Opal festival an international drawcard

Front Opal Queen 1st place Jade Smith, back row l-r: 2nd place Kiara Barrett, 3rd place Dorothy Dossa Kelly and people’s choice winner Tiarne McBride. Photo TWH

The Lightning Ridge Gem and Opal Festival drew visitors from across the region, across Australia and around the globe, with more than 6640 people streaming into the Outback town for the four day event. The festival has become one of the biggest opal trading events on the international gem circuit, with traders from the United States, China, Europe and Australia all vying for the best and brightest stones.

It’s not just about the traders though, with thousands of travellers heading to The Ridge to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the exquisite beauty of our national stone. Every motel and caravan park was filled to capacity and parking in the township’s CBD was bumper to bumper. […]

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