Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is one of the world's leading opal mining towns. Opals were first found in 1913 when the 14 year old Willie Hutchinson found one. Founded in 1915 and known as the underground town, because most of the buildings are dugouts in the ground.

Desert Cave Hotel
Located in the heart of Coober Pedy the Desert Cave Hotel allows you to experience above or underground accomodationg, underground shops, bar and opal display areas, all within beautiful sandstone surrounds. 

There are 50 suites including 19 underground. Enjoy Umberto's Restaurant, the Crystal Cafe, or relax in the World's only Underground Bar and Gaming Room.

You can have your own go at opal mining in Coober Pedy as there are old digging sites on the edge of town. Visitors cannot enter a mining field unless on a tour as these fields are dangerous. Mine shafts up to 25 metres deep are unmarked and can cause very serious injury or death if fallen into accidentally. Opals can be purchased at Coober Pedy, there are over 30 Opal dealers in town, but beware, prices do vary greatly from dealer to dealer. Coober Pedy is about 850km north of Adelaide.

Old Timers Mine and Museum
There is the Old Timers Mine and Museum in Crowders Gully Road, housed in an old opal mine dating from 1916 and with opal seams still visible in the walls (08 8672 5555).

Umoona Opal Mine and Museum
The Umoona Opal Mine and Museum in Hutchison Street is completely underground and houses a display of European settlement in Coober Pedy, with information on opal mining and many examples of opals (08 8672 5288).

Catacomb Underground Church
The Catacomb Underground Church, in Catacomb Road, is multi denominational and carved in the form of a cross out of the solid sandstone.

Faye’s Underground Home
Faye’s Underground Home in Old Water Tank Road is also carved from the rock.

Serbian Orthodox Church
A feature is the wall carvings and high ballroom ceiling and stained glass windows.

The Breakaways
A little outside Coober Pedy the place for views of the desert.

Coober Pedy – located in outback S.A., Coober Pedy is one of the very few places where most of the town is underground, built this way to escape the high temperatures of summer. The local pub, church, shops restaurants and most of the houses are underground.  This opal mining town also boasts a gold course without a single blade of grass. Gathered from all around the world the locals here are extremely friendly and the opal fields here produce most of the world opals. There are some great sights above ground as well such as the Painted Desert, the Moon Plain and the breakaways. You can try “noodling” or fossicking for opals, go on a guided tour including the Star Gazing Tour. Many movies have been made here including, “Mad Max”, “Ground Zero” and “Pitch Black”.  Paula Duggan