Below is a collection of our most frequently asked questions that hopefully will cover your query. Should you have a question that is not answered here, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We also suggest you read the Booking Terms & Conditions page where we provide more details about our tours and Health & Safety requirements.
Solo Travellers
We welcome solo trailers on our tours. However, due to our limited 20-seat capacity and the way our bookings are generally received, advance bookings are normally accepted for a minimum of two and more guests.
Solo travellers are welcome to contact us, and single seats may be offered depending on existing bookings and seat avalibility.
Summer Break (End of October till around Easter)
We are offering our tours during our season from around Easter till end of October. Outside these times it is usually too hot out here that we feel we can offer you a true and enjoyable experience.
If you are still planning to come during the hot summer months please contact the Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Centre for the most up to date opening hours of our tourist attractions and shops here in town. A lot of them will run limited hours or might also close down for a few weeks (especially during our hottest month out here in January and February).
I’ve heard the flies are bad in summer. Is this true?
In the warmer months there are quite a lot of flies around. A lot of people find these to be quite annoying. It is advisable that you bring along a fly net so these little guys don’t drive you crazy!
What clothes do I need?
In summer shorts and a shirt is all that is really needed. Our temperatures can be excessive and this can impact fair-skinned people. Also bring a sun hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Our winter days are generally mild and most of the time you can still wear shorts and a shirt during the day. However, the nights and early mornings can be very cold or the weather can suddenly change and it is recommended to bring a jacket or jumper - just in case.
Regardless of what tour you are coming, we do recommend enclosed shoes due to going underground and/or walking on uneven ground/gravel and dirt tracks/roads/areas and undulating terrain.
What else do I need to bring?
Sunscreen, camera (plus spare fully charged batteries for people who love to take loads of pictures during the day), mosquito repellent (summer), any medication required, water bottle.
How physically fit do I have to be?
We don’t expressly set any age restrictions and our tours are a mix of being on the bus, getting on and off it, light walking around. If walking is an issue it can be kept to a bare minimum (please contact us in advance for advice if you feel this could be a problem). Regardless, good health is important and it is very important that any pre-existing medical conditions are discussed with our staff at the time of booking
I am not a meat-eater/I do eat Gluten-free – Will that be a problem?
Our menu on our FULL DAY TOUR and EVENING TOUR is designed to cater to both carnivores and vegetarians. You must inform us at the time of tour booking if you have any special dietary requirements. We regret to say that we are not able to cater to vegan dietary requirements but we are happy to offer a discount for bringing your own morning tea and lunch. Please inform us prior to coming on tour with us.
How many people will be on each tour?
We have two fully air-conditioned buses. With our Toyota Coasters, we can carry a maximum of 20 guests per tour and bus.
Where will I be picked up from?
Our TOWN TOUR departs 7 days a week all year round at 9 am (2 pm only for group bookings until further notice) if we have a minimum of two adult bookings. We will pick you up from all accommodation places in Lightning Ridge, the Visitor Information Centre or any other street address in town. Unfortunately, we are not able to pick up from Lorne Station, Carinya Station or from some of the Air BNBs out of town. We will give you the option of a few different places we can meet you in town for your pickup. We asked you to wait 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour (from 8.45 am for your 9 am tour and from 1.45 pm for your 2 pm tour) outside the reception area of your accommodation place or outside the Visitor Information Centre.
For our FULL DAY TOUR, we will pick you up from all accommodation places in Lightning Ridge, the Visitor Information Centre as well as any other street address in town. Unfortunately, we are not able to pick up from Lorne Station, Carinya Station or from some of the Air BNBs out of town. We will give you the option of a few different places we can meet you in town for your pickup. We asked you to wait 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour (from 8.45 am for a 9 am start of your tour) outside the reception area of your accommodation place or outside the Visitor Information Centre.
Please inform us at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour if you would like to change your pick-up point/location.
Special Dietary requirements and allergies?
Our menu is designed for both carnivores and vegetarians. If you have any special dietary needs or allergies, please contact us to discuss this at the time of booking as you may need to provide your own supplementary food/ snacks depending on your specific dietary need or allergy. We can cater for vegetarian dietary requirements if organized prior to our tour but unfortunately, we are not able to cater for vegan dietary requirements.
OUTBACK OPAL TOURS operates in some remote parts of Australia where certain foods are not easily available and therefore we cannot accommodate all dietary requests. At times, produce and products may be substituted as supply dictates and OOT cannot guarantee the ingredients contained in these alternatives.
Whilst all of our guides are trained in remote touring, they are not nutritionists and neither they nor OUTBACK OPAL TOURS can advise of all ingredients contained in each food served on tour and are not responsible should an allergic reaction occur. If you have any allergies, please carry the necessary medication. Many dietary requirements are catered for in our standard menus.
Multiple tours booking discount/package deal
If you come on any of our tours you will receive our loyalty customer card when getting on our bus. If you are booking a second tour with us you will receive $5 off per person.
Are there restrictions on alcohol on the bus?
Yes, there are…unfortunately. Much of the area we travel to is controlled by the NSW Police and therefore restrictions occur. Please contact our office prior to your tour for further information.
We have a group of 20 wishing to do your tour. Can you assist us?
We certainly can make a booking for your group of 20 guests. Please contact us for availability.
We can also cater for Fly-in groups with pick-ups/drop-offs from the airport. We can organise Tag-along tours for clubs and large groups and/or provide our experienced tour guides on your coach.
Send us an email to info@outbackopalours.com.au or simply give us a call on 02 6829 4110.
Can I charge my phone / camera?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide access to charge your devices on our buses/stops and therefore we do recommend bringing a power bank if you take a lot of pictures.
What happens if it rains (during my tour)?
Our tours will continue despite rain as long as it is safe to do so. In case we have days of rain prior to the tour we will inform you as early as we can if we have to cancel a tour (due to road conditions out on the Opal Fields).
