Dubbo to Lightning Ridge road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The Dubbo to Lightning Ridge drive covers a 353km distance in about 3h50m. Attractions on the road trip route to add to an itinerary include Orana Cactus World in Gilgandra and the Artesian Bore Baths in Walgett.

The Dubbo to Lightning Ridge drive takes you from one the biggest inland towns in New South Wales – and home of a safari-style zoo – to one of Australia’s quirkiest towns. Outback opal mining town Lightning Ridge is certainly distinctive.

Dubbo offers ghost tours, an observatory and a safari-style zoo. To find good quality Dubbo accommodation that suits your tastes, explore the options here.

Dubbo to Lightning Ridge distance and drive time

By car, the distance from Dubbo to Lightning Ridge is 353km, which should make for a driving time of around three hours and 50 minutes. The first leg of this drive is from Dubbo to Gilgandra, along the Newell Highway.

The best attraction in Gilgandra is Orana Cactus World, an astonishing labour of love where more than a thousand species of cacti have been gathered.

Gilgandra accommodation options include the solid Cooee Motel and the Castlereagh Motor Inn, which comes with a small pool.

At Gilgandra, the Dubbo to Lightning Ridge drive switches to the Castlereagh Highway. The small settlements of Curban, Gulargambone and Combara are instantly forgettable.

Click through to next section: Coonamable.