Make sure there's fuel in your car and coins in your wallet before you head to Lightning Ridge this weekend for the annual Easter Festival on 7-9 April.

The three-day program is jam-packed with events, ranging from bucking bulls and horse racing to treasure hunts and mining challenges.

And of course, it wouldn’t truly be Lightning Ridge without opals around every corner all weekend long.

But with barely a bed to spare in town and the surrounds, organisers of the event say that a day trip out to the ridge for the festival is the best option.

"The accommodation is nearly fully booked," said Andrew Kemeny.

"There is primitive camping at Collarenebri and Walgett, as well as Nakadoo in Coonamble though."

"The Hebel caravan park has sites and dongas too."

But realistically, the only problem people will run into is picking the best day to venture out to the opal capital of New South Wales!

ABOVE: The Bucking Bulls and Broncs are always a fan favourite over Easter. Photo supplied.

Friday 7 April

Kicking off us off on Friday is the Black Opal Bull and Bronc Ride!

Tickets for the rodeo are available on the day, with gates opening at 4 pm

But remember; it's an entirely cash-only event, so make sure your wallet is chock full of pineapples and lobsters for a great night out at the rodeo.

Tickets are available for just $30, or $10 if you're under 12 - young ones under five get in for free.

For anyone not a fan of bucking bulls and broncs, the 'Wise Guys' will be singing the house down at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club from 8:30 till late.

ABOVE: People are welcome to step up to the Miner's Rickshaw Challenge to see if 'Kingy' will be dethroned in 2023. Photo supplied.

Saturday 8 April

Make sure to get to the ridge nice and early on Saturday, with a few big events starting early in town in the morning.

The Milan Dhiiyan dancers will be giving a welcome to country accompanied by dancing to kick off the day's proceedings.

The first event is the Miner's Rickshaw Challenge, "it's hot, heavy and hard work," said Andrew.

"There's usually a few scrapes and pile-ups."

Entrants are tasked with a few mining-related challenges including shovelling and wheelbarrowing, and strength and endurance tests along the way.

It's also one of the biggest prize pools for the event to date, with shares of $3500 up for grabs.

Andrew Kemeny is encouraging as many people to get involved in the challenge to try and dethrone the current champion Mark King.

"Kingy is a part-time opal miner and has been the reigning champ for the past six years," said Andrew.

"All these guys go up against him, our hope is that someone will finally beat him."

But more than anything the event is fast-paced and perfect for spectators if you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty.

ABOVE: The Egg and Spoon race is always popular during Easter in the Ridge. Photo supplied.

For the younger generations, there's the ever-popular egg and spoon race, a mainstay of the easter festival.

"It’s pretty simple and very popular," said Andrew.

"Every year we run out of eggs, every year we get more and every year more kids want to do it."

"It's an amazing event."

There's also a strength challenge on offer for the children too, with boys and girls tested to see how long they can hold on to a bag of opal tailings.

Of course, there are the big and little opal digs, with $35,000 dollars' worth of opals up for grabs to the lucky ones that find them, and Playstations, Nintendo switches, tablets, and speakers among other prizes on offer for the little dig.

Photo opportunities with the TV stars on Outback Opal Hunters are also available all day long in town, along with far too many street stalls to count! Selling everything and anything.

ABOVE: Last Year's "Big Dig" winners walked away with huge cash prizes. Photo Supplied.

Live reptile shows courtesy of Andrew Melrose will be on from 9:30 in the morning too.

But as always it's important to remember cash is king in the ridge, and most stalls and events are cash only.

And as the morning wraps up, the excitement moves to the Lighting Ridge Jockey Club, where the annual easter races will take place.

The six-race program will also feature fashions on the field, but organisers say that "togs and thongs" are more than appropriate if that’s more your style.

And following the races more live music will be on at the Bowling Club, and to finish up on Saturday will be a fireworks spectacular behind the Crocodile Caravan Park at 8:30.

Sunday 9 April

Easter Sunday is a bit more lowkey than Saturday, with more markets in the main street on the menu, along with the Easter Egg Float parade down the main street at 12:30 pm.

"There are all sorts of things happening around town too, entertainment at the local watering holes and bush pubs," said Andrew.

And at 5 pm the weekend-long treasure hunt comes to a close and the winners are drawn.

But regardless of which day you go to, or even how many you go to, one thing is for sure; you don’t want to miss it.

Details about the weekend can be accessed here and here.