The Big Winch is a popular destination offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city. This establishment is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal, share a drink with friends, or immerse yourself in a cinematic experience in a panoramic cinema of 360°. The restaurant offers flavorful cuisine that will delight your taste buds.

Regine Mäckle, a German jewelry designer, completed a master goldsmith training at the prestigious Technical School for Jewelry in Pforzheim, Germany. There she acquired skills in design, silversmithing, enameling, and gem cutting.

In 2001, Regine had the opportunity to work in Coober Pedy  where she discovered opals and fell in love with the country.

The beautiful desert landscape of Australia is a major source of inspiration for her jewelry creations.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone 0428735852

Many shops, small or large, sell Aboriginal paintings in Coober Pedy.

"For true art enthusiasts heading to Alice Springs, it's better to postpone their purchases and visit the city's art galleries. There, you'll find well-trained and qualified enthusiasts who have studied the arts extensively. Alice Springs is a true hub for Aboriginal art, with many galleries of worldwide renown. You will see the greatest names in Aboriginal painting such as Ningura Napurrula, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaljarri, Bobby West Tjupurrulan, and many others.

For our numerous European clients, please note that there is a major specialist in Aboriginal art in Brussels: Bertrand Estrangin. He often lends his collection pieces to European and American museums. Every year, he travels to Australia to meet with painters, who are often located far in the bush. In just a few weeks, Bertrand covers thousands of kilometers in a 4x4, and he often rents a plane with a pilot for a week or two.  His website : ABORIGINAL SIGNATURE

The place is best visited in the late afternoon and staying until night.

You'll have the sun at your back, providing a perfect view to see the landscape colors enrich with warm light, where the emerging shadows lend the breakaways an almost biblical magnitude. The impression is akin to witnessing a remake of the creation of our planet Earth.

The local newspaper of our community.

Once available in paper form, it was widely distributed for free in several places in Coober Pedy.

With the advent of modernity, the newspaper has evolved. It is now accessible online, thus offering the possibility of being read on the Internet and even downloaded.

Compared to its beginnings, the Coober Pedy Times is somewhat less explosive today. Previously, it was used by miners as packaging to make their explosive sausages in the mines.

The lady, who leads the local newspaper, is an example of determination and kindness. Her charm and courage, combined with her intelligence, creativity, and compassion, make her a driving force behind local news. She inspires and guides the community with determination and resilience.

Crocodile Harry was a legendary figure in Coober Pedy, a friendly opal miner with a penchant for eccentricity. In his dugout, named "Crocodile Harry's Underground Nest," lived a whole bunch of characters as eccentric as he was, evoking the "Flower power" atmosphere and the Beat Generation, reminiscent of Jack Kerouac, but in a multiplied version.

Born Arvid Blumenthal in Germany, he emigrated to Australia in the early 1960s. Little is known about his life in Germany, and perhaps it's better that way. Some believe his life in Germany was rather scandalous.

His nickname supposedly originated from the few years he spent in the Darwin region working as a crocodile hunter.

There's no direct link between Crocodile Harry and Crocodile Dundee, the latter being just a fictional character portrayed by actor Paul Hogan. You're probably familiar with his films.

While Crocodile Harry had already become a legendary figure in Coober Pedy, we may have embellished his legend a bit by suggesting that the character of Crocodile Dundee was inspired by his life.

His underground home, unchanged since the day of his death, is like a pilgrimage site. All Australians know the legend of Harry.

Foreigners who are unaware of Crocodile Harry's life visit the place for a different reason. They've seen this house in the movies... You've already seen his house without knowing it...

Mad Max...

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner.

It's definitely worth going to see the place.

We welcome many French guests at the Coober Pedy Dugout B&B. They all express the same thought when they return from Crocodile Harry's place: "Crocodile Harry is the Australian equivalent of the "Facteur Cheval".

The "dog fence" in Australia, also known as the "Dingo Fence" or "Wild Dog Fence," is one of the longest fences in the world, spanning approximately 5,600 kilometers from Queensland to South Australia. Constructed in the 1880s, its primary purpose was to protect southeastern Australia's agricultural areas from dingo and other wild animal attacks that threatened livestock and native fauna.

