Coober Pedy: A Gem Of A Town in South Australia

Orange-pink grass less lands, rocky terrain and underground ‘homes’ – this is not a set straight out of a movie but a town nestled in South Australia. En route from Adelaide to Alice Springs lies Coober Pedy, often touted as the ‘opal capital of the world’. Yes, you read right! Coober Pedy’s place on the world map became prominent ever since opal fields were discovered here in 1915.

And this is just the beginning. If opal mining took you by surprise, wait till you discover where the locals go and pray!

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Going Deeper Underground

With every country trying to build the next ‘tallest skyscraper in the world’, Coober Pedy is like a breath of fresh air. Locals use shovels to build underground homes, some of which have their own wine cellar and swimming pool.

Every Sunday, there is a prayer service in Catholic and Catacomb Underground Church. Quiet and serene, these religious places are first of its kind and were dug out in the 1960s. What’s fascinating is that the Catacomb Church with its natural rock interiors, has drill holes from an old mine site that open into the skies.

Now, that’s a sneak peek into the early days of Coober Pedy!

Tee off on Grass(less) Land

Lush green covers, small white carts and beautiful manicured lawns are associated with golf courses across the world. But as in life, there are always exceptions. Coober Pedy is a town that offers something unique – a round of golf on oiled sand instead of grass. Surprising, isn’t it?

If golf isn’t a big draw for you, spend a quiet afternoon in Underground Potteries. Owned and run by the Rowe family since 1982, this famous tourist spot exhibits unique pottery, photographs and even has a spacious studio. Besides learning about the art of pottery, one can admire scenic views of the grassless golf course and race track.

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Opal, Opal Everywhere!

With more than 70 individual opal fields scattered across Coober Pedy land, searching for the beautiful gem is certainly tempting. Put on your bushman hat and try your luck at ‘noodling’ (fossicking) for any overlooked opal gemstones amidst rubble.

Don’t lose heart if there are no striking opal pieces in the fields! Not everyone is as lucky as Willie, a young boy who found the first opal stone on the grounds here in 1915.

The opal trail is fascinating, to say the least, and can be explored at the Opal Cave in Coober Pedy. Dive into the history of what made the town famous or satiate your love for good quality opal jewellery at Opal World.

Nature Calling at Coober Pedy

What’s in a barren land strewn with rocks and sand, one might ask? Well, this desert setting has beautiful landscapes that have captured the eye of many filmmakers. From Ground Zero to Red Planet, Hollywood movies have been shot in places like the Painted Desert with its colourful hills and rocky breakaways.

After discovering so much about Coober Pedy, I know one thing for sure – my vacation to Australia must include a few days here. What about you? Come and discover this hidden treasure in South Australia for yourself!

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