Lightning Ridge, New South Wales

Lightning Ridge
Fossicking field in Lightning Ridge
Lightning Ridge
Coordinates: 29°26′0″S 147°58′0″E / 29.43333°S 147.96667°E / -29.43333; 147.96667
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
LGA
Location
Established1922
Government
 • State electorate
 • Federal division
Elevation
170 m (560 ft)
Population
 • Total1,946 (2021 census)
Postcode
2834
CountyFinch
Mean max temp28 °C (82 °F)
Mean min temp13.9 °C (57.0 °F)
Annual rainfall470.7 mm (18.53 in)

Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in northern New South Wales, Australia. Part of Walgett Shire, Lightning Ridge is situated near the southern border of Queensland, about 6 km (4 mi) east of the Castlereagh Highway. The Lightning Ridge area is a centre of the mining of black opal and other opal gemstones.