Guide to Walgett New South Wales Australia

Walgett Shire is located on the productive black soil plains of northern New South Wales and covers an area of 22,000 square kilometres. It is home to eight magnificent rivers, perfect for fishing and other recreational activities. The main industries include sheep and cattle farming, wheat, cotton and various other crops, as well as, mining the black opal, Australia’ s national gemstone.

The shire comprises a number of towns and villages including Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri, Burren Junction, Carinda, Grawin, Cumborah, Cryon, Come-by- Chance and Glengarry.

The geographical and administrative centre of Walgett Shire is the town of Walgett. Walgett means ‘the meeting of two waters’ and is where the Namoi River meets the Barwon River

The main visitor attraction is Lightning Ridge, the home of black opal and a place for a special cultural experience, where fifty different nationalities live and work together in this remote outback-mining town.

There are many other things to see and do including fishing, bird watching, opal mining and fossicking, sacred aboriginal sites, wheat and crop harvesting, pig hunting, native animals in their natural habitat or just relaxing watching beautiful sunsets and clear night skies.

There have been archaeological discoveries that show life in the area up to 40,000 years ago with evidence of tools that were used by man some 20,000 years ago.

Aboriginal culture has a special place in the Shire with significant historical and cultural sites dotted across the entire area.

Sporting and recreational pursuits are a high priority in the shire and most local communities support some facilities including golf courses, tennis courts and lawn bowls.

Schooling is also well served in the area with one secondary high school, two central schools, seven primary schools, seven preschools and a mobile children’s service.