Guidebook for Coober Pedy
Food Scene
Friendly outback club with a great view over Coober Pedy. Catch amazing sun sets from this hill. Enjoy hearing the stories of the fascinating locals - you can sit down and have a chat to anyone you like -it's one big family in Coober Pedy - from 45 different countries too!
Italian Club Road
Italian Club RoadFriendly outback club with a great view over Coober Pedy. Catch amazing sun sets from this hill. Enjoy hearing the stories of the fascinating locals - you can sit down and have a chat to anyone you like -it's one big family in Coober Pedy - from 45 different countries too!
John's Pizza Bar & Restaurant
24 Hutchison StOpal Inn
71 Hutchison Stgreat food and night life
OUTBACK BAR & GRILL: Great beer garden and comfy place to eat out with a real variety of food and sweets available.
Shell
454 Hutchison StOUTBACK BAR & GRILL: Great beer garden and comfy place to eat out with a real variety of food and sweets available.
Nostimo PIZZA is located at the Big 4 Stuart Range Resort Phone: 8672 5179
BIG4 Stuart Range Outback Resort
Hutchison StreetNostimo PIZZA is located at the Big 4 Stuart Range Resort Phone: 8672 5179
Phone: 8672 3188
5 Wright St, just west of the only round about in Hutchison St - the main street.
Opal City Chinese Restaurant
1 Wright RdPhone: 8672 3188
5 Wright St, just west of the only round about in Hutchison St - the main street.
Sightseeing
Youth Hall, Church and Manse all underground. Don't forget to walk up to the rugged cross and LOOK UP to see the two huge air shafts + see how far underground you actually are. You may like to lie down under the shafts and take a photo of a loved one who is looking down at you with the air shaft hole behind their head!!! It's a classic and memorable image! Originally built in 1977 this unique church is cut out of the sandstone in the shape of a cross adorned in a simple and natural way befitting the outback opal fields. Open 24/7 and doesn't charge for entrance.
Catacomb Church
LOT 746 Catacomb RdYouth Hall, Church and Manse all underground. Don't forget to walk up to the rugged cross and LOOK UP to see the two huge air shafts + see how far underground you actually are. You may like to lie down under the shafts and take a photo of a loved one who is looking down at you with the air shaft hole behind their head!!! It's a classic and memorable image! Originally built in 1977 this unique church is cut out of the sandstone in the shape of a cross adorned in a simple and natural way befitting the outback opal fields. Open 24/7 and doesn't charge for entrance.
You have to see this place to believe it!!! Rock carvings in the walls, high roof "ballroom" style design, and stained glass windows (switch the lights on at the left hand front wall to best view these) help to make the Serbian Church one of Coober Pedy's most awe inspiring structures.
Also go the ramp to the top floor to view more statues carved into the rock walls - it's a masterpiece that mustn't be missed!!! Open 24/7 with a $5 donation requested to support its maintenance.
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Serbian Orthodox Church
Potch Gully RoadYou have to see this place to believe it!!! Rock carvings in the walls, high roof "ballroom" style design, and stained glass windows (switch the lights on at the left hand front wall to best view these) help to make the Serbian Church one of Coober Pedy's most awe inspiring structures.
Also go the ramp to the top floor to view more statues carved into the rock walls - it's a masterpiece that mustn't be missed!!! Open 24/7 with a $5 donation requested to support its maintenance.
Go in at Reception and head across and down the stairs into a really well done (and free) exhibition of the history and surrounds of Coober Pedy...then you'll emerge in the hotel itself. Enjoy a drink, a game of pool or the little shops contained inside. Crystal Cafe is located within the Desert Cave Hotel.
The Cafe is open from 7am to 10am for breakfast and from 10am to 3pm for lunches, coffee and snacks. UMBERTOS is a high class restaurant within the Desert Cave and service is top quality. Ph 8672 5688
Desert Cave Hotel
1 Hutchison StGo in at Reception and head across and down the stairs into a really well done (and free) exhibition of the history and surrounds of Coober Pedy...then you'll emerge in the hotel itself. Enjoy a drink, a game of pool or the little shops contained inside. Crystal Cafe is located within the Desert Cave Hotel.
