We stumbled upon an underground city in South Australia called Coober Pedy. Known for its scorching daytime temperatures and abundant opal deposits, locals have transformed old mining tunnels into a unique underground town featuring museums, hotels, churches, and bookstores to escape the extreme heat!
Coober Pedy has Mars-like landscapes and sits in the heart of Australia’s central outback, where the temperature fluctuates significantly between day and night. Residents seek refuge underground to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold, reminiscent of scenes from the movie The Wandering Earth. This has made the city a popular filming location.
One fascinating discovery was a spaceship prop from the 2000 movie Pitch Black!
After filming concluded, the spaceship has been quietly resting here for 20 years, seemingly awaiting its next mission. Just search for “spaceship” on Google Maps to find this intriguing site, perfect for capturing a Mars-like experience!
For accommodation, the underground hotel is a must try!
We initially planned to photograph the night sky, our late-night and late-morning habits meant we missed the opportunity.
What to do in Coober Pedy
The “Interstellar” Prop Spaceship
We started the day with a visit to the spaceship prop. While the photos turned out great, the surroundings are just metal sheets within the town, so careful angles are needed to avoid breaking the illusion. For a more impactful shot, use a camera with a telephoto lens or at least 3x zoom on your phone to fill the frame with the spaceship.
Breakaways Conservation Park
We drove along a dirt road to reach this incredible spot. It’s perfect for capturing panoramic drone shots, delivering a Mars-like vibe. If you have a drone, definitely bring it along!
Outback Bar And Grill
For lunch, we chose the busiest restaurant in the small town and enjoyed some tasty barbecue.
Town Walk
The town is small but has a unique charm, reminiscent of an under-renovation neighbourhood. We stumbled upon a “UFO” man-made attraction!
TOM’S OPAL MINE
The next morning, we visited TOM’S OPAL MINE to learn about opal formation and the town’s mining history. Staff provided flashlights to help us spot opals glinting in the walls.
Welcome to Coober Pedy Sign
On our way back, we stopped at the iconic “Welcome to Coober Pedy” sign for a photo op!