opalised seashells in Coober Pedy
The first opal was found in Coober Pedy on 1st February 1915, by 14 year old Will Hutchinson – and they have been coming out of the ground thick and fast ever since. Tourism is now almost as important to the town as the opals. People – like us – flock to the town to see the mines, the dugout houses, hotels and churches and the lunar landscape surrounding the town. The town has featured is several films, including Mad Max and Priscilla, Queen of the desert.
amazing landscape
After flying over Lake Eyre, the landscape changed completely. To me it looks a bit like a painting by an Aboriginal artist.
Isn't it incredible?
Coober Pedy from above
lunar landscape
opal mines from above
The mounds are the result of the opal mining.
We went to the Old Timers Opal Mine, where it is possible to see how an old mine operated.
the mines used to be dug by hand with fairly crude implements
old mining tools
a seam of opal
Beside the old mine is an underground house built in the 1960s. It is fascinating to wander through the rooms carved out of the rock. The temperatures above ground make living impossible in summer, so before airconditioning became possible, the miners and their families lived underground.
an underground kitchen
more kitchen
the old wood stove
bedroom
bathroom
bedroom
The bedroom was hand dug by Ron Gough in 1968 for his daughters. While digging the room he accidentally broke into the old opal mine next door. I think there is something quite lovely about a dad digging a room for his children.
Next door to the mine and underground house is an underground hotel.
underground hotel
interesting architecture
inside the hotel
The temperature underground is 23 – 25 degrees year round – perfect.
the walls and ceiling of the hotel
I think the walls are beautiful - and you never have to paint them
Have you ever had to wear a hard hat in a hotel?
Of course, you don’t need to wear them all the time, but if you want to explore some of the tunnels the hat will save your head from scrapes.
a Coober Pedy house
This house had a regular house-like front, with the entire house dug into the hillside. Note the solar panels. There would be no shortage of sun here.
a more modern opal digger
The very enthusiastic chap at The Old Timers Mine gave us a demonstration of some of the machines used in mining for opals today. As well as the hand held digger there was the blower – a very exotic piece of machinery.
the blower
This contraption sucks rocks and stuff up inside and separates the dust from the (hopefully) opal bearing rock. Like a lot of machinery used in the mines, these are made by the miners. This particular one was the most beautiful blue.
the blue blower
there is the odd tree in Coober Pedy
a Coober Pedy rooftop
More than 3,500 people live in the town. It is much too hot and remote for me. I was happy with a quick visit.
Comfort Inn www.cooberpedyexperience.com.au