The Cafe is open from 7am to 10am for breakfast and from 10am to 3pm for lunches, coffee and snacks. UMBERTOS is a high class restaurant within the Desert Cave and service is top quality. Ph 8672 5688
Ali's Underground is in the highest hill in Coober Pedy....so walk up #4 dugout's roof. Keep turning right and head across the top of this hill (the highest in town) and you'll see air vents poking out from the ground in the west. These belong to the Lookout Cave. You can walk down their steps to their carpark, then turn right outside on the bitumen road and wander back to Ali's Underground for a good 360Degree view over the town and surrounds.
Catacomb Road
Catacomb RoadAli's Underground is in the highest hill in Coober Pedy....so walk up #4 dugout's roof. Keep turning right and head across the top of this hill (the highest in town) and you'll see air vents poking out from the ground in the west. These belong to the Lookout Cave. You can walk down their steps to their carpark, then turn right outside on the bitumen road and wander back to Ali's Underground for a good 360Degree view over the town and surrounds.
Just 35kms out of town. Travel with the sun on your back for best views. After the main lookout, take the next little track to the right just 50ms west and head down to an even more stunning outlook in this no through road lookout which is poorly signed to date. It's an amazing view of multi-coloured stone and various shaped hills. If you're heading north and leaving Coober Pedy, then head out the Oodna road, turn at the clear signs to the BreakAways and you'll follow the DOG FENCE - Stretching some 5,300km, it begins east of Surfer's Paradise in Queensland and ends up north of Ceduna in the Great Australian Bite.
Originally built to protect the sheep country in the south from the Dingo.
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Breakaways
Stuart HwyJust 35kms out of town. Travel with the sun on your back for best views. After the main lookout, take the next little track to the right just 50ms west and head down to an even more stunning outlook in this no through road lookout which is poorly signed to date. It's an amazing view of multi-coloured stone and various shaped hills. If you're heading north and leaving Coober Pedy, then head out the Oodna road, turn at the clear signs to the BreakAways and you'll follow the DOG FENCE - Stretching some 5,300km, it begins east of Surfer's Paradise in Queensland and ends up north of Ceduna in the Great Australian Bite.
Originally built to protect the sheep country in the south from the Dingo.
This mine is an original old working mine and has been especially developed to let visitors experience how local miners work and excavate opal underground and get a feel for why and how Coober Pedy began as the Opal Capital of the world.
Ph. 1800 196 500 A small entrance fee applies. www.tomsworkingopalmine.com.au
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Tom's Working Opal Mine
Lot 1993 Stuart HwyThis mine is an original old working mine and has been especially developed to let visitors experience how local miners work and excavate opal underground and get a feel for why and how Coober Pedy began as the Opal Capital of the world.
Ph. 1800 196 500 A small entrance fee applies. www.tomsworkingopalmine.com.au
You'll get a 360 degree view of our unique town from the Big Winch Lookout. Check out the 360 Cinema Experience and SA wine and food as you watch the sunset - the view is amazing!
Big Winch Lookout
Italian Club RoadYou'll get a 360 degree view of our unique town from the Big Winch Lookout. Check out the 360 Cinema Experience and SA wine and food as you watch the sunset - the view is amazing!
Coober Pedy Tourist Information Centre
LOT 773 Hutchison StreetLet Duncan help you plan your adventure...
The first underground church in Coober Pedy and possibly the world, therefore having the most historical value.
Originally this church was used by all denominations of religion and was built in a true pioneering manner with everyone pitching in to help make the church a reality.
Catholic Church
LOT 27 Hutchison StThe first underground church in Coober Pedy and possibly the world, therefore having the most historical value.
Originally this church was used by all denominations of religion and was built in a true pioneering manner with everyone pitching in to help make the church a reality.
A unique underground Museum with detailed historical content of the town.
It also contains an Aboriginal Interpretive Centre, an underground home and an original
opal mine. "The Story of Opal" an eighteen minute documentary, is shown in our underground cinema.
Permanent display of fossils from South Australia Museum.
A breathtaking collection of some of the finest opals can also be found here.
Entry to the complex is free and everyone is welcome.
Daily guided tours at 10am 2pm 4pm
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Umoona Opal Mine & Museum
14 Hutchison StA unique underground Museum with detailed historical content of the town.
It also contains an Aboriginal Interpretive Centre, an underground home and an original
opal mine. "The Story of Opal" an eighteen minute documentary, is shown in our underground cinema.
Permanent display of fossils from South Australia Museum.
A breathtaking collection of some of the finest opals can also be found here.
Entry to the complex is free and everyone is welcome.
