Travel Coober Pedy: Discover How People Live Underground In This Gem & Opal Capital Of The World
Travel Coober Pedy: Nestled in the heart of South Australia, this town has everything underground- from schools to churches, markets to restaurants.
There are a number of unique places on this planet, where people have strange lifestyles and practices. One such place is Australia's Coober Pedy- a far-off town in southern Australia where people live underground. Yes, you heard that that right! We have heard of animals living underground, but humans? Let's find out about the unique life of the people of Coober Pedy, a town which welcomes almost 1,50,000 tourists each year.
Nestled in the heart of South Australia, this town has everything underground- from schools to churches, markets to restaurants. As per the official website of the town, with a population of around 2,500 residents, this remote settlement boasts a tight-knit community that embraces its rich cultural diversity.
Origin Of The Town:
Located approximately 846 kilometers northwest of Adelaide, Coober Pedy, a mining town, has a captivating story. It all began in 1915 when a young boy named Willie Hutchison stumbled upon opal, sparking the town's transformation from a modest mining spot into a vibrant community. But from where did the opal come?
According to the website, this town was covered by the ocean about 150 million years ago, and when the water receded, silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the rocky cracks and cavities, solidifying over time. Later, these turned into multi-coloured opals, for which the town is popularly known.
The town's name- 'kupa-piti,' means 'white man in a hole' or 'water hole'- which suits it because the town is full of holes dug by white people, and most of the town's folks have made these holes their home now.
It is believed that the soldiers who returned from the trenches of France during the First World War first started living underground, which later becomes an escape from the extreme rough climate. No matter how harsh the climate, the underground rooms maintain at a comfortable temperature for the residents throughout the year.
Extreme Climate Of Coober Pedy:
In Coober Pedy, temperatures can soar extremely high during summers, often reaching up to a blistering 52°C. Conversely, winter nights can plummet to chilly lows, with temperatures dipping to around 2-3°C. This extreme climate makes underground living a necessity for many residents. According to the District Council of Coober Pedy, approximately 80% of the local population have chosen to reside inside the sandstone dwellings, where temperatures are around to approximately 23°C all year.
Water Supply:
This beautiful town usually faces water scarcity as it relies on the Great Artesian Basin, which is the largest and deepest artesian basin in the world. Located approximately 24 kilometers away, this basin is the major source of water for Coober Pedy. The town's water supply is managed by the District Council, which operates a bore and associated treatment plant.
Life Inside Coober Pedy's ‘Dugouts ‘:
Walking through the dusty and moon-like landscape streets, you'll feel like you've stepped into a world straight out of a storybook. However, Coober Pedy is a fully equipped city, boasting supermarkets, restaurants, medical facilities, and schools- thereby providing residents with all the necessities of daily life. In addition, this underground town offers everything from a movie theatre and golf course to shopping complexes- all nestled beneath the earth's surface.
Looking like just another building from outside, some of the houses gradually reveal underground passages once you step inside.
Apart from heat relief, another major advantage of underground living is cost-saving. Coober Pedy generates its electricity primarily from wind and solar power, as running air conditioning can be expensive.
Despite being underground, homes in Coober Pedy are equipped with essential amenities like water, internet, and electricity. The only distinction from regular homes is the absence of access to sunlight.
The main source of income for the town is opal mining and tourism. A lot of residents work underground- with men toiling in the opal mines in search of wealth, while women manage the town's underground shops, hotels, restaurants, and cafes. On Sundays, residents gather in the sandstone vaults of one of the four underground churches for worship. Above ground, both of the town's supermarkets can be found on the same street, catering to the needs of residents and visitors alike.
Opal Capital Of The World:
This unique dug-out town holds the title of 'Opal Capital of the World', due to its rich opal deposits. Residents began mining opal after World War I, and after it become a steady but less booming business, they started turning out these discarded mines in their homes.
This opal industry not only shapes the economy, but also defines the cultural identity of Coober Pedy.
The town hosts events like the Opal Festival, celebrating its opal heritage with exhibitions, competitions, and cultural performances. Intrested people can watch the award-winning short documentary ‘The Story of Opal’ to have an overview of the area’s history.
Today, visitors flock to Coober Pedy to marvel at its opal mines, explore underground shops adorned with opal jewelry, and perhaps even try their luck at finding a precious opal of their own. The Opal Bug is a shop in Coober Pedy that sells everything from gems to jewellery and watches. However, many visitors also like to visit the shop to see the famous opal-coloured Volkswagen Beetle.
ALSO READ: Visit Whittier: An Alaskan Town Where Everyone Lives Under One Roof
Tourist Attractions:
Coober Pedy offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable adventure in the Australian Outback. Each year, more than 150,000 tourists visit the town to admire its distinct lifestyle.
Coober Pedy is easily accessible via a small airstrip, coach tour, private car, or the Ghan railway line between Darwin and Adelaide. From Adelaide, it will take you approximately 8-10 hours and 6-8 hours from Alice Springs to reach there.
There are number of hotels and guest houses available for accommodation and Opals can be seen embedded in the walls of some of these hotel rooms.
Visitors can delve into the town's opal mining history at museums like the Old Timers Mine, gaining insight into the challenges and triumphs of the opal trade. Among the local public buildings, one can visit the three churches, a bookstore, an art gallery, bar, grass-less golf course, the Kangaroo Orphanage and the numerous opal shops & displays.
The church is located 55 feet below the Earth's surface, where guests can also attend a church service. Inhabitants can buy a good book at the town's bookstore to pass the time.
One should pay a visit to Faye's Underground Home, as it is considered one of the must-see spots in the town. Faye Nayler was a woman who picked and shoveled her own home in 1960 with her two friends to build a bar, a swimming pool in the living room, and a full eat-in kitchen which is now a most visited tourist spot.
Coober Pedy also offers a large variety of native wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, sand goannas, bearded dragons, geckos, perentie lizards and a few species of snakes. Explorers who are into bird searching come here for desert birds such as eagles, budgerigars, galahs, bustards or bush turkeys and parrots.
Gazing at the desert night sky, from a place that feels like the moon, is a special experience loved by both visitors and locals. Star-gazing under the bright Southern skies is an experience not to be missed. However, visitors must be careful as the area around the town is riddled with pits and caverns dug in search of opals, especially at night while playing golf.
Coober Pedy, known for its unique and barren landscape, has even caught the attention of Hollywood. Featured in films such as 'Pitch Black,' 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome,' and 'Red Planet'- Coober Pedy has become an iconic location on the silver screen. Beyond its cinematic fame, the town's rugged beauty appeals to artists and photographers looking for inspiration.
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