The fence is primarily made of barbed wire fencing, standing approximately 1.8 meters tall, designed to prevent dingoes and other wild animals from entering agricultural zones.

Maintenance of the "dog fence" is overseen by state governments through which it passes, requiring regular upkeep to ensure its effectiveness, including repairs and reconstruction of sections damaged by weather or animal activity.

While the "dog fence" has successfully protected agricultural areas, it has also had environmental impacts. Some ecologists criticize the fence for disrupting natural animal migrations, which can affect local ecosystems.

One of the last drive-in theaters in Australia is located in Coober Pedy. It owes its existence to the energy of local film enthusiasts and the generous donations of the region's inhabitants.

It offers only one screening per week, featuring the same films as those in major cities. It's been quite some time since the old film reel projector was replaced by a digital projector.

Our Belgian clients are always amazed to learn that the new projector is a Barco, a Belgian manufacturer that invented and produces projectors. What surprises our Belgian clients even more is that Barco managed to involve Hollywood, film producers, and distributors in helping cinemas transition to digital by subsidizing a portion of the projectors.

If the movie showing during your stay in Coober Pedy appeals to you... Don't hesitate for a second.

104.5 FM

Some good information on this website

A little known place.
At kilometer 112 on the road to oodnadta, look right, and in the distance you will see a line of trees. A very long line of trees that hides a creek.

There are fish and wild cows that come and drink there.

Sometimes the creek is dry, leaving the fish trapped in a clay shell. However, the fish in the clay shell will survive until the water fills the creek again.

The driest golf course on the planet.

The only golf club where you have to come with your little piece of artificial grass

And yet.... Being a member of the Coober Pedy Golf Club allows you to go play in St Andrew,
the oldest and most prestigious golf club on the planet.

Very very difficult to play your ball on a green.

We can say that on this course, the worst golf player of Coober Pedy beats Tiger Woods.

THE PINK ROAD HOUSE

Absolutely a must-see.

Round trip in a day.

The perfect place to immerse yourself in the lives of local farmers who put on incredible entertainment on Saturday nights.

The geological formation of the Moon Plain dates back a long time, to the Cretaceous period. Many tourist guides talk about it and describe this place as a desert-like lunar landscape.

Contrary to its appearance, the Moon Plain teems with life. In addition to kangaroos, lizards, and rabbits, plenty of small creatures live there, which only an entomologist is capable of identifying. Obviously, you need a keen eye to see them.

A good rain for two or three days, and the Moon Plain is transformed. It changes its appearance. Billions of dormant seeds emerge from their torpor and begin to germinate. They produce miniature flowers in a yellow-green hue. From afar, the place seems to be covered with grass, and walking there at this time, in this hilly terrain, gives us the impression of being in Scotland. The Moon Plain is not always as flat as seen when going to the Breakaways. Further on, it gains relief, with very beautiful undulations.

You can find everything in this plain. Pieces of transparent gypsum, superb smooth stones with curious shapes, pieces of petrified wood, and even palm tree stumps with an impressive diameter: more than two meters.

One rule: do not touch anything, do not take anything away.

This Moon landscape has been used for the shooting of several films.

There is a legend about this plain. It is said that the place was used to train astronauts who walked on the moon. Some locals do not hesitate to assert that Americans never went to the Moon and that all the "images" were filmed here.

There is a legend about this plain. It is said that this place was used to train the astronauts who walked on the moon. Some locals do not hesitate to assert that the Americans never went to the Moon and that all the "images" were filmed here. To prove it, they carefully take out an old yellowed photo from their wallet. It's certainly an eccentric from Coober Pedy who makes these photos. We'll eventually find out who it is.

Another legend tells that the place was infested with giant grasshoppers and that the last one was purportedly killed in 1938 by Dean Miller.

Michael, the owner of Coober Pedy Dugout B&B, is a regular at these car races and a good driver and mechanic.
If you are good with him, he will show you his mechanics workshop, the place where he tinkers and repairs his racing cars.

This worhshop is not only wonderful but totally unique in the world.

You will be amazed...

