Woonq Blog

Coober Pedy, located in the far northern outback of South Australia, is known as the opal capital of the world. Opal mining dominates the local economy, as nearly 95 percent of the world’s opal supply comes from the local mines.

One of Coober Pedy’s most distinctive features is the fact that many locals (approximately half of the 3,000-person population) live in underground homes.

One reason for their unusual housing is that for about three months of the year, daily high temperatures average 94 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit (about 35 to 37 Celsius) or more — and can soar to well above 100 — while underground temperatures remain comfortable and nearly constant year-round (about 77 degrees Fahrenheit, 25 degrees Celsius).

If spending some time underground appeals to you, these bed and breakfasts and hotels in Coober Pedy, Australia, may be just the getaway you’re looking for.
(Be warned that Coober Pedy can be a rough place to visit, with about 250,000 mine shafts in the area and a landscape so stark it was used for such films as “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and “Red Planet.” Plenty of advance research will help your trip proceed smoothly.)

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