10 Exciting Things To Do In Coober Pedy, South Australia

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There’s an eerie air in Coober Pedy, South Australia. It’s hot, dry, desolate, quiet, dusty, and burnt orange. But despite its small size and barren landscape, there are still some fun things to do in Coober Pedy.

You’re surrounded by scrap metal, rotting cars, and mounds of orange dirt with doors tucked into the side and cars parked out the front.

You’d think it was deserted if not for the odd car throwing up dust as it puts into town. It’s one of the quirkiest and most unique places you can visit in Australia.

This small town has only a few thousand residents and yet it’s known for being the Opal capital of the world. It’s also known for its underground dugouts where people live to escape the scorching heat.

If you’re thinking of visiting Coober Pedy but you’re not sure what to do there, keep reading for some of our favorite attractions in the town.

Is Coober Pedy Worth Visiting?

Coober Pedy looks like a scene out of an apocalypse movie. You stand waiting for the zombies and aliens to come walking down behind it.

I don’t want to say this in an insulting way, but I think Coober Pedy is cool.

The air is not cool. In fact, it’s stinking bloody hot. So hot that people are forced to live underground! See that’s what makes it so cool. Ha! Have I lost you yet?

Coober Pedy is a fun place. There’s not a great deal to do there, but just being in this unique landscape and seeing how people live here is so darn fascinating.

There is no other town in Australia like it. It’s remote, desolate, and has unique accommodation options – and for that reason, it’s definitely worth visiting. Especially if you want to get off the beaten track in Australia.

Where is Coober Pedy?

Coober Pedy is located roughly halfway between Adelaide and Darwin in South Australia (with not much life in between!) It’s 846 kilometres north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway.

On the drive up from Streaky Bay we drove past a gorgeous landscape of salt lakes and vibrant desert colours.

You know you’re almost at Coober Pedy when you start seeing mounds of dirt piled up as far as the eye can see – it’s the waste excavated by the opal mines.

It’s not just the homes that are underground, the shops, hotels, swimming pools, churches, and even a campground are all…