Lightning Ridge
opal miners camps

Some camps are quite large, comfortable homes, with elaborate solar power systems, and run a generator twenty-four hours a day through summer to keep the air conditioner operating while others are very humble indeed.

The miners who live on their mineral claims are restricted by Mineral Resources rules on what dwellings are allowable. A dwelling on a mineral claim has to be mobile. No cement floors or posts in the ground. He can have a roof over his van to catch rain water but it has to be attached to the walls of the caravan.

Until about 1985 miners were permitted to build structures on their mineral claims.

Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard communities are the result of miners being permitted to build on a mineral claim for the last 50 years or so.

These are basically shanty towns where miners have started mining a claim and built a shelter to live in, then latter found opal and so extended their dwelling.

No building regulations or submissions to council were necessary. These small communities have evolved from very humble beginnings.

Some dwellings have been well planned and built to specifications.

Today a miner today can submit a rough diagram of the proposed construction to Mineral Resources and build a dwelling that is not to building regulations. No site inspections from the Walgett Shire Council are necessary.

A few dwellings have been well planned and built to building regulations.

There are some unique homes around the fields where some people with a bit of imagination have built their castles.

This is an elaborate mobile dwelling. A camp like this can be moved any where around the field. Gas fridge and 12 volt lighting.

camps back to lifestyle