If you are looking for a real taste of the outback or just interested in Opals then a visit to the frontier town of Coober Pedy is recommended. Opal was discovered at Coober Pedy in 1915. As a mining town its gained its name from the Aboriginal phrase "kupa piti" meaning white man's hole. The spectacular lunar landscape has evolved from the many mines creating dumps and shafts. Local tours take visitors down a mine and give you the experience of what it is like to work underground. Working and living underground is not foreign to the people of Coober Pedy. To escape the extremes of heat and cold many of the people choose to live underground in homes called dugouts which maintain a fairly constant temperature of 24C. Australia has 95% of the world's opals, most of which is mined right here in Cooper Pedy.

3 Star
Well located right in the centre of town.

3.5 Star
See what its like to stay in an underground hotel. The hotel also has above ground rooms for those who prefer it.