2024 Lightning Ridge

2024 Lightning Ridge

There is nowhere in Australia quite like Lightning Ridge.

7 Days

29 July – 4 August 2024

From $2,720*

Try your luck at finding Opal, as we visit the only place in Australia, and one of the few places in the world, where the highly prized black opal is found. Visiting, Roma, St George, Moree, Glen Innes + 3 Nights in Lightning Ridge – full day visit to the Grawin, Glengarry & Sheepyard Opal fields. — plus, lots of exciting attractions along the way.

7 days
Twin Share / Double pp $2720

Single $3200
Deposit $500

Inc – Home p/up & return*
*Brisbane > Sunshine Coast Regions

Itinerary

Day 1: Sunshine Coast to Roma

Leaving from Noosa/Tewantin at 7.00am we travel to the Brisbane Transit Centre picking up passengers along the way. After departing the Brisbane Coach Terminal 9.30am we continue though the Lockyer Valley and climb the Toowoomba Range and stop for lunch.

Leaving Toowoomba, we continue on to Roma for our overnight stay at the Explorers Inn

Day 2: Roma to St George

After a hearty breakfast we will be met by a local guide and visit the Roma Sale Yards to see firsthand the largest cattle selling centre in the Southern hemisphere on sale day. This is a personalised tour led by a local interpretive guide. Through told and untold stories of early settlers, cattle duffers and merchants you will discover Roma’s past. Uncover how the town transformed, the industries it supports and find our hidden treasures like Heroes Avenue, naturally illuminated stained glass windows, our Biggest Bottle Tree and the Roma Bush Gardens.

Stopping at various spots within the town you will realise the multicultural heritage, find out why Roma became a town, learn about Lake Neverfill’s secrets, as well as being inspired by local sporting heroes and seeing where Harry Redford was trialled.

After enjoying a hearty lunch, we continue our journey… stopping in Surat to visit the Museum, Art Gallery and the Cobb & Co Changing Station. Moving on, we arrive in St George where we will then enjoy afternoon tea and tour at The Anchorage” homestead. We will then settle into the Riverland Motor Inn where we are staying overnight.

Day 3: St George to Lightning Ridge

This morning a prominent local cotton/grain farmer will host us on a visit to his farm, where you will learn about cotton planting, growing, irrigation, harvesting and marketing. You can ask anything about cotton/grain production and water management! 

On the second part of the morning tour, we make a visit to Riversands Vineyards who will take you through a journey on table and wine grape growing. This will cover vineyard pruning, shoot thinning, irrigation, nutrition, and grape picking.

Afterward, we will enjoy full wine tasting including wine appreciation and tips on how they make their wines! You will be well fed with cheese platters or pumpkin soup for entree, gourmet sandwiches for mains and slice for dessert. You can purchase wine packs during the lunch break. 

Then…. We keep travelling .. stopping for a short break in Dirranbandi – then on to Lightning Ridge staying at the Wallangulla Motel for 3 nights.

Day 4: Lightning Ridge

After breakfast we are joined by a local guide and embark on an epic journey to the Grawn, Glengarry & Sheepyard Opal Fields plus visits to 3 bush pubs. Enjoy freshly made scones and jam for morning tea and then lunch at the “Glengarry Hilton”…. Enough said… you will have to be there to find out more!!

Day 5: Lightning Ridge

Today we stay in Lightning Ridge and see the best there is to see of THE RIDGE.… Highlights will be a guided underground tour at the WALKIN MINE, famous AMIGO’S CASTLE, historical miners’ camp GEMSEEKERS PARADISE, an opal cutting demonstration, purchase local opal, commentary & colourful stories on our coach with a local guide

After some “free time” to explore the “Town Centre” art galleries and have a bite of lunch, we go underground to the “Chambers of the Blackhand” mine… forty feet underground to see images carved and painted in the sandstone walls and pillars.

Day 6: Lightning Ridge to Glen Innes

Farewelling “The Ridge” we make our way down the Castlereagh Highway, we travel through fertile farming land to arrive in Moree for lunch. Moving on, we head for Glen Innes for our final night, staying at The New England Motor Lodge.

Day 7: Glen Innes to Home

Homewood bound … we travel the New England Highway, passing through Tenterfield, Stanthorpe to Warwick for our lunch break. We enjoy our last afternoon reminiscing about the special time we have had together during this true “Outback Adventure” – arriving in Brisbane at approximately 3.00pm – we then continue to the Sunshine Coast.

All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times or days of some attractions. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures or inclement weather.

Tour Highlights

  • Guided tour Roma town & Saleyards
  • Cobb & Co Museum – Surat
  • Local Cotton Farm Tour at St George
  • Wine tasting and Lunch at Riversands Winery St George
  • Visit Anchorage Homestead St George
  • Guided tour Lightning Ridge
  • Guided tour Grawin, Glengarry & Sheepyard Opal fields. 
  • Visit John Murray Gallery
  • Visit Lightning Ridge Hot Artesian Baths

Inclusions

  • 6 x Cooked Breakfasts
  • 6 x Dinners
  • 5 x Lunch
  • All entry fees to attractions visited
  • 1 Night – Explorers Inn, Roma
  • 1 night – Riverland Motor Inn, St George
  • 3 nights – Wallangulla Motel, Lightning Ridge
  • 1 Night – New England Motor Inn, Glen Innes

Enquire Now

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You may pay by cheque, credit card over the phone or by Direct Deposit to

Coolum Tours and Travel
Wpac Acc
BSB 034-198
Acc # 666873