The Ridge Castle
Experience the life of an outback opal miner in this truly unique and quirky castle in Lightning Ridge.
Experience Rustic Royalty in your Castle Kingdom
Stay in the iconic Ridge Castle, one of Lightning Ridge’s most photographed mining camps. You will have the entire castle to yourselves.
See extensive views from your turret. Marvel at the amazing stone work. Enjoy some of the quirky features including the use of car doors for windows. Instagram heaven!
Though you will feel like royalty, remember this is a genuine mining camp in the Ridge. So while you won’t get five-star accommodation, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Prince Peter & Sir Roy
The Ridge Castle Hosts
Dame Rebel
The Ridge Castle Manager
Experience Rustic Royalty in your Castle Kingdom
Stay in the iconic Ridge Castle, one of the Ridge’s most photographed mining camps. You will have the entire castle to yourselves.
See extensive views from your turret. Marvel at the amazing stonework. Enjoy some of the quirky features including the use of car doors for windows. Instagram heaven!
Though you will feel like royalty, remember this is a genuine mining camp in the Ridge. So while you won’t get five-star accommodation, you will have an unforgettable experience.
Prince Peter &
Sir Roy
The Ridge Castle Hosts
Dame Rebel
The Ridge Castle Manager
Genuine Outback Experience
Sleep in an Australian Castle
Quirky outback castle with a dungeon and turret, perfect for classic Lightning Ridge sunsets.
Comfortable Living Quarters
The Ridge Castle sleeps up to 7 people and features outdoor fireplaces.
Miners Camp Experience
Staying in a miners camp is an unforgettable experience – note you won’t find 5-star amenities.
The Spirit of Lightning Ridge
Stay off grid in one of the key attractions on the famous Red Car Door Tour.
Book Your Stay
Unlike most castles worldwide, the Ridge Castle is available to the public for accommodation. For rates and availability, we use the online booking service, Airbnb. You can book here now.
Genuine Outback Experience
Sleep in an Australian Castle
Quirky outback castle with a dungeon and turret, perfect for classic Lightning Ridge sunsets.
Comfortable Living Quarters
The Ridge Castle sleeps up to 7 people and features outdoor fireplaces.
Miners Camp Experience
Staying in a miners camp is an unforgettable experience – note you won’t find 5-star amenities.
The Spirit of Lightning Ridge
Stay off grid in one of the key attractions on the famous Red Car Door Tour.
Book Your Stay
As with most castles worldwide, the Ridge Castle is mostly closed to the public. It is on rare occasions we open it up for guests. You can check availability or book now.
Gallery
1 Queen Bed
5 Single Beds
Kitchenette
All Linen Provided
Outdoor Fireplaces
Barbecue
Solar Power
Turret
Free and fast Wifi
Top Guest Ratings
Flatscreen TV
Royal Photoshoot
Amenities
1 Queen Bed
5 Single Beds
Kitchenette
Free and fast Wifi
Solar Power
Outdoor Fireplaces
All Linen Provided
Flatscreen TV
Highly Rated
Turret
Barbecue
Royal Photoshoot
Opal Fossicking
Car Door Tours
Grawin Opal Fields
Chamber of the Black Hand Opal Mine
Artesian Bore Baths
Water Theme Park
Amigos Castle
Indoor Heated Diving Pool
John Murray Art Gallery
Cactus Nursery
Big Opal Underground Tour
Lightning Ridge Historical Museum
Things To Do
Opal Hunting
- Fossicking
- Grawin Opal Fields
- Big Opal Underground Mine
- Chamber of the Black Hand Opal Mine
Local Culture
- John Murray Art Gallery
- Car Door Tours
- Amigos Castle
- Lightning Ridge Historical Museum
- Cactus Gardens
Swim & Relax
- Artesian Bore Baths
- Water Theme Park
- Indoor Heated Diving Pool
- Olympic Swimming Pool
Ridge Castle Kingdom
This is the kingdom of the Ridge Castle. You can book your accommodation to stay in the Ridge Castle here.
Lightning Ridge
NSW, Australia
Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in north-western NSW. It’s home to the world-famous black opal, Australia’s national gemstone. Lightning Ridge is a key tourist destination for those looking to experience life in the outback.
Dining
There’s a variety of restaurants in Lightning Ridge.
- Piccolos Italian Restaurant.
- Brunos Italian Restaurant.
- Hungry Spirit Thai.
- Lightning Ridge Bowling Club.
- The “Club in the Scrub” – Grawin Opal Field.
Shopping
Khan’s SUPA IGA is located at 33 Opal Street.
Getting to The Ridge Castle
The Ridge Castle is located off the grid on Simms Hill, approximately 1km of dirt road. No worries for cars – even if it is raining. Even our Royal Carriage has never been bogged.
If you use GOOGLE Maps and type in – The Ridge Castle, Lightning Ridge, you should find it easily using their directions!
