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Old Chum at the Ridge

Hosted by James · Lightning Ridge, New South Wales
4 guests max
50%
·
4 reviews
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Nomadic camping
Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.
Located at the Old Chum Opal Field in Lightning Ridge, about 2km from town. 2500m2 camping block. Visit the world-famous artesian bath for a relaxing dip. Visit the John Murry art gallery. See world-class gems Have lunch at the Lightning Ridge bowling club. Fossic for gems. See the sparks light show or visit one of the underground mines. Visit the club in the scrub or Glengarry Hilton on the grawin opal fields for a fine bush feed.Pitch a tent or pull up your van anywhere inside the boundary markers and set up. It's a free camping site. fossick at the information center or have lunch at the Ridge bowling club, check out the opal cave and Sparks light show, see the Opal center, walk-in mine, Bevens Cactus Garden, check out the Grawin opal fields, and visit the world-famous club in the scrub and Glengarry Hilton, meet local characters.

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Old Chum Site

50%
(4)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 4 · Vehicles under 10 m
Pitch a tent or pull up your van anywhere inside the boundary markers and set up. It's a free camping site. fossick at the information center or have lunch at the Ridge bowling club, check out the opal cave and Sparks light show, see the Opal center, walk-in mine, Bevens Cactus Garden, check out the Grawin opal fields, and visit the world-famous club in the scrub and Glengarry Hilton, meet local characters.
Campfires allowed
No toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
from
AU$39
/ night
for NaN guests

Reviews

50% Recommend4 Ratings · 4 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent ·
Old Chum Site
James was warm and welcoming. We booked super last minute and got directions easily to find the spot. Was super easy in daylight to find. Perfect spot for those totally self sufficient in camping… close to town and hot spring so was amazing.
K
Kelly G.
5 months on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· April 2025
5 m car ·
Old Chum Site
If you want something chip compared to what’s around it’s alright
I
Isaac W.
6 reviews
Not recommend
· July 2024
The Ultimate Outback Goose Chase
Tent ·
Old Chum Site
If you're looking for an adventure that's more "Survivor - Outback" than a peaceful camping trip, this campsite at Lightning Ridge campsite is the place for you. First off, don't even bother booking. You won't find it. It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you find frustration. No signs, no directions — just the wild, untamed badlands of Lightning Ridge. Once you finally stumble upon the elusive campsite area, finding the site itself is an impossibility, you'll be greeted by a landscape that can only be described as post-apocalyptic chic. Think iron shanties, abandoned vehicles, and a skyline dotted with the gaping mouths of old opal mines. It’s like a scene straight out of Mad Max, minus the cool cars and leather jackets. Safety? What’s that? The area is a minefield - literally. One wrong step and you might find yourself discovering an opal the hard way. Forget about communication; the owner is as elusive as the campsite itself. Trying to reach them is like sending a message in a bottle into the desert. In short, if you enjoy extreme isolation, potential injury, and zero customer service, this is the campsite for you. For everyone else, there are much safer and more relaxing places to pitch a tent. Consider this a public service announcement- this Lightning Ridge campsite is an adventure best left untaken.
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Troy W.
8 reviews
Recommends
· March 2024
Tent · With pets ·
Old Chum Site
Thank you James -we had so much fun. It was close to town but far enough to enjoy the amazing sky and natural bush. We will be definitely booking again.
L
Lisa J.
1 year on Hipcamp

Location

Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, AustraliaTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by James K.

Joined in December 2023

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