Walgett Facts

About Walgett

The Walgett Shire encompasses a large area of north west NSW taking in the towns of Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri together with a number of smaller communities.

The Shire derives a great deal of income from tourism particularly the many visitors who visit Lightning Ridge, the home of the rarest and most valuable opals in the world – the Black Opal. Among the events in the Shire are the Lightning Ridge Black Opal Festival in July, the Bulldust to Bitumen Festival in August and many other attractions.

Recreation facilities cater for almost every interest including golf courses, sporting ovals, bowling greens, tennis courts, horse racing tracks, fishing, netball and basketball courts, skate parks and swimming pools and bore baths.  There is also a pony club and clubs for little athletes, cricket, rugby and soccer.

Education across the Shire includes long day care centres, pre-schools, both static and mobile, seven primary schools, both public and Catholic, two central schools and one high school. Distance education is available for those in isolated areas.  Post secondary education is available through the Walgett Campus of the Western Institute of TAFE.

Walgett District Hospital provides all the services of a modern hospital with multi purpose centres in Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri.  All are supported by a range of health professionals from government and non government services. There is also a private medical centre.

For more information contact:bkerr@walgett.nsw.gov.au

Housing Data: Sourced from www.realestate.com.au current as at 7/18.
Careers Data: Sourced from ABS.