Coober Pedy

A remote opal mining town in the outback where many residents live underground in dugouts to escape the extreme heat. It's a unique and otherworldly destination showcasing Australian outback culture and the world's richest opal fields.

Things to do

• Underground Opal Mines Tour — Descend into working and abandoned opal mines to see the geological layers and learn about the mining process that has made Coober Pedy famous.
• Umoona Opal Mine & Museum — Explore a preserved underground opal mine with an attached museum displaying opals, Aboriginal artifacts, and the history of the town's mining industry.
• Underground Dugout Home Tour — Visit restored underground residences to experience how locals live in air-conditioned comfort beneath the red earth, complete with furnished rooms carved from stone.
• Painted Hills & Breakaways — Drive to the colourful lunar-like landscape of the Breakaways, a natural amphitheatre of painted ridges and abandoned opal diggings about 30 kilometres from town.
• Opal Shopping on Opal Street — Browse authentic opal gemstones at multiple shops along the town's main street, with opportunities to purchase direct from local miners and cutters.
• Underground Serbian Orthodox Church — Visit the unique subterranean church carved into the earth, reflecting the heritage of Serbian immigrants who settled in Coober Pedy during the mining boom.
• Stargazing in the Outback — Experience some of Australia's darkest skies and clearest stargazing conditions due to the remote location and minimal light pollution.

Food to try

• Camel Steak — A local outback speciality served in several restaurants, offering a lean and flavourful meat unique to the Australian interior.
• Emu Pie — A hearty traditional Australian dish featuring native emu meat in a pastry crust, reflecting the region's bush tucker heritage.
• Underground Café Coffee — Coffee enjoyed in one of the town's underground cafés, combining a quality brew with the distinctive experience of dining below ground.
• Outback Barramundi — Fresh Australian barramundi fish, sometimes sourced locally or regionally, prepared in contemporary outback restaurant settings.
• Anzac Biscuits & Bush Tucker Damper — Traditional Australian baked goods available at local bakeries, including the iconic oat-based Anzac biscuits and damper bread cooked outback-style.

Local customs & good to know

• Prepare for Extreme Heat — Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C, so plan visits during cooler months (April to September) and always carry plenty of water and sun protection.
• Respect the Mining Heritage — Coober Pedy's identity revolves around opal mining, so show genuine interest in the craft and purchase ethically from local miners to support the community economy.
• Underground Living is Normal — Don't be surprised to find shops, hotels, and homes carved into the earth—this practical solution to the heat is the defining feature of local life and worth embracing respectfully.
• Remote Town Etiquette — Services are limited, fuel and supplies are expensive, so plan ahead, carry cash, and be self-sufficient; locals appreciate visitors who understand the isolation and come prepared.