Daily guided tours at 10am 2pm 4pm
Shopping
If IGA doesn't have what you need, they'll order it in if they can! Open long hours.
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IGA Coober Pedy
28 Hutchison StIf IGA doesn't have what you need, they'll order it in if they can! Open long hours.
A souvenir shop with a difference.
The Underground Book shop incorporates a bookstore offering an excellent range of Books Outback maps, postcards and information and Goanna land, an arts & craft outlet with an Outback theme.
They are also a booking agent for The Mail Run and the SA National Parks Desert Park Pass
Underground Books
Post Office Hill Road A souvenir shop with a difference.
The Underground Book shop incorporates a bookstore offering an excellent range of Books Outback maps, postcards and information and Goanna land, an arts & craft outlet with an Outback theme.
They are also a booking agent for The Mail Run and the SA National Parks Desert Park Pass
Arts & Culture
The Old Timer's Mine is a window through time to the days of old. An original opal mine dating back to 1916. For some reason, still unknown to this day, some old time miners had back-filled the shafts, hiding the mine below. They never returned to dig up the opal. It wasn't until 1968 that the hidden mine was accidentally discovered when an underground home extension broke through, revealing the wealth of opal, which is still there for you to see today.
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Old Timers Mine & Museum
2190 Crowders Gully RdThe Old Timer's Mine is a window through time to the days of old. An original opal mine dating back to 1916. For some reason, still unknown to this day, some old time miners had back-filled the shafts, hiding the mine below. They never returned to dig up the opal. It wasn't until 1968 that the hidden mine was accidentally discovered when an underground home extension broke through, revealing the wealth of opal, which is still there for you to see today.
Josephine's Gallery is opposite the Drive In - this is also a Kangaroo Orphanage and you can feed and hold joeys at noon and 5.30pm. Sometimes they have an Aboriginal Artist in residence too...well worth a visit and a yarn to the owners Josephine and Terry.
Josephine's Gallery
131-133 Hutchison StJosephine's Gallery is opposite the Drive In - this is also a Kangaroo Orphanage and you can feed and hold joeys at noon and 5.30pm. Sometimes they have an Aboriginal Artist in residence too...well worth a visit and a yarn to the owners Josephine and Terry.
Entertainment & Activities
Voted in the top 10 of the most unique courses in the world, situated 3.5km north of town centre.
Come & play on a very unique 18 hole grassless course.
The only Golf Club in the world with reciprocal playing rights with the 'home of golf', St. Andrews in Scotland.
Night Golf is available by Appointment. Minimum of 4 people required.
For more details contact the Golf Club on 8672 5353 or 8672 5555
Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Club
LOT 1509 Rowe DrVoted in the top 10 of the most unique courses in the world, situated 3.5km north of town centre.
Come & play on a very unique 18 hole grassless course.
The only Golf Club in the world with reciprocal playing rights with the 'home of golf', St. Andrews in Scotland.
Night Golf is available by Appointment. Minimum of 4 people required.
For more details contact the Golf Club on 8672 5353 or 8672 5555
Parks & Nature
The Painted Desert is an ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion. The slopes and shapes include many different colours and shades of orange, yellow and white, and it is the coloured shale on the faces of the hills from which the name “Painted Desert” came. The various shapes are formed when the top layers of soil dry out and fall away to reveal the beautiful rich colours underneath. The Painted Desert makes for an exciting outback experience for the whole family to explore. You can drive up to the Painted Desert or better yet, take a walk through the hills to get up close and personal to Mother Nature’s art piece.
The Painted Desert
Painted Desert RoadThe Painted Desert is an ancient Inland Sea bed where the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion. The slopes and shapes include many different colours and shades of orange, yellow and white, and it is the coloured shale on the faces of the hills from which the name “Painted Desert” came. The various shapes are formed when the top layers of soil dry out and fall away to reveal the beautiful rich colours underneath. The Painted Desert makes for an exciting outback experience for the whole family to explore. You can drive up to the Painted Desert or better yet, take a walk through the hills to get up close and personal to Mother Nature’s art piece.
Tipps für Reisende
Nicht verpassen
Plan to stay at least 2 days
When they find out how much there is to see and experience in this very unique underground town, many guests phone to see if they can extend their stay past the 1 day they had booked. Sadly for them, we are often booked out. It's well worth you booking for at least 2 -3 days to make the most of your adventure here. You'll be given a very useful 2 page Tourist Tips when you book.