Lightning Ridge the-name,
certainly has a unique origin.

ZZaapp, a man, a dog, and 600 sheep were dead. Lightning Ridge, the-name was created.

At a highway rest area near Lightning Ridge there is a plaque stating the results of a lightning strike around 1870.

This plaque marks the location at which Lightning Ridge derived its name. Sometime around 1870 a shepherd, his dog and 600 sheep were struck by lightning on this spot. From then on, the area was unofficially known as Lightning Ridge. A name also used by Government departments. A village had been proclaimed in 1908. The name was gazetted on 5th July 1963.

I assume the shepherd and all the animals were wet and huddled close together on this ironstone ridge. A very high voltage lightning strike indeed.

The first time I went to Lighting Ridge, a mate and I camped at this rest area for 2 nights. On the first night there was a big electrical storm. This plaque was not in place at that time.

They say lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice. I don't believe it.

the-name back to miners lifstyle