Lots to see and do at the "Ridge" as locals call it, make sure you go to Grawin and have a drink at the pubs in the scrub. Hot pools are great any weather. white Cliffs also great,
White Cliffs not worth the rough trip in (in my opinion). "The Ridge" was one of the most interesting places I've been. Did the underground carvings, all the car door tours, "pubs in the scrub" - just an eyeopener, did the hot pool every night, got some "John Murray Emu Stickers" for my van. Stayed at the Opal park for several days. Good meal at the club.
DD. Plenty of trees at the Ridge. Not an ugly place but not Toorak either. When were you last there?
We did the trip to White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge a few years ago, thoroughly enjoyed both. Lake Peery at White Cliffs was good for birdlife and in the town some good art work and underground tours. In Lightning Ridge we were there for the Opal Festival, heaps of opal dealers and plenty to see and do, especially the Car Door tours and the art gallery. Well worth the trip there, and if you don't go you won't know!
Have a thought for remote communities and the impact negative comments can have on vital tourism. A town may not be to your taste but even the smallest provide vital services to locals and passing trade , particularly for grey nomads exploring a bit off the track.
The solar parabolic dishes were interesting to see at White Cliffs when we were there. It was Australia's first solar power station & used both solar & steam to generate power.
For all the "knockers", all places have their interesting (to some) & boring bits and we often find it difficult how people can live in those conditions, & climate BUT - "the big bit of colour might be in the next shovelful of dirt". We have friends who live at Coober Pedy, Marla - all have made a living out of opal but are still keen to find the "BIG ONE"!
Keep looking DD & perhaps you'll find a Cinnamon Quail-thrush! Its cousin, the Chestnut-breasted Q-T lives in a rough enough habitat but the Cinnamon likes to rough it a bit more.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!