Coober Pedy

Sunday 23.02.2020: We are heading towards Coober Pedy, only 277 km away, and we miscalculate our fuel supply or the consumption of our camper van. There is no gas station between Glendambo and Coober Pedy. 80 km before reaching our destination, the fuel light turns on. Turn off the air conditioning, all electrical consumers, and reduce speed to 60 km/h. Unfortunately, it is constantly uphill, but, it feels like with the last drop of fuel, we reach our goal.

After refueling, we look for accommodation because we would like to stay in an underground hotel and find an apartment at the Lookout Cave Hotel.

Then we drive to the Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, watch a film about the formation of opals and the development of mining in Coober Pedy, and take a tour of an underground house and the former mine, all very impressive. Once back on the surface, we can admire opals in all colors and sizes, set in gold or silver or just as stones.

Today, the mining is very mechanized. However, you can get a license for $210, stake a claim wherever you want, and start digging or drilling. However, the digger is not obligated to backfill his holes, so the landscape around the city is quite pockmarked and very dangerous. Digging is only prohibited in the immediate city area.

We also visit the Big Miner, a very nice opal shop, and talk to the owner, who is originally from Greece, for two hours. He invites us for a beer and shows us many of his self-made and impressive exhibits.