lightning ridge outback photography

Lightning Ridge is a classic outback town that should be put on everyones list of places to see. Located less than an hour from the Darling River, similar to Broken Hill and Bourke, Lightning Ridge is one wonderful places that will envelope you with country warmth and hospitality. The beautiful Black Opal is only found in Lightning Ridge and like the wonderful gem, Lightning Ridge shows its varying colours depending on how you look at it.

 

lightning ridge blue cans

Looking out the window of the Can House at Nettleton's First Shaft . Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia.

 

lightning ridge orange lift

Beautiful colour contrast typifies many outback scenes; the bright blue summer sky provides a perfect backdrop to the red rust of an opal lifter. The lifter is used to elevate the excavation dirt of the opal mine to the top where it can be worked on. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge census

Lightning Ridge locals are known for their sense of humour and their perspective on life; it is part of the reason it is such a popular place for travellers. This laconic style is seen around the town in many forms; especially some humorous and poignant signs. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 
 

lightning ridge red slither

Lightning Ridge’s beauty comes in many forms and under the big blue Outback sky the colours of the rocks can be simply stunning. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge ridge lines

Lightning Ridge’s beauty comes in many forms. Colours, lines and textures seem to more vivid under the big blue Outback sky. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge up up and away

One of the many Lightning Ridge’s iconic signs that are noticeable when one first enters the town; this particular one is situated in front of the Lightning Ridge Hotel Motel and is iconically adorned with the artwork of John Murray. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 
 

lightning ridge pinky

Lightning Ridge is known for a few things and resourcefulness is high up on the list as are the amount of signs and art pieces that are around the town. If you are going to make a sign out of your car you better make it pink. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge lifter

Beautiful colour contrast typifies many outback scenes; the bright blue summer sky provides a perfect backdrop to the red rust of an opal lifter. The lifter is used to elevate the excavation dirt of the opal mine to the top where it can be worked on. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge the sign

A sign that signals the journey is nearly complete; the sign on the Castlereagh Highway which runs north from Walgett to Hebel which indicates the turn onto Bill O’Brien Way and the short 5km to The Ridge. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia nsw

 
 

lightning ridge corrugated sunset

Beautiful colour contrast typifies many outback scenes especially as the sunsets lines and dusk colours of the lookout at Nettleton's First Shaft are reflected from this disused piece of corrugated iron. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge cable sunset

The end of the day around the ridge provides the photographer with endless opportunities to capture the wonderful colours, contrasts, textures and lines created by setting suns luminous effect upon the many relics and discarded material around the Ridge. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge rusticity

A discarded steel bin provides a perfect relic for Outback photography; with the setting sun highlighting its rustic beauty. Lines and dusk colours of the Lightning Ridge lookout at Nettleton's First Shaft are reflected from this disused gravel bin. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 
 

lightning ridge gone mining

Photographic opportunities and interpretive experiences abound in Lightning Ridge; Coopers Cottage is an iconic Ridge feature on Morilla Street, the main street. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge to the top

Rustic Lifter... Beautiful colour contrast typifies many outback scenes; the bright blue summer sky provides a perfect backdrop to the red rust of an opal lifter. The lifter is used to elevate the excavation dirt of the opal mine to the top where it can be worked on. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge red can

Beautiful colours and contrast typifies many outback scenes An iconic Lightning Ridge scene enhanced by a rusty can on a ‘Star Picket’ fence post as part of a safety fence around the opening of an opal mine. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 
 

lightning ridge welcome colours

Lightning Ridge is one of the top tourist destinations in outback Australia, and you can’t miss the turnoff. The welcome is especially beautiful when enhanced by the beautiful outback sunrise colours The sign on the Castlereagh Highway which runs north from Walgett to Hebel which indicates the turn onto Bill O’Brien Way and the short 5km to The Ridge. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge crow's journey

To many, the crow is a sign of a personal journey; for some it is a good omen while for others it is not so. A sign that signals the journey is nearly complete; the sign on the Castlereagh Highway which runs north from Walgett to Hebel which indicates the turn onto Bill O’Brien Way and the short 5km to The Ridge. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia nsw

 

lightning ridge goddess-a

Lightning Ridge outback Australia ‘The Goddess of 1967’ starring Rose Byrne

 
 

lightning ridge goddess-b

Lightning Ridge ‘The Goddess of 1967’ starring Rose Byrne. Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge corrugated iron

Few things typify the Australian Bush better than the building material of Corrugated Iron. When aged and in the dusk or dawn like, it displays the mst wonderful hues, colours, textures and lines for the photographer. Here, the trusty ‘corrugated iron’ has been used on the external walls of the replica church built for the movie ‘Goddess of 1967’ filmed in Lightning Ridge in 2000. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge rear window

There is something irresistible about old cars to a photographer and there are many to explore around Lightning Ridge; they all seem to come to life with the last hours of sunlight and reveal their form and beauty to the photographer.

