Where is the opal capital of the world?
South Australia
Coober Pedy is located in South Australia, over 1,000 miles from Canberra, the country’s capital city. The town is referred to as the “opal capital of the world.” Coober Pedy is an Aboriginal word that roughly translates to “white man in a hole.”
What is Coober Pedy known for mining?
Coober Pedy supplies most of the world’s gem-quality opal; it has over 70 opal fields and is the largest opal mining area in the world.
Why are houses built underground in Coober Pedy?
More than half the people of Coober Pedy, an opal mining town in the center of the South Australian desert, live underground to survive the scorching summer heat and freezing winters. Their homes — built into caves, hills and old mine shafts– stay a pleasant 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round.
What is the history of Coober Pedy?
Coober Pedy is the world’s largest opal bearing region and produces over 80% of Australia’s opal. It was originally named the “Stuart Range Opal Mines” after the explorer John McDouall Stuart, who narrowly missed the area in 1858 when he circled the present site of Coober Pedy and named the range after himself.
When did opal mining start in Coober Pedy?
Around 1915, a teenage boy whose father was gold prospecting discovered opal in Coober Pedy. Although the first opal claim was staked soon after, it took time before opal mining took off in the area. After WWI, returning soldiers, accustomed to living in trenches, drifted to the opal fields to seek their fortune.
What is the history of Coober Pedy Australia?
The Coober Pedy Historical Society run by volunteers, collects, maintains and preserves the town’s archives, a collection of over 4,000 documents and photos that has been recognised by the National Library of Australia as being of national significance.
Who was the first explorer to pass near Coober Pedy?
Coober Pedy has over 70 opal fields and is the largest opal mining area in the world. Aboriginal people have a long-standing connection with the area. The first European explorer to pass near the site of Coober Pedy was Scottish-born John McDouall Stuart in 1858.
What’s the average temperature in Coober Pedy in the winter?
The average maximum temperature is 30–32 °C (86–90 °F), but it can get quite cool in the winter. Coober Pedy is a very small town, about halfway between Adelaide and Alice Springs. It has become a popular stopover point and tourist destination, especially since 1987, when the sealing of the Stuart Highway was completed.