However, just in case the directions are below.
Drive all the way through Lightning Ridge until you come to a T intersection, turn RIGHT (Gem St). You will drive over a couple of speed humps past the local Pool/s and come to crossroads.
Turn LEFT (Pandora St). Roughly 700m up this road you will see a turn to the right with a Red Car Door with a #1 on it – turn right here (the sign is on the right hand side of the road, a little bit off the road).
This road is ROUGH so please take your time. Drive up the hill a couple of hundreds metres and take the next left at Red Car Door #3.
Follow this around to the left (it’s basically a big cul de-sac). There’s large potholes and other bumps along this road so please take care!
You’ll go past some camps (people’s houses) and a little house made of bottles and stone and then you’ll come to the Ridge Castle (at the end of the cul de-sac). We are at Red door number 4.
Location
Clyde River Cottage
Ridge Castle
Lightning Ridge
NSW, Australia
Lightning Ridge is a small outback town in north-western NSW. It’s home to the world-famous black opal, Australia’s national gemstone. Lightning Ridge is a key tourist destination for those looking to experience life in the outback.
Dining
There’s a variety of restaurants in Lightning Ridge.
- Piccolos Italian Restaurant.
- Brunos Italian Restaurant.
- Hungry Spirit Thai.
- Lightning Ridge Bowling Club.
- The “Club in the Scrub” – Grawin Opal Field.
Shopping
Khan’s SUPA IGA is located at 33 Opal Street.
Directions
The Ridge Castle is located off the grid on Simms Hill, approximately 1km of dirt road. No worries for cars – even if it is raining. Even our Royal Carriage has never been bogged.
From Lightning Ridge
If you use GOOGLE Maps and type in – The Ridge Castle, Lightning Ridge, you should find it easily using their directions!
However, just in case the directions are below.
Drive all the way through Lightning Ridge until you come to a T intersection, turn RIGHT (Gem St). You will drive over a couple of speed humps past the local Pool/s and come to crossroads.
Turn LEFT (Pandora St). Roughly 700m up this road you will see a turn to the right with a Red Car Door with a #1 on it – turn right here (the sign is on the right hand side of the road, a little bit off the road).
This road is ROUGH so please take your time. Drive up the hill a couple of hundreds metres and take the next left at Red Car Door #3.
Follow this around to the left (it’s basically a big cul de-sac). There’s large potholes and other bumps along this road so please take care!
You’ll go past some camps (people’s houses) and a little house made of bottles and stone and then you’ll come to the Ridge Castle (at the end of the cul de-sac). We are at Red door number 4.
The Castle custodians are Roy and Peter Counsell (Sir Roy and Prince Peter). They have been visiting Lightning Ridge for over 50 years and lived there fulltime for over 10 years whilst mining unsuccessfully!
They are still frequent visitors to Lightning Ridge – often flying there from the NSW south coast in their ultralight aircraft.
Your local host is Rebel Black, a full time resident of Lightning Ridge.
Rebel is also a founder of the “Rural Woman” and the “Hungry Spirit”.
Rebel’s mission in life is to thrive, heal and evolve and to inspire others to do the same.
All have a wealth of local information so you get to see the best of Lightning Ridge.
Our Story
The Castle custodians are Roy and Peter Counsell (Sir Roy and Prince Peter). They have been visiting Lightning Ridge for over 50 years and lived there fulltime for over 10 years whilst mining unsuccessfully!
Their parents, King Edward and HRH Shirl, were residents of the Ridge Castle for around 35 years. Roy and Peter are still frequent visitors to Lightning Ridge.
Your local host is Rebel Black, a full time resident of Lightning Ridge.
Rebel is also a founder of the “Rural Woman” and the “Hungry Spirit”.
Rebel’s mission in life is to thrive, heal and evolve and to inspire others to do the same.
She has a wealth of local information so you get to see the best of Lightning Ridge.
Is there WiFi?
Yes. There is fast broadband and entirely free to our guests.
Is the Ridge Castle air-conditioned?
Though we are on solar power, it is not strong enough to run the split system air-conditioner or heaters. For summer however, there are mobile water coolers/fans. In winter, plenty of blankets. The secret is to dress warmly inside or enjoy an outside fire.
Do we need to bring linen?
No. All beds are fully made up. Apart from warm doonas, each bed also has a spare blanket.
We also include pillows, towels and bathmats.
Do you accept pets?
What cooking facilities are there?
The kitchen has a microwave, fridge and enough kitchenware to cook up a small banquet. There is a gas stove but the oven does not operate.
Can we use the wood-fired stove inside?
The wood fired stoves and water systems not to be used.
What is the bathroom like?
There is an internal basic bathroom with hot water for the shower or bath. If you want to live like a local, we suggest you use the nearby artesian bore baths for a hot shower and delightful soak.
Is there a working mine on-site?
