Seems a long way to go, just to turn around and go back. We visited White Cliffs when travelling from Tibooburra to Broken Hill and really enjoyed our 2 days. White Cliffs is a really interesting place, but everything is separated by lotsa distance out there.
We've been there a couple of times, most recently in April on our way up to Tiboorburra, the road is sealed all the way to White Cliffs but no further. There is more than enough to keep you occupied for a couple of days especially if you like to scramble around mullock heaps and like remote areas with a bit of character.
We are currently touring in those parts and are now in Cobar.
We have come from Wilcannia, where we stayed at the new Warrawong on the Darling. Booked in for a night, stayed several. Very peaceful. Grassy powered sites overlooking Darling River billabong. Lovely new amenities. Pleasant walk around the billabong and along Darling edge. About 3kms east of Wilcannia.
Reason I mentoin it is that, while we were there, several other campers went to White Cliffs for a day trip. All found it worthwhile and not too long a day. So that might be another option for you to consider.
We didn't do it, because we have camped at White Cliffs a couple of previous trips. Well worth a visit - although I consider Lightning Ridge the most interesting of the opal mining places.
It was something we wanted to do and depends on your expectations.
We quite enjoyed our 2 days and visited several opal shops although I dont think you
could guarantee all the opals came from there.
The small van park at only $20.00 p/n, showers and toilets quite satisfactory.
A guy comes around mornings and evenings to collect the money.
If you look carefully, you can find very tiny chips of opal as we were shown, in the park, head down, bum up.
Area consists of a pub and grocery shop that seems to stock most goods although we didn't require anything.
The shop also runs the fuel and at the time was $1.70 pl diesel.We topped up at the BP depot in Wilcannia for $1.60.
A nice coffee and opal shop situated nearest to the park and the husband runs a tour of his mine.
Not much seems to come from this mine considering the extent of tunnels involved but quite interesting all the same, then again he may not wish to devulge too much info but he didn' seem to mind the odd fossicker. Certainly dedicated to his mining life.
We are glad for the experience and no, we did not purchase any opals.
Last there 6 or so weeks ago. Left our van unattended at no cost for 9 days during the rodeo while we drove into a friends property 150 ks away on some pretty bad dirt roads. People great, pub great, local store great and the scenery is great if you look at it with the respect it deserves. Birdwatchers dream. Plenty of places within day reach, Lakes, gold prospecting, noodling for opals and wildlife. Love the country in the cool months, not much fun in the hot.
