offers more than sightseeing. It creates a direct connection between place and story, turning everyday locations into places of discovery. Each plaque reveals a unique piece of history, encouraging visitors to explore local areas from a new perspective and uncover stories they may never have known. This blue plaque commemorates the 1965 Freedom Ride where a group of university students journey on a bus through country New South Wales to expose and challenge discrimination faced by Aboriginal people. The 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail stops at 8 significant locations along the original 1965 Freedom Ride bus route.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

Road to Opal Fields in Walgett Shire

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Great Inland Way

The Great Inland Way is a highway tourist route that travels inland from Sydney to Cairns and Cooktown. It is a 2,956 kilometre journey along fully sealed roads, and some of the highlights include: Sydney, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Walgett and Lightning Ridge in NSW, and Hebel, Dirranbandi, St George, Surat, Roma, Injune, Emerald, Charters Towers, Atherton, Cairns and Cooktown in Queensland.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

Completed water tower

Landmarks and Buildings

Walgett Water Tower Mural- Jimmy Little

Discover a powerful celebration of music, culture and community. The Jimmy Little Mural honours a beloved Australian performer. His striking portrait transforms Walgett's towering public landmark. Artist Jenny McCracken captures Jimmy's warmth and enduring spirit. Gamilaroi artist Frank Wright enriches the vibrant background. Flowing designs reflect the region's rivers and landscapes. Local totems include the sand goanna, dragonfly and emu. Every detail shares stories of Country and cultural connection. The mural celebrates Jimmy's remarkable musical achievements. It also honours his advocacy and community leadership. His legacy continues through health, education and Reconciliation. Visitors can pause, reflect and admire this meaningful artwork. The mural offers a memorable addition to Walgett's art trail.

Walgett NSW

66 km away

Aboriginal Cemetery

Historical Sites and Heritage Locations

Collarenebri Aboriginal Cemetery

The Collarenebri Aboriginal Cemetery is a significant cultural place. It holds deep importance for the local Aboriginal community. The cemetery has been used for burials since 1907. It reflects distinctive Gamilaroi burial traditions and cultural practices. Many graves feature carefully placed glass and personal objects. These decorations honour the lives and stories of those remembered. Grave alignments reflect family, community and cultural connections. Together, they create a distinctive and deeply meaningful landscape. A simple shelter holds collections of coloured glass bottles. These materials form part of the cemetery's unique cultural character. Bel's Way provides the approach from Gundabloui Road. The cemetery holds important historical and cultural significance. It is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. The site is owned by Collarenebri Local Aboriginal Land Council. Visitors should approach this culturally significant place with respect.

Collarenebri NSW

70 km away

Carved Trees

Landmarks and Buildings

Collymongle Carved Trees

Visit the Collymongle Carved Trees at the Collymongle turnoff. They are a must-see cultural site in the region. The carved trees have strong significance for local Indigenous people. Several trees are on display for visitors to view. They were removed from their original location in the early 1940s. The original site was Banaway Bora Ground. Take time to look closely and reflect respectfully.

Collarenebri NSW

87 km away

Mirri Mirru Yurun — Image credit: Photo: Ian Brown/OEH

Natural Attractions

Mirri Mirru Yurun

Mirri Mirri Yurun, also known as River Bank walk, follows the bank of Culgoa River, threading between majestic red gums. After a wet season, spring sees the ground flourish with wildflowers as well. This is an easy walk but a good one, offering a modest introduction to the park, and a chance to enjoy a stroll without having to worry too much about equipment. Nevertheless, make sure you take a hat and plenty of water. You might want to bring binoculars for a spot of birdwatching too, or, if you’re artistically inclined, an easel with some paints: the landscape is fascinating around here, with rich soil and a stark palette of Australian outback colours. Expect to see gidgee and coolabah trees, with emus and native birds hanging around the waterholes. After your relaxing walk, take advantage of the tables at Culgoa River campground, settling down to finish the day off with an afternoon picnic or a barbecue.

Weilmoringle NSW

99 km away

Culgoa Connellys Track — Image credit: Photo: D Haskard/NSW Government

Natural Attractions

Culgoa Connellys Track

Thanks to the Jolly Swagman and his billabong, coolabah trees are iconic in Australian folklore. Culgoa Connellys track has loads of them – in fact, it threads for 4km through open coolabah woodlands, with birds circling overhead and emus rushing through scrub along the track. After rainy season, the ground blooms with native wildflowers, too. Reached from Culgoa River campground, Culgoa Connellys track is suitable for everybody, from families and grey nomads to experienced bushwalkers. Bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and that all-important sense of adventure, and this easy walk delivers plenty of rewards. While it's Grade 5 for not having directional signage, you'll still find this an easy walk for all ages. If you’re river camping, consider bringing a torch as a great deal of wildlife is most active at night. So, follow the track in the evening for a completely different experience to a chorus of frogs and cicadas. You might like to look up for a bit of amateur astronomy while you’re at it.

Weilmoringle NSW

99 km away

What is happening now?

Search dated events, markets, live music, sport and community activities.

Planning by place?

Use Things to Do for attractions and experiences that are not tied to one event date.