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COOBER PEDY - STAY FOR LESS "A$"

COOBER PEDY (QLD) on the Stuart Highway is 885 kms North of Adelaide & comes from the Aboriginal word “KUPA PETI” meaning “White fellows underground burrow” It’s a true description as 50% of the population live in dugouts to shelter from the areas extreme temperatures, terrain & dust storms. It’s known as the Worlds largest “White Opal” field which is reflected in the Moon like landscape of the 100’s of debris mounds & abandoned mineshafts. It began life at the end of 1914 –18 WW1 by returning Oz soldiers who settled here, now about 40 different nationalities are represented - GB met one from Croatia.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – RADEKAS BACKPACKERS INN on Main Street, PO Box 808 (on the corner of Oliver & Hutchinson Streets, nr. the Petrol Station) freecall 1800 633 891 (SA & NT)
Email radekadownunder@ozmail.com.au - $21 in dark underground dorms with showers on ground level. Basic s/c kitchen joining onto dining/ TV lounge area on top, also o/s seating. The main Inn has a bar & resident lizards. This is a unique hostel experience. If you arrive on the Greyhound at 0530am a Radeka's. courtesy bus is waiting to pick you up.

Reserve – Fred & Wilma’s Underground Hostel on Main Street (opposite IGA SM dug into a hill)
freecall 1800 676 680 www.opalcavecooberpedy.com - $24 pn. in large cubicle dorm in hillside with sep showers/wc’s. Small kitchen cooking area with fridge, lounge TV area. Another unique CP location, o/s is a crashed movie “Star Wars” space ship & some interesting sculptures

FOOD – is easily available from 2 Supermarket, both with a good range of backpacker fodder, first is the Miners Store which is also the Post Office, second being IGA with Liquor Store at the entrance. One important thing to know is that the fresh? fruit & veg. can look a bit limp on a Wednesday, the reason is that the weekly supplies from Adelaide arrive by Road Train late on that night which is why the shops open at 0700, on a Thursday (instead of 0900) to serve the locals who arrive early to get the best to take back to store in their holes.

TRAVELLING AROUND – in this dusty town is best in trusty walking boots to reach all the interesting corners & tracks. For a mobile trip around the area Radeka’s runs a daily “Desert Breakaway” tour for $35, including Moon Plain (Mad Max 3 movie locations) Dingo Fence & Crocodile Harry’s place. GB purposely missed this excursion as it covered the middle of the day when the sun is high & hot so to be cooked up in a mini bus didn’t appeal – some participants agreed on their return.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Big Winch Lookout – Grandstand views of low houses & pocked hills, see also the Metal Tree
2. Opal Shops – Cabochons (solid) Doublet (thin wafer) Triplet (quartz) & Potch (worthless) Opals
3. Noodling Area – “Fossicking” for your own Opal on mullock hills for free, if you don’t use tools?
4. Golf Course – Must be seen to be believed, greens are brown formed from mix of sand/ sump oil
5. Umoona Opal Mine & Museum – Displays of the local history within an Opal shop underground
6. Branch Library – Has a special collection of books depicting CP in locked case, also free internet
7. Underground Church – In earth mound next to Rads. join a service or just call in to look around
8. Wind Turbine Generator – Seek it out over a hill near VC, it provides 4% of CP’s energy needs
8. Desert Cave Hotel – Has a fascinating underground walk way with exhibitions & displays
10. Sunsets – Best seen from Big Winch but wait awhile after sun has gone to see glorious effects

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Old Timers Mine – An original mine recently found with real seam of Opal in entrance wall
2. Crocodile Harry’s – 5km N/W of town, amazing dugout home of Harry a Latvian Baron

* “Me Against the World” – Ralph & Sue – Helen (Lib) – Charlotte – Yvonne - Sander