WHERE TO STAY
Almost half the population of Coober Pedy lives underground in huts called dugouts, escaping the inevitable heat of the rough Australian outback. Summer in Coober Pedy can reach a scorching 50°C climax, with winter nights sending chills along your spine. To experience the local way of living in Coober Pedy, spend a few nights in either the Underground Motel or the Underground Bed and Breakfast. You’ll find out what it’s like to live like a real miner underneath the earth while keeping warm at night and cool in the mornings.

WHAT TO DO
Opal mines are still working and there are hundreds to see. Visitors are welcome to try their luck at Tom’s Working Opal Mine, located 1km north of town. Get your hands dirty with the tour operators as they show you how to ‘noodle’ through the mullock for precious gems.
At Old Timers Mine, opals still line the walls and there are demonstrations of mining machinery.
Being one of Coober Pedys’ most infamous characters, visiting Crocodile Harrys’ strange dugout is a must on your holiday to-do list. Famous for being used as a location ‘Mad Max- Beyond the Thunderdome,’ the bizarre dugout will shock you, as will the amount of women’s names he has scrawled on his bedroom roof.

WHEN TO TRAVEL
The best time to visit Coober Pedy is between April and October. The semi desert climate keeps the days between 16 and 20°C with freezing-cold nights. Between November and March the weather is much warmer and subject to dust storms, with tops of 45°C in the shade.

TRANSPORT
Coober Pedy is 846km from Adelaide and 686km south of Alice Springs. Either rent a car or book ahead to get your hotel to meet you at the airport.

For more information about Coober Pedy, go to: www.cooberpedy.sa.gov.au