7 things to do in Coober Pedy, South Australia

Welcome to the South Australian outback, where the dirt is red, it’s extremely dry, and in the summer the temperature can reach up to 50 degrees. And don’t even get me started on the flies…

Coober Pedy is located 846kms (526miles) north of Adelaide in South Australia. I lived there for 8-9months back in 2013 for the tourism season (March-November), as I got a job working in a motel/backpacker (Radeka Downunder).

Opal (a mineral/gemstone) is what put Coober Pedy on the map back in the late 1960s and led to the town booming in the 1970s and 1980s. Now it has quietened down a bit, however still worth a stop when travelling up or down the Stuart Highway through the middle of Australia.

Below are the 7 things I recommend not to miss when visiting Coober Pedy:

1. A tour to the Breakaways

25kms outside of Coober Pedy is the Kanku-Breakaways National Park. The sandstone makes for an incredible sunset!

2. Josephine’s Gallery & Kangaroo Orphanage

Josephine’s gallery is filled with unique aboriginal art and artefacts, whilst also housing a kangaroo orphanage out the back. Hear stories of how they have been rescued and now looked after. This one is definitely for all the animal lovers.

3. Crocodile Harry’s Dugout

If you haven’t seen the movie Crocodile Dundee, then you need to before visiting here. Harry was a crocodile hunter in the Northern Territory prior to moving to Coober Pedy in the 1970s. He was a real Aussie larrikin’ who was famous around town for his parties. You can now visit his dugout (underground home) and see all the quirky, eclectic artwork and souvenirs left by the guests from those famous parties.

4. The Golf Course

No grass, no worries! There is not a blade of grass at the Coober Pedy Golf Course. Golfers are given an artificial piece of grass to tee off from. Golfers have been known to find opal whilst having a swing, so keep a lookout!

5. A tour of a mine

There are many to choose from in town, however if you have limited time the Old Timers Mine gives you a great overall experience. Here you can take a self-guided tour through the mine to see the history and what it is like being a miner. They also run demonstrations of the machinery they use. You can even get your hands dirty and try your luck at noodling (searching for) opals.

6. Drive-In Cinema

There is nothing quite like driving into a big carpark in front of cinema screen and parking next to some speakers. You tune your radio station to the correct channel in preparation, before getting out of your car to go and get some snacks. You return and get comfy, ready for the movie to start… You look around and there are people in the back of Utes (cars) with couches and mattresses in the back, loaded up with people. An immersive experience at the Drive-In with the local community.

7. Underground Church

For a small-town Coober Pedy has 5 churches, but not all of them are underground. My personal favourite to visit is the Serbian Orthodox Church. And when you look at the photo below you will see why!

So, when you are planning your next road-trip, remember to look at all the unique places you can see along the way. For you can always find the unique…

TIP: Have the full experience and stay in underground accommodation, there are plenty of different styles to choose from depending on your budget. And get a pizza from John’s Pizza Bar!