Coober Pedy

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Late start for us since the bus tour isn’t till 1:00pm today. Enjoyed the warm sun while we can with some of Naeshka’s chocolate pancakes. 1:00pm came along quick and we hopped on the Stuart Range Outback Tour. First, we were taken around the town and learned some brief history about how Coober Pedy got its name. The tour guide told us that Coober Pedy comes from the Aboriginal saying “white man’s burrow”. After chatting with some local Aboriginals, we found out the correct translation is “white man’s hole”. That was fascinating.



We saw what the beginning of a “dugout” would look like before they start building a home underground. Driving to our next destination, we drove past the very creative desert golf course. Next was the mine fields. We saw all the machinery the miners used to find opals. Many of the machines were invented locally in Coober Pedy. On the way back into town we went to the parts of Coober Pedy that aren’t mine fields. The “Breakaways” is Indigenous land with spectacular views. Past that, we saw the beginning of the “Dingo Fence”, which is the longest dog fence in the world. It stretches over 5,300kms through South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Apparently, it’s longer than the Great Wall of China, said the tour guide.





Back in town, we headed to the Underground Opal Museum, where we learnt more about Coober Pedy and opals. On our way back to the caravan park we went to the Underground Serbian Orthodox Church, which was one of five underground churches in town. Back at the caravan park, we decided to finish off the night with some pizza for dinner and off to bed for another early head off in the morning.

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Photos

Coober Pedy
We started the day with Naeshka's chocolate pancakes.

Coober Pedy
The only patch of grass in Coober Pedy is at the Footy Field.

Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy Police Station

Coober Pedy
A dugout under construction

Coober Pedy
What a dugout looks like while being built

Coober Pedy
A typical machine used at the mines

Coober Pedy
A drilling machine

Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy Golf Course Club House

Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy Golf Course

Coober Pedy
Typical view of the mine fields in Coober Pedy from the highway

Coober Pedy
24 hour security guard at the entrance to the mine field.

Coober Pedy
The mine field is a restricted area. A permit is required to enter the field.

Coober Pedy
There are many holes in the ground. Core samples were taken to be analysed for the existence of opals prior to digging or tunnelling.

Coober Pedy
An small section is being dug out for opals.

Coober Pedy
A panoramic view of the Breakaways

Coober Pedy
The Nicolls at the Breakaways

Coober Pedy
Two Dogs. According to Aboriginal stories, the mounds represented two dogs laying down.

Coober Pedy
The longest dog fence in the world

Coober Pedy
A sample of a miner's residence at the Opal Museum

Coober Pedy
Another view of a miner's residence

Coober Pedy
This is a sample of what a miner's tunnel looks like when it was dug by hand tools