The mole people of the Desert: The town where people live underground

Coober Pedy, located in the arid northern outback of South Australia, is famous as the world’s leading producer of opals, contributing to more than 70% of the world’s supply. The town was established in 1915 after the discovery of opal by prospectors and quickly became a key mining centre.

To cope with extreme weather conditions, where summer temperatures can rise above 40°C (104°F), many residents live in underground houses known as “jugouts.” These structures are carved into the earth to provide a cooler and more stable living environment compared to traditional surface houses. This unique lifestyle extends to various underground facilities, including churches, shops and even hotels, making Coober Pedy distinctive for its extensive underground architecture.

Coober Pedy’s landscape is dotted with thousands of mine shafts and piles of excavated rock, reflecting the town’s ongoing mining activities. The local economy remains heavily dependent on opal mining, with numerous active mines. In addition to mining, tourism plays an important role as visitors are drawn to explore the opal mines, underground attractions and learn about the city’s mining heritage.

Despite the challenges posed by the harsh environment, Coober Pedy remains a major contributor to the opal market and an iconic site within Australia’s mining industry. The town’s innovative solutions to extreme conditions, combined with its continued role in the opal industry, make Coober Pedy a fascinating and resilient community.