There is a working mine on site which you cannot go down. (We may be on site mining however so will be more than happy to show you any of our finds! If not, you can see all the dirt we dig up instead….).
Is there mobile reception?
At the Ridge Castle, as in the whole of Lightning Ridge, mobile reception can be spotty. In our experience, Telstra has good reception. Optus comes and goes. Other carriers generally doubtful.
Can we have a BBQ or open fire?
There are two fireplaces, one in the turret (perfect for keeping you warm during sunset) and another in the Palace Grounds.
We supply a small quantity of firewood. Fires must only be in the provided fire buckets. Of course, any fires are subject to local fire restrictions.
How cold does it get?
Winter nights in the Ridge can get cold. There is no internal heating apart from personal blankets and warm beds. Dress warmly! Our solar stored energy is not strong enough to run a heating system.
How do we get to the Ridge Castle?
The Ridge Castle is located off the grid on Simms Hill, approximately 1km of dirt road. No worries for cars – even if it is raining. Even our Royal Carriage has never been bogged.
If you use GOOGLE Maps and type in – The Ridge Castle, Lightning Ridge, you should find it easily using their directions!
However, just in case the directions are below.
Drive all the way through Lightning Ridge until you come to a T intersection, turn RIGHT (Gem St). You will drive over a couple of speed humps past the local Pool/s and come to crossroads.
Turn LEFT (Pandora St). Roughly 700m up this road you will see a turn to the right with a Red Car Door with a #1 on it – turn right here (the sign is on the right hand side of the road, a little bit off the road).
This road is ROUGH so please take your time. Drive up the hill a couple of hundreds metres and take the next left at Red Car Door #3.
Follow this around to the left (it’s basically a big cul de-sac). There’s large potholes and other bumps along this road so please take care!
You’ll go past some camps (people’s houses) and a little house made of bottles and stone and then you’ll come to the Ridge Castle (at the end of the cul de-sac). We are at Red door number 4.
Is the whole property ours?
There are three styles of accommodation in the kingdom of the Ridge Castle – each is separate however. In addition to the Ridge Castle, there is the “Knights Quarters” and the small “Oasis”. You may see the other guests but all the residences are separate.
Is the Ridge Castle family-friendly?
Though the Castle could accommodate an invading army, we allow a maximum of 6 guests. Children under 16 years old need to be supervised. The Ridge Castle is located on opal mining fields. Part of the experience of staying here is that normal building and housing standards are “outback style.”
Is there a washing machine?
There is no washing machine but there is a laundromat in town offering a drop off/pick up service.
FAQ
Is there WiFi?
Yes. There is fast broadband and entirely free to our guests.
Is the Ridge Castle family-friendly?
Though the Castle could accommodate an invading army, we allow a maximum of 7 guests. No children under 16 years old please.
Is the Ridge Castle air-conditioned?
Though we are on solar power, it is not strong enough to run the split system air-conditioner or heaters. For summer however, there are mobile water coolers/fans. In winter, plenty of blankets. The secret is to dress warmly inside or enjoy an outside fire.
Do we need to bring linen?
We also include pillows, towels and bathmats.
Do you accept pets?
What cooking facilities are there?
The kitchen has a microwave, fridge and enough kitchenware to cook up a small banquet. There is a gas stove but the oven does not operate.
What is the bathroom like?
There is an internal basic bathroom with hot water for the shower or bath. If you want to live like a local, we suggest you use the nearby artesian bore baths for a hot shower and delightful soak.
Is there a working mine on-site?
There is a working mine on site which you cannot go down. (We will be on site mining however so will be more than happy to show you any of our finds! If not, you can see all the dirt we dig up instead….).
Is there mobile reception?
At the Ridge Castle, as in the whole of Lightning Ridge, mobile reception can be spotty. In our experience, Telstra has good reception. Optus comes and goes. Other carriers generally doubtful.
Is the whole property ours?
There are three styles of accommodation in the kingdom of the Ridge Castle – each is separate however. In addition to the Ridge Castle, there is the “Knights Quarters” and the small “Oasis”. You may see the other guests but all the residences are separate.
How cold does it get?
Winter nights in the Ridge can get cold. There is no internal heating apart from personal blankets and warm beds. Dress warmly! Our solar stored energy is not strong enough to run a heating system.
Can we have a BBQ or open fire?
There are two fireplaces, one in the turret (perfect for keeping you warm during sunset) and another in the Palace Grounds.
We supply a small quantity of firewood. Fires must only be in the provided fire buckets. Of course, any fires are subject to local fire restrictions.
Call
Rebel – our local manager:
0419 639 380
Book Online
Follow The Ridge Castle
Follow The Ridge Castle
Enquire
Contact
Call
Rebel – our local manager:
0419 639 380
Book Online
Follow The Ridge Castle
Follow The Ridge Castle
Enquire