 
 

lightning ridge classic holden

‘Old Holdens never die......’ When cars weren’t made of plastic; the timeless beauty of a Holden dashboard bathed in the afternoon sun. There is something irresistible about old cars to a photographer and there are many to explore around Lightning Ridge; they all seem to come to life with the last hours of sunlight and reveal their form and beauty to the photographer.

 

lightning ridge mineral claim

Lightning Ridge is known for a few things and resourcefulness is high up on the list as are the amount of signs and art pieces that are around the town. One sign around Lightning Ridge that i to be taken seriously is the one that marks one legal right to a mining claim. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia.

 

lightning ridge silt cracks

The cracking clay of the silt flow at Coocoran Opal field; Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. The water flows from the ‘Agi’ and forms silty mud flows. Here, the silty clay can dry and crack. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 
 

lightning ridge silt flow

The cracking clay of the silt flow at Coocoran Opal field; Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. The water flows from the ‘Agi’ and forms silty mud flows. Here, the silty clay can dry and crack. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 

lightning ridge silt lines

The cracking clay of the silt flow at Coocoran Opal field; Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. The water flows from the ‘Agi’ and forms silty mud flows. Here, the silty clay can dry and crack. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 

lightning ridge flow down

The cracking clay of the silt flow at Coocoran Opal field; Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. The water flows from the ‘Agi’ and forms silty mud flows. Here, the silty clay can dry and crack. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 
 

lightning ridge agi vent

TThere is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. The water flows from the ‘Agi’ and forms silty mud flows. Here, the silty clay can dry and crack. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 

lightning ridge blue rust a

There is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge blue rust b

There is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 
 

lightning ridge pieces

Due to the nature of washing opal, the sides of the old cement mixers wear though and must be patched. There is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge chain drive

A close-up of the chain-drive; There is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 

lightning ridge red white and blue

A close-up of Opal Agitator; There is something wonderful about old machinery under a bright blue Outback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback NSW, Australia

 
 

lightning ridge drive chain

There is something wonderful about old machinery under a blight blue Autback sky to a photographer and there seems to be an endless supply of photographic opportunities around Lightning Ridge. Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge international

Opal miner’s ingenuity; the old cement mixers are hooked up to old tractors to provide the power-train for the opal washing process and the old ‘inter’ is the preferred choice by many; Part of the process of Opal mining is to rinse the dirt from the raw opal and that is done with the use of old cement mixers known as agitators. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 

lightning ridge miner's shade

The opportunistic nature of the Australian Outback is well known as it provides a mean for survival in this land of boom and bust, floods and droughts. This tree has sprung up next to an Opal Agitator (’Agi’) and would provide this miner some welcome relief from the extreme heat and sun. Coocoran Opal Field. Lightning Ridge, Outback Australia

 
 

'Though you've roamed the whole world over, seen most all there is to see, there are scenes you've never dreamed of, in the stone of mystery.' Laurie Hudson, Cumborah Postmaster 1947-1965. There are many 'must see' destinations in Outback NSW and Lightning Ridge is certainly that; home of the beautiful Black Opal and like the wonderful gem, Lightning Ridge shows its varying colours depending on how you look at it.

At Lightning Ridge, one can experience underground sculptures, bottle-houses, antique lamps, castles, astronomy monuments, unique gardens, hills named 'Lunatic', 'Pig' and Bald', a pub crawl to 'The Pub in the Scrub', 'The Glengarry Hilton' and 'Sheepyard', and even tour underground mines. And how do you find all these thing?.. look out for a colored Car Door. Make sense? Thought not...it will when you go though....

There are many 'must-see' destinations in Australia and Lightning Ridge is certainly one that should be put on the list when touring Outback Australia.

The Ridge sits on the worlds richest deposits of Black Opal but that is not the only gem that Lightning Ridge lays claim to; it is one of the most welcoming, wonderfully eccentric, and 'must-see' destinations of Outback Australia. It is so welcoming that many people touring outback NSW who visit Lightning Ridge end up stay... not for a few days (although many do) but to live. It is one of those places.

The 'Ridge' will welcome you with classic country hospitality but it will certainly not be 'more of the same'. They are a unique bunch of characters out there and they pride themselves on a wonderful and heartfelt eccentricity; it is something about the pioneering spirit that allowed this area to develop and many visitors become so enamoured with the place that a 3 day holiday can turn into a lifetime of pleasure for the many who are so captivated by the place they stay.

 

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