Chambers of the Black Hand

Useful Information

Location:	Lightning Ridge
Open:	Carvings only: APR to NOV daily 9, 13. DEC to MAR daily 9. Full Tour: APR to NOV daily 10:30, 15. DEC to MAR daily 10:30. Additional times by appointment. [2011]
Fee:	Carvings only: Adults AUD 25, Children (6-16) AUD 10, Children (0-5) free. Full Tour: Adults AUD 30, Children (6-16) AUD 10, Children (0-5) free. [2011]
Classification:	Opal Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Trevor Hudson, Cheryl Hudson, Ron Canlin, PO Box 145, Lightning Ridge NSW 2834, Tel: +61-2-68290221, Fax: +61-2-68290223.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Geology

Description

Chambers of the Black Hand is a 100 year old mine where the black opal, for which Lightning Ridge is famous, was mined. The tunnels are located 12 m below ground and open into vast chambers. The tour includes an introduction into the working conditions and the techniques of opal miners in former times. Tours are guided by Trevor Hudson, who came to the town 25 years ago with his wife. They stayed and became miners, and Treor became a very successful prospector. His wife Cheryl Hudson operates the store.

This place is also the location where Ron Canlin creates his art. The former diver worked five years on oil rigs and came to Australia in 1980. He moved to Lightning Ridge in 1982, mined numerous claims and finally purchased The Flash Newspaper, the local newspaper. Since he sold the newspaper in 1996 he works again as a miner and as an artist creating sculptures which can be seen at the underground tours.