The Sheepyard opal field is located approximately 75km west of Lightning Ridge, NSW and forms part of a triangle of opal fields consisting of Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard. As part of our winter fossicking activities, we decided to try for some Lightning Ridge opal by noodling in the opal mining overburden dumps. This is easier said than done. If you stay at a caravan park in the “Ridge” you have a 75km drive plus return journey out to the significant dump areas each day. Given the current fuel costs, this amounts to quite a few kilometres over a week.

Earlier in our trip when we were discussing our next stop with fellow travellers around the campfire, the discussion revealed that free camping was available out near the dump area. We decided to investigate the free camping.

On arrival at Lightning Ridge, we booked into a caravan park for two nights as we needed to restock our supplies, do some washing, pay bills etc. The second day we journeyed out to the opal fields around Grawin to check out the dumps and investigate the possibility of camping out.

The roadway between Lightning Ridge and Cumborah is now fully bitumised (completed this year) and is bitumised to the Grawin turnoff. This makes it easier to tow the caravan out to the field.

Mining area roads are gravel in reasonable condition and driven at the right speed, are suitable for caravans and the like.

With the access problems solved, we found three areas suitable for camping out. The first one was behind Grawin General Store, next to the “Pub In The Scrub”. The Store has a very good range of groceries and supplies suitable for the mining area and fuel is also available there. The “Pub In The Scrub” is an outback pub and is the Golf Club headquarters. The gold course looked quite challenging with its sandscrape greens. A toilet is available for camper’s use but for all other items you need to be self sufficient. CDMA telephone contact can made, otherwise a public telephone is available near the store.

The second area is beside the overburden dumps where you need to be totally self sufficient.

The third area is adjacent to the Sheepyard Pub, and this was the one we chose to stay at. While looking for a campsite, the Publican, Ted King and his wife, Sue, took the trouble to invite us in and point out what was available to us campers and as tourists/fossickers in the area.

Ted has levelled an area near the pub, making it suitable for camping. Showers and toilets outside the pub give ready access for those camping. Ted also has accommodation available if required. The accommodation area is known as the Barracks. While the toilets are typical of those in the outback areas, the male and female showers are very functional. You need to gather your own wood, which is abundant in the area, and light the chip heater which heats the water very quickly. This took me back to my childhood when this was the only type of hot water service available. At the end of the day, after noodling on the dusty dumps, the shower was much appreciated. The cost for the shower was $2 as the water has to be purchased by the pub owners and transported in, so we felt this was a fair price. There is no charge for camping. Of course, being near the pub had other benefits. CDMA phone coverage, satellite TV in the pub and a cold drink if you needed one. Very handy. You need to supply your own power and gather firewood for a campfire as you would in any other free camp.

Ted and Sue made us feel welcome and comfortable. Ted also supplied directions to other overburden dumps in the vicinity, two within 0.5km. The main dump is about 5km away.

The Sheepyard Pub has an active role in the mining community and is a meeting place for the community. A theme that runs within the pub and the community is respect for our ex service men and women. Visited ex service people are invited to sign their names on whiteboards, which are displayed throughout the pub along with armed service and Australian flags. The Memorial Committee along with the Walgett RSL has constructed a War Memorial honouring those serving in all wars. We were proud to be invited to attend the Vietnam Long Tan day service. This was quite unexpected given that we were in the centre of the opal fields.

Noodling on the dumps was quite intense as many travel from Walgett and Lightning Ridge each day. Sometimes as many as 25 people, some, professional miners, trying to find something to sell so that they may continue to mine. Some claimed to average $300 per week and us hobbyists tried to find something to cut and strangely enough, most of us found something of value. One person claimed to have found enough about four weeks ago to buy a new Holden car, which we saw. Two stones we saw were beautiful green, blue and red as only opal can reflect and reputedly valued around the $2000 plus mark. Very inspiring and motivating stuff!

Noodling on the dumps is an interesting experience and can be rewarding. It’s fair to say that it can be hard work if you make it so, but there’s a lot of dirt between the good stones.

Our stopover at the Sheepyard was very comfortable and yielded a few suprises. We will return.

For further information, contact Ted & Sue King at the Sheepyard Pub.