Destination guides > Australia > South Australia > Outback South Australia > Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy
This outback opal-mining town is unique in that much of it is built underground. Many of Coober Pedy’s homes and other facilities such as churches and a backpackers hostel have been built underground to escape the summer heat, which sometimes reaches 50° C.
Coober Pedy is the source of 80% of the world’s opals. If you want to buy opals you may get a better deal here than in the big cities, although the shops here do a roaring business with passing tourist coaches so it would be best to avoid the busy times if you want to save money.
There are thousands of abandoned mine shafts around Coober Pedy so in the interests of your safety it is a good idea to avoid wandering around the outskirts of town alone.
The town’s unique setting has been used as the film-set for several films including Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Mad Max III.
Practical information
Coober Pedy Visitor Information Centre
Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy
Tel (08) 8672 5298 or 1800 637 076
Website www.opalcapitaloftheworld.com.au
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-1pm
Coming & going
AIR
Rex (tel 13 17 13) flies to Coober Pedy from Adelaide. The flight takes two hours and is a good travel option if you are travelling on a Rex backpacker air travel pass. The airport is around 5km southwest of the town centre.
BUS & COACH
Greyhound (tel 1300 473 946) stop in Coober Pedy en route from Adelaide to Alice Springs.
TRAIN
The Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin stops at Manguri Station, which is 47km from Coober Pedy. If you are arriving by train you will need to arrange transport between Manguri Station and Coober Pedy before departure from Adelaide or Alice Springs.
Hostel accommodation
Hostels in Coober Pedy have at least some accommodation underground. An underground hostel is basically a series of caves and there are not always doors to the rooms, for this reason there may not be the same level of security or privacy that you would find in a more conventional hostel.
Bedrock Backpackers
Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy
Tel (08) 8672 5028
Radeka’s Downunder Backpackers Inn
Corner Hutchison & Oliver Streets, Coober Pedy
Tel (08) 8672 5223 or 1800 633 891
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