Coober Pedy SA 5723
(Pop 2 000)
Coober Pedy is situated in Outback SA 846 km north of Adelaide and 685 south of Alice Springs. This ethnically diverse, fascinating and cosmopolitan opal mining town is made up of 45 nationalities, 60% of them Europeans. With summer temps rising to 50 deg C, 80% of the population live underground. Opals were first discovered in 1915 and the township derives its name from Aboriginal ‘kupa piti meaning ‘white men down holes’. Opal Festival (Easter), Coober Pedy Greek Glendi (July) and Amateur Race Meeting and Gymkhana (Oct). Underground Churches include the world’s first, St Peter & St Pauls (Hutchison St), Anglican (Catacomb Rd) and the Serbian Orthodox. Moon Plain (15 km n-e) and the Breakaways (30 km n) are both unique and diverse landscapes of stony deserts and rocky outcrops. Rich in wildlife and spectacular scenery. Painted Desert (234 km n) the rich colours of the Arckaringa Hills created by millions of years of erosion and climatic conditions, result in this exceptional vista. Coober Pedy has half a dozen motels, 3 hotels, holiday apartments and cabins in the 4 caravan parks.
Visitor Information Centre:
Council offices, Hutchison St. Tel (08) 8672 5298 or 1800 637 076 (Mon-Fri).

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