Coober Pedy, Underground mining town in South Australia.
Coober Pedy is a mining settlement in South Australia, located 846 kilometers north of Adelaide, with residences, hotels, and shops carved into rock formations beneath the ground. The entire community functions underground with structures built directly into the stone.
Willie Hutchison discovered opals in this region in 1915, sparking the settlement of the area. The first post office opened in 1916, marking the beginning of organized community life.
The name comes from the Kokatha-Barngarla words kupa-piti, meaning whitefellas hole. This identity has shaped how people view their lives underground, becoming part of the town's character.
The underground structures maintain constant temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year. This provides natural protection from the heat outside, where temperatures can exceed 40 degrees.
The town produces most of the world's gem-quality opals from its numerous mining fields spread across the region. Daily life for residents occurs entirely in these subterranean spaces, intertwining opal production with everyday routines.
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