Lightning Ridge is a town whose population is difficult to estimate due to the many opal miners and residents that come here for just part of the year. The population varies between about 2600 and 5000 people. Lightning Ridge has a daily air service on weekdays from Sydney via Dubbo and is 3 and half hours drive north of Dubbo and 760km North West of Sydney.

Lightning Ridge is famous for its black opal of which it is the premier centre for its production. There is a thriving tourist industry and many sights including mine tours and a pool complex that includes a wave machine, Olympic size pool and soon to be opened Olympic size dive pool. There is also an outdoor hot spring pool known as the ‘bore bath’ which is a popular spot to relax at night. There is an Easter show which includes goat races down the main street.

There are two Medical Centres in town; the Ridge Medical Centre with two doctors and the St George Medical Centre with one doctor.   

The Lightning Ridge Multi Purpose Service has an on call roster for acute presentations, and average up to 10 per day. The on call roster is shared between the two doctors at the Ridge Medical Centre.

Lightning Ridge qualifies for an annual Medicare Retention Grant of $20,000 after 2 years (defined as 8 active quarters).

There are lots of accommodation options in Lightning Ridge for locums which includes motels and Bed and Breakfast accommodation.