Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy

Underground opal-mining town and the landscape that stood in for Mad Max 3.

3 tours
1 caravan park
8 articles
📷 4 photos
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Tours in Coober Pedy

See all 3 tours →
7 Day Adelaide to Uluru Adventure and Cultural Tour

7 Day Adelaide to Uluru Adventure and Cultural Tour

7 days
From AUD $1545
Adelaide to Coober Pedy 7-Day Small Group 4WD Eco Safari

Adelaide to Coober Pedy 7-Day Small Group 4WD Eco Safari

7 days
From AUD $5895
Full day The Painted Desert Tour in Outback South Australia

Full day The Painted Desert Tour in Outback South Australia

10 hours
From AUD $320
Coober Pedy () is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km (526 mi) north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals mined there. A blower truck is raised above the town sign, representing the importance of opal mining to the town's history. Coober Pedy is also renowned for its below-ground dwellings, called "dugouts", which are built in this fashion due to the scorching daytime heat. The name "Coober Pedy" is thought to derive from the Kokatha-Barngarla term kupa-piti, which translates to "whitefellas' hole", but in 1975 the local Aboriginal people of the town adopted the name Umoona, which means "long life" and is also their name for the mulga tree.

Background information about Coober Pedy adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Coober Pedy

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

Loading forecast…

Best time to visit Coober Pedy

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jun, Jul, Aug — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Feb, Dec if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
48°
13° low
8mm
Feb
47°
12° low
18mm
Mar
45°
10° low
8mm
Apr
41°
6° low
11mm
May
33°
4° low
11mm
Jun
28°
0° low
11mm
Jul
31°
0° low
5mm
Aug
34°
2° low
6mm
Sep
39°
3° low
8mm
Oct
42°
6° low
11mm
Nov
47°
7° low
11mm
Dec
49°
11° low
16mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

What else is around Coober Pedy

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (6)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Coober Pedy

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Clare Valley
734 km · 8h 35m
To Flinders Ranges
722 km · 8h 56m
To Barossa Valley
833 km · 9h 49m
To Adelaide
847 km · 9h 53m
To Eyre Peninsula
864 km · 10h 2m
To McLaren Vale
884 km · 10h 30m
To Riverland
918 km · 10h 48m
To Fleurieu Peninsula
927 km · 10h 59m

Photos from around Coober Pedy

Stuart Range Outback Resort
Stuart Range Outback Resort
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15 Day Outback Adventure
15 Day Outback Adventure
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Outback Accommodation
Outback Accommodation
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7 Day Adelaide < > Alice Springs Safari
7 Day Adelaide < > Alice Springs Safari
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Frequently asked about Coober Pedy

Where is Coober Pedy?
Coober Pedy is in Outback, South Australia, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other South Australia destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Coober Pedy?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Coober Pedy are typically June, July, August — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. December tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Coober Pedy?
Summer daytime highs average around 49°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 0°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 124 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Coober Pedy?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Clare Valley it's about 734 km — roughly 8h 35m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other South Australia destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Coober Pedy?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, Film set: Pitch Black Space Ship, Film set: Pitch Black Space Ship, The Cave (Faye's First Underground Home), Coober Pedy Sign. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Coober Pedy?
We list 1 caravan and holiday park in and around Coober Pedy above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Coober Pedy?
Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Coober Pedy to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 3 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Coober Pedy good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 12 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
Is there public transport at Coober Pedy?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Coober Pedy accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Coober Pedy are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Coober Pedy cost?
Budget travellers can do Coober Pedy on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Coober Pedy?
Most named destinations in South Australia have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

All tours in Coober Pedy

7 Day Adelaide to Uluru Adventure and Cultural Tour
7 Day Adelaide to Uluru Adventure and Cultural Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $1545
Adelaide to Coober Pedy 7-Day Small Group 4WD Eco Safari
Adelaide to Coober Pedy 7-Day Small Group 4WD Eco Safari
★ 5.0 · from AUD $5895
Full day The Painted Desert Tour in Outback South Australia
Full day The Painted Desert Tour in Outback South Australia
★ 5.0 · from AUD $320

Caravan parks nearby

Stuart Range Outback Resort
Stuart Range Outback Resort
Coober Pedy · The District Council of Coober Pedy
★ 4.1

Coober Pedy travel articles

📍
Outback South Australia Specials & Travel Deals
From Coober Pedy opal tours to Flinders Ranges camping, here are the best-value specials and seasonal deals in Outback South Australia worth booking now.
📍
Backpacker Accommodation in Outback South Australia
From Coober Pedy's underground dorms to William Creek's tin-roofed pub, here's where backpackers actually sleep in outback South Australia.
📍
Umoona
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE &nbsp; THE BREAKAWAYS RESERVE &nbsp; The Breakaways is located on the Aboriginal Antakirinja Land which is located in far North of South Australia, 25 Kilometres North-North-West of the Opal Mining Township of Coober Pedy. BACKGROUND Aboriginal people have lived in this area for
📍
Outback Hotels
» Click Here for A List of Accommodation in Outback South Australia Comfort Inn Augusta Westside [Choice Hotels] Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience [Choice Hotels]
15 Day Outback Adventure
15 Day Outback Adventure
AAT Kings South Australia , AAT Kings NT Enjoy 15 days of the Outback Adventure tour through Australia's rugged Outback with AAT Kings . A guided Premium Tour, featuring Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Kakadu National Park, Darwin. INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS Clare
Outback Accommodation
Outback Accommodation
Comfort Inn Augusta Westside Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience When travelling through Outback South Australia you can stay at any number of places for accommodation in this location. Whether you are just passing through, staying the night, bringing the family for an extended holiday, planning a hi
📍
13 Day Adelaide to Darwin
Visit all the great icons as well as the hidden treasures of the outback along the way. Yourambulla caves, the Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Kakadu National Park - just to name a few! ADELAIDE &lt; &gt; DARWIN TOUR CODE: PADE13 HIGHLIGHTS
7 Day Adelaide < > Alice Springs Safari
7 Day Adelaide < > Alice Springs Safari
A combination of camping and bunk house accommodation including staying underground at Coober Pedy. Travel via the Flinders Ranges, salt lakes and the Red Centre icons of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) ADELAIDE &lt; &gt; ALICE SPRINGS TOUR CODE: PAASE7 HIGHLIGHTS :: FLIN