Coober Pedy is a wonderful place, situated in northern South Australia. It is a town with a fascinating history, a sun-baked lunar landscape, and a unique way of life. It is also known for its underground homes and opal mining. Coober Pedy is situated in the remote Outback of South Australia, approximately 846 kilometers (526 miles) north of Adelaide, the state’s capital city. The town is often referred to as the “Opal Capital of the World” because it produces the majority of the world’s opal gemstones. Coober Pedy experiences a desert climate with scorching hot summers, and temperatures can exceed 40°C.
7 Best Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy has become a popular tourist destination due to the following tourist attractions and a lot of fun activities.
Umoona Opal Mine and Museum
Umoona Opal Mine & Museum is a fascinating place to learn about the opal mining industry and the underground lifestyle of Coober Pedy. It features a historic opal mine, a museum, an Aboriginal art gallery, and a souvenir shop. Visitors can also stay overnight in a comfortable and spacious dug-out accommodation.
Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
It is a stunning landscape of hills, mesas, and plains in South Australia. It is a sacred site for the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people, who co-manage the park with the government. Visitors can enjoy the changing colours of the scenery at sunrise and sunset, and observe the diverse flora and fauna of the arid region.
Underground Home
Faye’s Underground Home and Crocodile Harry’s Underground Nest & Dugout is a remarkable dugout that was built by three women using picks and shovels over 10 years. It has a swimming pool, a bar, and a museum. It is a popular tourist attraction that reflects the history and culture of opal mining and living underground in Coober Pedy.
Josephine’s Gallery
Josephine’s Gallery and Kangaroo Orphanage is a place where art, culture, and wildlife meet in Coober Pedy. It has a gallery of Aboriginal artworks, a museum of opal mining history, and an orphanage for kangaroos and other animals. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the opal capital of the world.
Tom’s Opal Mine
Tom’s Opal Mine is a unique attraction in Coober Pedy, South Australia. It is a former opal mine that has been converted into a display mine where visitors can see the underground workings and opal seams. Tom’s Opal Mine offers guided and self-guided tours, as well as a noodling pit where you can try your luck at finding opal. Tom’s Opal Mine is a family and pet-friendly business that showcases the history and techniques of opal mining.
Big Winch 360
Big Winch 360 is a new attraction in Coober Pedy, Australia. It offers a 360-degree cinema experience that showcases the outback and its people. It also has a cafe and juice bar with a stunning view of the landscape. Big Winch 360 is located on the Italian Club Hill Road, near the iconic Big Winch monument.
Catacomb Church
Catacomb Church is an underground church in Coober Pedy, that was dug out in the mid-1970s and dedicated by the Anglican Church. The church is a place of peace and serenity, where people can meditate, chant God’s name, pray, or just sit and be still. The church also holds weekly services and welcomes visitors from all backgrounds and faiths. The Catacomb Church is one of the many unique attractions in Coober Pedy.
