COOBER PEDY UNDERGROUND ACCOMMODATION | ABOUT US
Located a short two hour flight from Adelaide, is the small outback town of Coober Pedy, where underground accommodation is the norm. Famous for its subterranean homes and rich opal deposits, if you are looking to experience the quintiessential outback Australian lifetsyle, The Lookout Cave should not be missed.
THE LOOKOUT CAVE | A BRIEF HISTORY
The Lookout Cave was established in 1993 and is one of the world's largest underground accommodation providers featuring 15 Underground Motel Rooms, two Original Miners Dugouts and a two bedroom Underground Queen Apartment.
In the 1960's opal miners resided in the four dugouts across the front of the property through to the mid-late 80's. The owner of the property Tasso Doumanis saw potential in the large land allotment and the motel was on its way to being created. Tasso kept 3 of the Dugouts as self contained apartments for the motel and modified the 4th as the Motel reception and caretakers residence. Originally 10 rooms were dug out on the first hallway, then extending the hallway perpendicular to the first and adding the additional 5 rooms across the back of the property.
ABOUT COOBER PEDY
Coober Pedy is almost smack bang in the middle of South Australia, approximately 856km's north of Adelaide, 685km's south of Alice Springs and 730km's south of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Coober Pedy is also known as the "Opal Capital of the World" and has been supplying the world with the majority of gem quality opal since its discovery. Opal was literally stumbled upon in Coober Pedy on the 1st of February 1915 by a young gold prospector William Hutchison whilst travelling the outback in search of gold. William (14 years old) accompanied by his father and M. McKenzie, were seeking out water when William unexpectedly discovered opal on the surface of the ground. Not long after the first opal claim was pegged and the beginning of the opal mining industry was on its way to being established.
UNDERGROUND ACCOMMODATION IN COOBER PEDY
In addition to being famous for its opal mining, Coober Pedy is also known for its underground accommodation. This area of Australia is unforgiving and severe, particularly in regards to its extreme temperature’s and weather conditions. The only way to escape the heat, sun, dust storms and freezing cold temperatures overnight in winter is to bunker underground. Having been dug out from pick and shovels and round and square tunnel machines, each dugout is different from the other.
The town has evolved into one of the most unique places in Australia and perhaps the world to visit. A cosmopolitan town with a population of 2,000 and a melting pot of over 45 different nationalities. This multicultural aspect gives this outback town an unexpected array of cosmopolitan culture. Coober Pedy today relies as much on tourism and regional services as it does the opal mining industry to provide the community with employment and sustainability.
COOBER PEDY UNDERGROUND AND ABOVEGROUND ATTRACTIONS
Coober Pedy and its surrounding areas have some of the outbacks best kept secrets, thereby offering its residents and travellers a unique outback adventure sure to please.
Our tourist attractions include The Breakaways Reserve (a back drop to many famous Australian & overseas films), The Moon Plains, The Dingo/Dog Fence, Underground Churches & Homes, Opal Fields, Opal shops, dirt golf course. In addition to this we are also home to the award winning Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, Tom's Working Opal Mine, Josephine's Art Gallery & Kangaroo Orphange, Crocodile Harrys, The Painted Desert, Lake Eyre & so much more.