Best Things to Do in Coober Pedy (First Timers Guide)

September 24, 2025

Underground Town in the Outback? Here’s What to Do in Coober Pedy

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If you’ve ever dreamed about taking an Aussie outback trip, Coober Pedy should be one of your stops.

On my last outback road trip, one stop I couldn’t wait to tick off was the famous opal mining town, Coober Pedy. This town had been on my travel list for years, and it did not disappoint.

Driving in, you feel the remoteness straight away with wide open land, mining mounds scattered everywhere, and an almost moon-like landscape.

We stayed in a dug‑out hotel (Coober Pedy Experience Motel), which was an experience in itself and one of the things Coober Pedy is known for: underground living!

Sleeping underground was so peaceful and cool, especially after long days out exploring in the heat.

It’s one of those towns that’s so different to anywhere else in Australia, and I had to include it as a highlight on my outback road trip route.

⏰ Short on time?

Where to stay in Coober Pedy

$ Mud Hut Motel
$$ Coober Pedy Experience Motel
$$$ Desert Cave Hotel

🔎 More underground hotels in Coober Pedy

👉 Book a rental car here to get to Coober Pedy

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About Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is remote, 850 km north of Adelaide, and famous for two things: opals and its underground way of life. The name comes from the Aboriginal words kupa piti, meaning “white man’s hole.”

How to Get There: Most people drive along the Stuart Highway. It’s a long haul, so plan your fuel stops and try to avoid driving at night (kangaroos love to surprise you).

When to Visit: Spring, winter, and autumn are perfect. We visited in winter. Summer can hit 40°C+, which is why so much of the town is underground.

Safety Tips: Stick to marked areas; old mine shafts are everywhere. Carry water and wear a hat if you’re out walking during the day.

Where to Stay: For the true experience, sleep underground. It’s naturally cool, quiet, and something you won’t forget.

Must Visit Opal Mines

Umoona Opal Mine & Museum

This is the perfect starting point. It’s an underground museum and an old opal mine rolled into one. I loved wandering through the tunnels and seeing how miners lived and worked. The exhibits also explain Aboriginal history and fossils found in the area.

Old Timers Mine

Stepping into this hand-dug mine (dating back to 1916) feels like walking through history. It has an underground house and a noodling pit where you can try searching for your own opal. Kids will love this one.

Tom’s Working Opal Mine

This one is still operating, which makes the tour fascinating and you’ll see real machinery and learn how modern mining works. You even get the chance to fossick for your own stones. This mine is also dog friendly and you can noodle there after as well.

Public Noodling Area

If you like the idea of treasure hunting, head to the free noodling area. It’s just piles of discarded dirt from mines, but if you’re lucky, you might spot an opal glinting in the sun.

Hands-On Opal Tour

For a more adventurous option, join a fossicking tour with UV black-lights to spot opals glowing in the dark. It’s a hands-on experience that feels like finding hidden treasure.

Underground Living Sites

Faye’s Underground Home

Faye was a local who dug her own home by hand over ten years, and you can tour it today. Walking through her kitchen and bedroom carved into rock is fascinating and you get a real sense of how people adapt to life here.

Stay in an Underground Hotel

Sleeping underground is a bucket-list experience, and we loved it. The natural rock keeps the room cool, and it’s so quiet you’ll have the best sleep.

Hotels we recommend

$ Mud Hut Motel – Cozy and budget-friendly
$$ Coober Pedy Experience Motel – Get the full experience and see what it’s like to to stay in a dug out (I stayed here)
$$$ Desert Cave Hotel – A more upscale option with its own underground bar

View more hotels in Coober Pedy

Underground Churches

These churches are not just places of worship, they’re works of art carved into rock.

Serbian Orthodox Church – The biggest underground church, with stunning bas-reliefs
St Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church – Features stained glass and an altar built from mining gear
Catacomb Anglican Church – Simpler but very atmospheric and cool year-round

Boot Hill Cemetery

Even the cemetery tells stories here. Look out for quirky headstones like a beer keg and a castle-shaped tomb, as well as the grave of “Crocodile Harry.”

Where to Go for Outback Views

Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park

Only a short drive from town, this park is 15,000 hectares of colourful sandstone cliffs. At sunrise and sunset, the colours glow reds, oranges, and purples. You’ll also see part of the Dog Fence, which stretches over 5,000 km across South Australia.

Anna Creek Painted Hills

Accessible only by scenic flight, these hills are 80 million years old and absolutely stunning. The orange-red landscape looks like a painting from above.

Moon Plain & Dog Fence

The Moon Plain looks like you’ve landed on another planet with no wonder so many movies have been filmed here. The nearby Dog Fence is the longest in the world and a unique photo stop.

Day Trips & Tours

Want to explore further? There are plenty of unique tours:

Scenic Flights – Fly over Anna Creek Painted Hills or Lake Eyre
Mail-Run Tour – A full day travelling with the outback mailman to remote cattle stations
Extended Outback Tours – Combine Coober Pedy with the Flinders Ranges and Painted Desert

👉 Book a rental car here