Day 62: Sat 26 Aug 23 - Goodooga to Lightning Ridge

Sat 26 Aug 23 - Goodooga to Lightning Ridge (Towed 75km)

Weather: 5 Deg at Goodooga this morning, reaching 26 Deg at Lightning Ridge. Clear and sunny all day with no wind - more perfect weather. 

I ventured out for my early morning walk as the sun came up, and then returned to the thermal pool for a very warm and soothing dip. It felt warmer than yesterday afternoon, maybe closer to 45 deg, despite the fresh morning air. Unfortunately one old guy collapsed at the edge of the pool and he was unresponsive for a few moments. I was at the other end of the pool, and there were six people standing next to him just looking on, but not one did anything to help him, so I rushed over. By the time I got there, someone else from outside the pool came to help me with him, then he started to come too. We eventually got him sitting up and leaning against a pole while he gathered himself, before he was able to eventually get back to his feet and return to his van. He didn't appear to hit his head, but I suspect he'll be sore for a while, as he appeared to have landed on his shoulder. He looked like he was in his late 70s/early 80s and and these hot springs can be a bit of a trap, especially for people with a heart condition or if they don't drink enough water.

After all this excitement, we were packed and drove away from Goodooga at 8.30, along a very rough and bumpy Bangate Road to Lightning Ridge. On the way, we stopped along the roadside to watch an Emu taking care of her five young chicks, it was very cute. At the Castlereagh Highway turnoff to Lightning Ridge, we stopped at the welcome sign for few touristy photos, then we continued the last 7 km to the visitor Information Centre where we parked and walked across the road to the Lost Sea Opals Jewellery. The purpose of our return visit to Lightning Ridge was to buy Noel an opal ring - a belated Wedding Anniversary gift. During our last visit here, Lost Sea Opals appeared to be a very credible business, and the owner jeweller and designer, Jo Lindsay had some beautiful jewellery on display. Today, the jewellery on display was equally as beautiful, and Noel quickly found exactly what she wanted, so a decision was quickly made. With the most important task of our visit completed, we continued into the main street to the Opal Court Cafe for our morning sustenance. The brew and muffin were very nice. We had booked into the Opal Caravan Park for two nights, and the designated check in time is 2 pm,  but at 11am, we decided we would chance our luck and try to check in early. We need not have worried, because it wasn''t a problem, and we were soon set up on a large gravel site. After lunch, we drove back into town, and I left Noel to get a few things from IGA while I went for a walk and called in to the John Murray's Art Gallery. 

We then returned to the van, where we both had a little nap, and afterwards I went for a short walk, before venturing across the road to Artesian Bore Baths. The temperature apparently is about 41 Deg, but I think it was much hotter. It was so hot I could only stay in the water for no more than five minutes at a time, before having to get out and cool down. Nevertheless, it was very soothing and relaxing as the sunset. Back at the van, we had a drink out doors in the cooling air, before dinner, and - yes, another quiet night. 


Goodooga - Morning Walk

Goodooga - Renovators delight! Well venitilated

Goodooga - Renovators delight! There was a even lawnmower stuck in the long grass 

Emu and her 5 chicks hidden in the grass

Emu and her 5 chicks hidden in the grass

Lightning Ridge 

Lightning Ridge

Opal Court Cafe (with John Murray artwork - his Art Gallery is located next door)

Opal Court Cafe  - A good brew

Our site at the Opal Caravan Park

Noel's Opal Ring - a vibrant lime green, orange and hints of purple Black Crystal Opal (from the lightning Ridge fields) set in 18k Gold with diamonds.
Happy Wife....


Lightning Ridge - John Murray Art Gallery

Lightning Ridge - John Murray Art Gallery

Lightning Ridge - John Murray Art Gallery. No photography allowed inside the gallery

Lightning Ridge - John Murray Art Gallery

Lightning Ridge - Bruno's Restaurant Wall Art

Lightning Ridge - Town Wall Art

Lightning Ridge - Something you wouldn’t see everyday, five very expensive luxury boats being towed into the caravan park in Lightning Ridge. Not sure where they are going, but the people towing them are actually sleeping in the boats which are parked on sites in the caravan park.

Lightning Ridge - Harsh Landscape

Lightning Ridge - Artesian Bore Baths. Very soothing, but very hot

Lightning Ridge - A young emu grazing at the front of the baths.


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