FAQ’s

We are open 7 days from 9am to 5pm.  Last descent is at 3:45pm.

During the hotter months the mine closes.  This normally occurs for the whole month of February.  Occasionally we may for forced to close due to natural disaster such as floods, limiting access to Lightning Ridge and Chambers of the Black Hand. The bookings will be closed out for this period.

Yes, booking is essential and can be completed online.  For any special requests please call the office.

It is a legal requirement that each visitor sign a waiver before entering the mine.  Parents can sign on behalf of their children.

You are welcome to take as many photos of the artwork or anything in the mine that you wish. Although no photographs are to be taken while on the stairwell.

Children must always be supervised by an adult.

We request that you do not touch the carvings as they are a soft rock and damage easily. Please respect this unique experience. People found touching or damaging the artwork will be ejected from the Chambers.

There are no bathrooms underground. Please avail yourself of the facilities before you descend.

No. For your safety, please do not leave the gravel area.

It is important that you stick to your allocated booking entry times, especially in our peak seasons.  We will try to accommodate late arrivals as best we can.

The self-guided sculpture tour entry times are every 15 minutes.  This gives us time to check you in, sign waivers and go through the induction process.  The guided opal mine and package tours run three times a day.  Please review the available booking times on the website.

The self-guided sculpture tour is untimed.  You are free to roam the the sculpture level and opal shop for as long as you wish.  The guided opal mine tour is 1 hour and the package tour is 1 hour for the guided opal mine tour and untimed for the self-guided sculpture tour level.

No. You will be issued with an underground map. Please make yourself familiar with the location of the stairs, and emergency escapes.

Unfortunately at this stage there is no wheel chair access. 

Not at this stage but we are in the process of getting one installed.