Coober Pedy, South Australia

Around Town

Known as the opal capital of the world because Coober Pedy produces more stones by mass, opals found in Coober Pedy are often of the crystal variety of which the base colour is transparent or translucent. The more fiery or intense the colours the more value in the stone. Australia produces roughly 95% of the world’s opals, opals found in Lightning Ridge in Queensland are of a higher quality than that of Coober Pedy. Opal mining is extremely demanding as about 85% of the opal found, called potch, holds no colour and is therefore of no value. Opal mining began in 1915, however the opal mining boom occurred much later in the 1970s after an influx of European migrants fleeing war-torn countries ventured to the region to stake their claim. 

​Surprisingly we were treated in Coober Pedy to an awesome IGA that stocked all our favourite health food products including kombucha that we were very grateful for. We also dinned out the local bakery recently revamped by a couple from Adelaide and the local pizzeria. We absolutely loved visiting Coober Pedy, despite the heat (we were there in mid-Summer) the atmosphere was welcoming and our curiosity was tickled as we ventured throughout the town, into the underground shops and marvelled at the hard work endured by the pioneering migrants who toiled in challenging and often dangerous conditions to make a living. 

The name “Coober Pedy” comes from the Aboriginal Australian kupa piti, meaning “boys’ waterhole.” However, another type of hole has become quite a hazard. Over the years, miners have dug over 250,000 shafts, making Coober Pedy a dangerous place for tourists to walk around carelessly. source Gem Society

Tom's Working Opal Mine

At Tom’s Working Opal Mine, which I don’t believe is an active mine anymore, we watched a video of the mine being detonated, which involved a stick of dynamite being placed into a predrilled hole and ignited. We laughed uncomfortably as the person holding the camera began to shake and back away quickly. The camera holder and the igniter both exiting the mine moments prior to hearing the bang and a burst of dust and rock escaping the hole. 

​Heading underground into the opal mine was a fascinating experience and was most enjoyable especially as we were the only two down there on this particular day. Given the time of year we were thankful the facility was open for us to have a look through. 

​Noodling is a form of opal mining that involves sifting through discarded mullocks for pieces of the precious stone – in a darken room an ultra-violet light passes over the mullock heap placed on a moving conveyor. The light illuminates the opal making it easier to spot and extract. ​The urban myth is that the word “noodling” is derived from “wet noddle” a derogatory term used to describe someone who was not considered brave enough to mine for opal underground instead preferring to stay on the surface.