Nettleton’s First Shaft Lookout
This lookout is a tourist attraction on the McDonalds Six Mile opal field, on the Green Car Door Tour. The lookout features an uninterrupted view of the western horizon, offering a wonderful glimpse of the sunset all year ‘round.
On the top of the hill is a genuine rectangular mineshaft from over a century ago, dug by hand by a miner. This shaft is a monument to Charlie Nettleton, founder of the black opal industry. While this may not be his first shaft, it was in this vicinity that Nettleton dug under the employ of Joe Beckett’s mining syndicate.
A century-old mineshaft dedicated to Charlie Nettleton.
Ultimately, Charlie’s mineshaft turned out to be a “duffer” — no opal was found — after digging to 50 feet!
The syndicate soon disbanded and Nettleton moved over to the Nobby field to work with Jack Murray. Together, they gathered a parcel of opal, which was taken to to White Cliffs where Nettleton’s connections enabled him to sell the opal to buyer Ted Murphy, thus starting the opal rush to Lightning Ridge.
Nettleton’s First Shaft Lookout commemorates Charlie Nettleton’s contribution to Lightning Ridge and opal history.
On the northern edge of the lookout is the Abraxas, or the meditation maze. It appeared overnight about fifteen years ago, and has been meticulously maintained ever since. Take a walk through the labyrinth and help clear your mind on the opal fields!
The Beer Can House (which also includes bottles).
Also nearby is the famous Beer Can House, a sturdy building made mostly out of tin cans! An architectural rival for The Bottle House, and worth a visit to experience some unique Lightning Ridge design and construction.
The Green Car Door Tour is a self-guided tour, mud maps are available from the Lightning Ridge Visitor’s Information Centre with proceeds supporting the tour infrastructure.
