Lightning Ridge Tours and Attractions

Chambers of the Black Hand

More and more tourists are flocking to the new tourist attraction in Lightning Ridge where you can go 11.2 metres underground to explore hand carved images sculptured out of the sandstone walls and pillars of an old opal mine.  Then tour an old opal mine that was started over 100 years ago.

Expect to see..

Native animals, Lord of the Rings characters, biblical entities and dinosaurs like you have never seen them before. Carved on the wall of an opal cave, these captivating images have been created by local opal miner Ron Canlin. Ron has transformed a number of drives (tunnels) of an old opal mine into an interactive work of art. Countless carvings are set in sandstone on the walls.

You'll be amazed...

The Egyptian chamber has humorous hieroglyphics and is a replica of an Egyptian tomb. Atlas holds the world while Adam supports the roof of the entrance to the working mine - another feature of the tour. The Last Supper which took six months to complete and the pondering Nostradamus, which took five hours to carve, are depicted in magnificent detail and is testimony to the razor sharp skill and patience of Ron.

Discover... 

It has taken the miner three years to complete the carvings so far and the evolving process will see even more sculptures and chambers added to the tour.  The mine was converted into a privately managed tourist attraction which offers guided tours, interactive display and underground shop. 

Ticket Prices:

Chambers of the Black Hand is managed by Cheryl and Trevor Hudson.  The tourist attraction is open daily and offers small-guided tours. Local guides are experienced opal miners and who are extremely knowledge on the area and can provide insight to the time and dedication put into creating the sculptures.

Please phone ahead for bookings. A refreshing cuppa is included and you can enjoy hearing a yarn or two from local guides.

Admission: $20 per person