Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is Australia's most extraordinary outback town, famous for its opal mining and underground living. This is a place where the scorching heat drives life underground — literally. You'll find churches, homes, and even a hotel carved into the earth, offering a surreal escape from the desert sun. The landscape is otherworldly, dotted with mullock heaps and the occasional camel, and the local community is a blend of miners, artists, and adventurers. It's a must-visit for anyone exploring the Red Centre.

Highlights & What to See

• Underground homes and churches: Tour a dugout house and visit the Serbian Orthodox Church, the world's first underground church, all carved into the sandstone.
• Opal mines and fossicking: Take a mine tour to see how opals are extracted, or try your luck at a public fossicking area — you might find a gem!
• Coober Pedy's golf course: Play a round on a unique course where you carry a small patch of astroturf to tee off from, and watch out for kangaroos.
• Breakaways Reserve: Drive to this stunning area of colourful mesas and flat-topped hills, a classic outback landscape used in films like Mad Max.
• Dog Fence and Dingo Fence: See the world's longest fence, stretching thousands of kilometres, at the edge of town.
• Old Timers Mine: A fascinating museum and underground mine that tells the story of early opal mining.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two to three days is ideal to soak up the atmosphere. Spend the first day exploring the town's underground attractions and visiting the Breakaways at sunset. Day two can be for a mine tour and fossicking, plus a round of golf or a visit to the Dog Fence. If you have a third day, consider a day trip to nearby Lake Eyre or the Painted Desert.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• William Creek: A tiny outback pub and roadhouse, gateway to the Oodnadatta Track.
• Lake Eyre: Australia's largest salt lake, often dry but spectacular when flooded with water and birdlife.
• Oodnadatta Track: A historic outback route passing through remote settlements and the ruins of the old Ghan railway.
• Painted Desert: A colourful, eroded landscape about 200 km north of Coober Pedy, ideal for photography.
• Marla: A remote community and stop on the Stuart Highway, with a hotel and roadhouse.

Please check official sources for current details.