These pictures were taken between June 20th and June 21st during a two day layover in Coober Pedy, an opal mining town in northern South Australia. For those 'Mad Max III' and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" fans out there, Coober Pedy is where these films were shot; not because it's a beautiful or hospitable place (it isn't), but because it looks a lot like what the end of the world might look like. Rumor has it that the next two Star Wars will be filmed in Coober as well.
As you might guess, I spent a bit of time at the police station here. (No, not for that!) Actually, it was to register and get plates for Alice. South Australia is the second cheapest place to register a car (Western Australia being first) and Coober Pedy was our last stop before entering the Northern Territory. The police there were fairly on edge and not at all trustworthy. I found out after the fact that the police station, courthouse, a restaurant and a couple of police cars had been blown up since 1987 by jaded residents.
Little House on Coober Pedy+
It's not uncommon for temperatures in Coober Pedy to reach 50-55° C (120-135° F) for weeks at a time during 'The Dry'. To combat the heat, people live in dugout homes in the side of hills. Most of Coober Pedy's explosive-happy residents mine opals for about 20 hours per week - just enough to still be able to receive welfare on top of any opal they mine and sell.
Land Mine+
Here's one of the thousands of opal mine fields. Each dirt pile signifies the existence of an opal mine. Staking out a claim in Coober Pedy is as easy as finding an unworked spot and paying the government $100. You now own the claim and all the opal you can find there for a year.
Looking for a New Place to Live?+
So what does a mine look like inside? Well, some look like this mine dug from outside of a hill in. Once the claimholder is done mining, he or she will usually sell what's left to someone interested in turning it into a dugout home.
Fosslicking? Say what?+
Travelers are often allowed to "fosslick" (rummage through the remains of a spent mine) for any opal shards that miners may have missed. All I got for my effort was a kink in my lower back and dirty hands.
220m to the Sand Trap+
Coober's 9-hole community golf course isn't quite as lush as, say, Pebble Beach, but is a great place to work on your sand game.
Have a Drink on Me+
As you would probably expect, Coober Pedy is home to many eccentric locals. This particular local passed away a few years back, but requested that a running keg be present at his funeral for all of his drinking buddies. As you can see, it still remains, although it's cashed (I checked).