Additional Coverage:
- Inside the underground town where people live in tunnels surrounded by gems worth millions (themirror.com)
Coober Pedy, South Australia: An Underground Oasis
Deep in the Australian outback lies Coober Pedy, the “Opal Capital of the World.” This unique town is home to 2,000 residents who live a largely subterranean life.
To escape the scorching desert heat, which can top 45 degrees Celsius, residents have carved homes, shops, churches, and even a cemetery into the earth. These “dugouts,” as they are known, offer a comfortable 23 degrees year-round.
Opal was first discovered in Coober Pedy in 1915, sparking a rush of fortune seekers. Many of these early prospectors created the first dugouts.
Today, over 60% of the town’s population lives underground. These homes are equipped with modern amenities like electricity, plumbing, and internet access. Some even have swimming pools.
The dugouts often have multiple exits, one to the street and another leading directly into the opal mines. The town’s name, Coober Pedy, is Aboriginal for “White Man’s Hole.”
Coober Pedy’s otherworldly landscape has also made it a popular tourist destination, attracting around 150,000 visitors each year.
Its unique setting has also attracted filmmakers. Several movies, including Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, have been filmed in Coober Pedy.