Tour FAQ’s
General FAQ's
Find the answers to your questions. If you don’t find what you are looking for, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help
What are your opening hours?
Bookings essential
Open 7 days, 9am to close.
Hours may vary.
Check website bookings for availabilities.
Open half days: Nov to Jan.
Closed during February & natural disasters.
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.
Do we have to book?
Yes, booking is essential and can be completed online. For any special requests please call the office.
Why do I have to sign a waiver?
It is a legal requirement that each visitor sign a waiver before entering the mine. Parents can sign on behalf of their children.
Can I take photos?
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.
Can my children attend the tours alone?
Children must always be supervised by an adult.
Can we touch the carvings?
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.
Are the bathrooms underground?
There are no bathrooms underground. Please avail yourself of the facilities before you descend.
Can we leave the gravel area?
No. For your safety, please do not leave the gravel area.
What if I'm running late?
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.
How often do the tours run?
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.
Is there a time limit for the tours?
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.
Will I get lost undergound?
No. You will be issued with an underground map. Please make yourself familiar with the location of the stairs, and emergency escapes.
Is there wheelchair access?
Unfortunately at this stage there is no wheel chair access. Some of the connecting passageways are too narrow.
Is there a lift?
Yes there is now lift access
What is the temperature like underground?
On the sculpture level, it averages about 16-17 degrees, on the opal mine level it averages 13-15 degrees. For those who are doing the mine or package tour, we recommend wearing long sleeves or a light cardigan.