Lightning Ridge & Regional NSW 2021

This morning we will depart and travel through Gulgong where we will visit the Gulgong Pioneers Museum is one of the best-known folk museums in New South Wales. Explore this vast museum, uncovering the history behind the miner’s cottage, doctor’s surgery, Cobb & Co inn and much more!

On arrival in Dubbo we will enjoy lunch before visiting the heritage listed Old Dubbo Gaol followed by Dundullimal Homestead. A guided tour of this historic homestead, with remaining slab house and stone stables, bears testimony to the hardships and conditions of colonial life.

Accommodation Comfort Inn Blue Lagoon, Dubbo

Dubbo is home to the beloved Taronga Western Plains Zoo, where the animals live in an open range parkland setting behaving very much as they would in the wild. The zoo is one of the largest in the world covering some 300 hectares and their Black Rhino breeding programme is the only institute breeding this fascinating species in the Australasian region. We are joined by a guide who will board our coach and provide us with an insight into the many different animals and how the zoo operates.

Late morning, we arrive at the Royal Flying Doctor Base Education Centre to discover the lifesaving work the RFDS does for people who live, work and travel in remote Australia. After lunch we will depart and travel to Gilgandra where we will have time of Fellowship with BCA Field Staff Ayumi & Peter Tamsett and Alfrene & Andrew Wright.

Accommodation: Gilgandra

We enter the vast western plains, with boundary fences becoming further and further apart. Keeping your eyes peeled for the elusive mirage in the far distance, we pass through remote outback towns arriving in Walgatt for lunch where we will hear from George & Carmel Ferguson. Reaching the opal mining town of Lightning Ridge, you’ll then get to soak todays travels away in the hot mineral waters of the artesian bore baths. Rich in potassium salts, it’s reported to be beneficial to sufferers of rheumatism and arthritis. After a relaxing soak we head to our hotel feeling rejuvenated and ready for tomorrow’s exploring. We will be joined for dinner by BCA Field Staff Kurt & Rebecca Langmead and George & Carmel Ferguson who will help us understand what it is like to minister in the Outback.

Accommodation: Lightning Ridge Outback Resort

One of the exciting features of a BCA tour is the chance to worship with local Christian people who are also appreciative of the support network that forms a vital part of their living, and this morning we will worship in the community church. Following morning tea and a chance to connect with the local people, we will enjoy a fascinating tour of the Chambers Of the Black Hand. The “Black Hand” cave is even equipped with a lift, so all can enjoy this remarkable underground opal mine and museum. Unique in Australia it was created when a former miner turned artist cut and sculptured dozens of characters and animals into the walls of the old mine. Today there are numerous biblical entities to find including a depiction of the Last Supper. This is a must see in Lightning Ridge.

Accommodation: Lightning Ridge Outback Resort

We farewell “the Ridge”, heading through Collarenebri on the Barwon River, with our destination being Moree. As we drive you will see evidence of cotton farming and the growth of the wheat farming regions. Upon arrival in Moree we will be joined on the coach by a local guide to give us a tour of the town. After check-in we have some free time and the chance to enjoy the mineral baths for which the town is famous. The notel we’ve chosen has its own indoor thermal baths which capture the artesian water from a private bore. There is also a cold-water outdoor pool if you are brave!

Another day driving through farming regions - the huge size of the tractors gives an indication of how large some of these holdings are. Enjoy a morning break in Narrabri, famous for cotton growing and processing, before continuing to Gunnedah, home of Dorothea Mackellar’s ‘My Country’. Tonight’s destination is the picturesque Hunter Valley.

Accommodation: Mercure Hunter Valley Resort

We journey home but not before a visit to the beautiful Edogawa Commemorative Garden and Arts Centre. This cleverly designed Japanese garden on the foreshore of Brisbane Water is well worth seeing. Enjoy a guided tour, and after lunch, you’ll also have time to browse the art gallery, gift shop, and the very reasonably priced pottery studio. Our journey may be at an end but we can feel blessed having connected with so many wonderful Christians and seeing God’s Word in action.