Welcome to Lightning Ridge, a fascinating outback town known for its rich opal mining history, quirky attractions, and rugged landscapes. One of the best ways to explore this unique region is through its famous Car Door Tours, a self-guided adventure that takes you off the beaten track to discover hidden gems, historical sites, and local legends.

The Car Door Tours are color-coded and marked by painted car doors along the way, making navigation easy. Here’s a breakdown of the tours and estimated travel times:

Green Car Door Tour – 30 minutes
Yellow Car Door Tour – 45 minutes
Blue Car Door Tour – 20 minutes
Red Car Door Tour – 20 minutes
Orange Car Door Tour – Full-day trip (57 km from Lightning Ridge)

We recommend doing the four smaller tours (Green, Yellow, Blue, and Red) in one day, leaving the Orange Car Door Tour as a separate full-day experience. Read on for a detailed guide to each tour!

Green Car Door Tour

Drive Time: 30 minutes | Road Conditions: Unsealed (avoid when wet)

Nebia Hill – A gravel pit rich in petrified wood, jasper, quartz, agates, carnelian, and clear topaz.
Wild Orange Tree – A tree with a 25m root system, often used by miners as a surface indicator for opals.
Opal Tree – A handcrafted tree covered in opals. A must-see, featuring Richard, a quirky local with fascinating stories!
Nettleton’s First Shaft Lookout – Offers historical insights into Lightning Ridge’s mining past.
Stone Labyrinth – A unique structure built in just six hours by four people.
Beer Can House – A creative home made from beer cans, featuring a guest book inside an old fridge.

Yellow Car Door Tour

Drive Time: 45 minutes | Road Conditions: Unsealed

Big Opal Mine – Self-guided mine tour and opal jewelry store.
- Tour Costs: Adults $20 | Children $5 | Family $50
- Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm (7 days)
Miners Cottages – Stone cottages reflecting the early opal mining era.
Sandstone Art Gallery – Check if it’s open for a glimpse at local artwork.
Chambers of the Black Hand – A spectacular underground gallery of intricate wall carvings.
- Tour Costs: Adults $40 | Children $10
- Opening Hours: 9:30am – 12:30pm & 3pm – 5pm
Australian Opal Centre – A unique two-story underground museum.
Abandoned Mine Shafts – Scattered around the area with safety fences.
Black Opal Heritage Shed – A historical site linked to the Australian Opal Centre.
Old Chum’s Track – A scenic walk through opal fields leading to the Nettleton heritage precinct.
Graveyard of Rusty Treasures – An intriguing collection of vintage trucks and cars.
Lunatic Lookout – Site of the world’s largest black opal, “Halley’s Comet.”
Movie Set – Home to a corrugated iron church built for The Goddess of 1967.
Stanley the Emu – An 18m tall sculpture made of recycled materials.

Blue Car Door Tour

Drive Time: 20 minutes | Road Conditions: Unsealed

Opal Mine Adventure – Walk-in mine tour.
- Tour Prices: Adults $20 | Children $8 | Family $50
- Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (7 days)
Bevan’s Cactus Gardens – Featuring over 2,500 cactus varieties and a large black opal collection.
- Entry Cost: Adults $10 | Children Free
- Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (7 days)
Opal Mine Fields – Often referred to as "the suburbs," offering an authentic mining landscape.

Red Car Door Tour

Drive Time: 20 minutes | Road Conditions: Unsealed

The Plaque – Marks the first settlement of Wallangulla (Old Town) from 1906.
Stone & Bottle House – A unique private residence built from stone and bottles.
The Ridge Castle – A quirky castle nestled in Lightning Ridge.
Sim’s Hill – The highest point in the district at 170m above sea level.
KFC Drive-thru – Infamously always closed!
Astronomers Monument – A DIY observatory with a unique backstory.
Amigos Castle – A private ironstone castle built single-handedly.
- Entry Cost: Adults $5 | Children $2.50
- Opening Hours: 9am – 4pm (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat)
Len Cram Park – Dedicated to an opal specialist and author.
Kangaroo Hill Complex – A chatty ex-miner offers souvenirs and gifts.
- Entry Cost: Adults $5 | Children 50c
- Opening Hours: 10am – 4pm (Mon – Sat)
Bottle House – A home made entirely of bottles, filled with collectables.
- Entry Cost: Adults $10 | Children $5

Orange Car Door Tour

Drive Time: Full-day trip | Distance: 57 km from Lightning Ridge | Road Conditions: Unsealed, often corrugated

This tour is a must for outback adventurers, offering a glimpse into real mining communities and legendary bush pubs.

Club in the Scrub – A genuine miners' sports bar with meals and historical photos.
Stone Castle – Built by miner Alex Czinner over 45 years.
Opal Dirt Dumps – Giant mounds of opal dirt where lucky visitors might find hidden treasures.
Glengarry Hilton – The first pub on the opal fields, offering cold drinks and friendly locals.
Sweeny’s Cooperative Crafts – A nonprofit supporting local artists and charities.
Sheepyard Inn – Known for its fresh bread baked in a historic train carriage from Taronga Zoo.
War Memorial – Built by Vietnam veteran miners to honor their service.

Final Thoughts

The Car Door Tours of Lightning Ridge offer an unforgettable way to experience the town’s rich history, quirky attractions, and breathtaking outback scenery. Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a unique road trip, these tours provide a fantastic glimpse into the opal mining world and the eccentric charm of Lightning Ridge.

Pack plenty of water, bring a camera, and get ready to explore one of Australia’s most fascinating outback towns!

Exploring Lightning Ridge: The Ultimate Car Door Tour Guide