Leaving Roma, we travel to Nindigully Pub for an early lunch. “The Gully”, is Queensland’s oldest hotel located in its original conditions and position. From the late 1800s, the pub was a Cobb and Co Coach change over station before becoming what it is today. We stop in Thallon to view the incredible silo titled ‘The Watering Hole’. The mural portrays the Thallon district – featuring the Moonie River, an amazing sunset and the area’s agricultural base. It also recognises members of Thallon’s indigenous community by the inclusion of a scarred tree. We then travel through Dirranbandi and Hebel before arriving in Lightning Ridge. With its stark and scarred landscape, this town has a peculiar fascination for visitors. Famous for magnificent opals, the town is home to the unique black opal, a rare and luminous gem mined from the surrounding plains. It is the only place in Australia (and one of the few places in the world) where the highly prized opal is found. We visit Down to Earth Opals, who mine, design and specialise in selling to the world one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces and top gem quality loose solid opals.