Lunatic Hill

The ridge above Three Mile Flat was a skyline of windlasses by 1910. It is mentioned in the Walgett Spectator June 1911 edition as “producing well at 60-70 ft. on Three Mile Hill”. Gradually, however, the name Lunatic Hill came into full use as recorded in a letter addressed to Stuart Lloyd, author of The Lightning Ridge Book, published in 1967.

Author Ion Idriess mined there in 1909-1910. His book Lightning Ridge, published in 1940, is a colourful account of mining activities in the heyday of the Three Mile.

The Lunatic Hill open cut is left open as a token to the old timers. One can look into the drives and even see props, all remnants of early mining. The levels of the earth are defined clearly from various angles. In sharp contrast, the reclaimed land to the south represents modern mining techniques and is a reminder of the regulations important to the future of the opal fields. A kilometre-long fence marks it as the largest opal mining open cut in New South Wales.

Article: Research by Russell Gawthorpe and Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, pp. 58-59; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 70.