Eerie photos of the Australian mining town where thousands of people live underground
At first glance, it might not look like there is much to see in the Southern Australian town.
But if you look closer, you can see chimneys poking through the desert terrain.
That's because most of the resident's homes in Coober Pedy are built underground with full fledged living rooms, bedrooms, and even curtains for faux windows.
The name Coober Pedy actually means “white fella’s hole in the ground,” and its dugouts started when construction workers and soldiers returning from World War I settled here back in 1917.
Source: Coober Pedy
Living underground was extremely tough at first, with water being hand-carted to the dugouts daily. Thankfully, the town has an underground water source today to help facilitate its various attractions.
If you're craving a cold brew in a cozy and dimly-lit atmosphere, you can head to their underground bar.
Or pay a visit to its two underground churches. The stained glass windows look stunning when illuminated in the dark caves.
And if you feel like reading, there is even an entire underground bookstore.
Plus, you can see what living underground is like at the Desert Cave Hotel, the world's first internationally rated underground hotel. Its architecture is made from sandstone, allowing it to stay cool and dry at all times.
Source: Reuters
Of course, residents don't spend all of their time underground. You'll often see outdoor activities that include golfing (though you won't find any grass), drive-in cinemas, and horse races nearby.
Celebrating its 100th year this year, Coober Pedy was founded when a 14-year-old boy stumbled on a gemstone—opal— that led to the town’s popularity.
Dug up by miners for years, the area is surrounded with piles of excavated sand, some of which still hide precious opal gemstones.
Many tourists come to Coober Pedy to try and find the colorful stones.
We can see why, as they're extremely beautiful. Today, Coober Pedy is the supplier of most of the world's opal.
Source: The Telegraph
Its iconic mining history has led to the creation of a museum on site where you can explore tunnels and rooms filled with props that showcase what life was like for the miners in the 1900s.
The area's landscape is a favorite for directors, with flicks like "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," "Red Planet," and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" having been shot there. And be sure to check out the giant set prop that remains on the site from filming of "Pitch Black."
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