This morning we had to say goodbye to the Stopics. They have to head home to be back at school/work on Monday. We left them still packing up and started on the road to Lightning Ridge.
First stop was in the Pilliga National Park at Sandstone caves.
It was quite strange - it seemed like the land was totally flat all around, but then we turned a corner and we were at the top of a large hill with sandstone cliff behind it and sweeping views in front.
The caves turned out the be pretty cool and we had fun crawling though them.
After a short morning tea/toilet stop in Barradine we then headed north to Pilliga for lunch. We had planned to go for a swim in the bore baths at Pilliga but they were full of screaming kids and a bit scummy so we headed off straigh after lunch. Pilliga did not impress me. There were at least 20 people carmped around the bore baths and it was all scrappy, and then the town itself was just nothing. The public toilets were terrible. I was more than happy to leave this place.
Next stop was Come-By-Chance. I remember this place from one of our road trips when I was a kid. I remember it being a cute little town, but now its a derelict mess which was a real shame.
Straight onto Walgett for afternoon tea.
Then out to Lightning Ridge. We booked into a little cabin - its a litttle smaller than we expected but not a bad little place and right in the center of town. Our first port of call this afternoon was the bore baths. These baths were much nicer than the Pilliga ones, and so hot that Lexie wouldn't even get in.
After a shower back in the cabin Mum and I took a walk across the road to look for Opal rings. I found a couple I liked - ranging from $225 to $1250. We also got to talk to a miner which was quite interesting.
For dinner we walked across the road to the bowling club but decided we weren't overly excited about what was on offer - especially at the prices they were asking - so decided to walk down the road and around the corner to the Italian place instead. This was about the same prices or a little less and had a great selection of gluten free - win!
Ran up the road to the IGA for a bottle of wine to go with dinner when we realised it was BYO.
Walking back to our cabins we saw a whole flock of kangaroos on the next street corner so walked up to see them. So tame.
Pictures of our cabin.
Day 25 - Sun 21th July 2019 - Lightning Ridge
We had a whole day to spend at Lightning Ridge . We started with some washing, then headed out to explore. The first thing we saw was a market so we dropped in - Lots of opals for sale but no great rings.
We stopped at the visitors information for souvenirs and information. The lady told us about a guy who allows fossiking in his mullock heap out along the green door tour so we headed out to see him. Another good dirt road to get there but it was worth it to see The milk crate man.
We got to get our hands dirty looking for Opals of our own.
We headed back to town past some more Opal field.
and back into town for lunch at our cabin. We stopped into a couple more opal shops then tok the blue car door trail stopping at the walk in mine. Dad reckons this is the place where he first saw Mum. I still love the story of how then met on a bus trip to Lightning Ridge and it's been great hearing the stories.
I also managed to find a fantastic opal ring here. The one on my ring finger. I bought the second one later at the shop across from our cabins.
The red car door tour took us past some really cool houses - there are quite a few eccentrics living out here. Supposedly this place is on Air B&B. I want to stay here.
I don't understand this one at all - It's made out of Concrete columns.
This one is very nicely done though - Amigos castle.
Had afternoon tea at the cabin park.
Then dinner back at the Italian restaurant again. Had a great evening sitting out on the patio.
Loving this 25DegC weather in the middle of winter.
Another Kangaroo sighting on the way home.
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