 
Upcoming competitions 2026

• 3th - 4th April.        -   6 pm to 9 pm
•   9th May.               -    6 pm to 9 pm
• 14th June.              -    2 pm to 6 pm
• 11th July.               -    6 pm to 9 pm
•   1th August.           -   6 pm to 9 pm
•   5th September.   -   6 pm to 9 pm
•   3th October.        -   6 pm to 9 pm
• 31th October.        -   6 pm tp 9 pm
• 21th November.    -   6 pm to 9 pm

A good little film to watch to get a taste of Coober Pedy.

Not far from the drive-in, there's a spot where, with a bit of luck, you can find opals by scraping the ground, preferably with a small shovel. Fossicking is allowed there, but mining has been prohibited for a long time. The reason is evident: there's no question of destroying this part of the town. And yet... This place is very rich in opal, and there are exceptionally high-quality opals to be found

The annual Trade Fair in Coober Pedy is a significant event in the world of opals, drawing visitors from around the globe. Featuring exhibitor booths primarily made up of opal merchants, local miners, and traders.

The Painted Hills, also known as the Painted Desert, is a true natural treasure located 150 kilometers north of Coober Pedy. This place leaves no one indifferent. It's almost a metaphysical adventure, as the beauty of the hills sculpted by erosion and wind, with their various layers of warm colors, will impress you.

Going there for the day and staying until late is recommended. The hills seem to come alive under the changing light of the sun throughout the day.

The use of a 4WD is highly recommended.

Wanting to mingle and connect with local joggers.

It's every Saturday morning.

"Mingle" might not be the right word; the goal is to relax and stay fit. No spirit of competition, just a personal challenge to improve one's time.
Traveling is about moving, seeing new things, meeting people.

This jogging session is a great opportunity to see and talk to people. We exchange smiles and sometimes, a few words, and a connection forms, often leading to an open invitation. We might grab a coffee, get invited by those we spend an hour or two with at their place.

Check for details, as it doesn't happen all year round. When it's already 40 degrees in the morning...

The Coober Pedy train station, located 40 km from the town center in a place called Manguri, has everything to surprise you. The oddly shaped platform will also surprise you. It's not reserved for VIPs to access the carriages.

Why the railway station is located so far from the city?

The theories on this subject didn't wait for our era of 'fake news' or 'conspiracy theories' to emerge. In this regard, we were well ahead. Everyone has their own idea on the matter, but the prevailing notion would be that a local  truck driver didn't want to be in competition with railway freight.

The reason is more pragmatic. Coober Pedy is situated at a much higher altitude than the rest of the landscape. The route of the line was studied by surveyors who chose the best path: one that avoids monstrous earthworks.

(Link to the Facebook page of the Shooting Club

In Coober Pedy, nothing is thrown away... It's more than a habit, it's a religion.

Everything is recycled, given a new life or another use.

A good reason to spend a day wandering to find the craziest object.

"These artistic creatures serve a purpose: marking the access path to a property. It also helps ensure not getting too lost at night in areas where there is no public lighting."

 
Great Kanku - Breakaways Bolt

"The Coober Pedy marathon takes place in winter when it's not too hot."

"To find out when it takes place: Consult the city's website."

The Coober Pedy marathon occurs almost around the same time as the Marathon des Sables, which takes place in Morocco. It's a 250 km race in grueling temperatures. This marathon attracts participants from all over the world, with between 1000 and 1500 participants each year. 

Much is expected from the new team of the Coober Pedy Business Association to implement the Bush marathon in Coober Pedy every January when it's a guaranteed 45 degrees.

The first B&B in Coober Pedy was a government initiative. Although it was completely free, the comfort level was quite low. The temperatures in summer were appalling, bordering on survival. The single room served as both bedroom and bathroom, the latter being limited to a multi-purpose bucket. The place was not very big, but sufficient if one was traveling alone and was not taller than a kangaroo.

Knowing a bit about the early history of Coober Pedy, it was necessary to book well in advance. This was the first jail of Coober Pedy.

Opal festival

"Visit the  Opal Festival Website ."

Going for a drink in the evening at the Italian Club. The view of the city is very beautiful. Try to communicate and make friends with the locals... and perhaps stumble upon an opal miner who could show you their life underground in a mining gallery.

Well... you shouldn't dream too much. Descending into a mine requires certain qualities indeed.

• Being in good physical shape and capable of descending and ascending a vertical and unstable ladder of twenty meters is also necessary. And all this in a hole in the ground.
• Not being sensitive to vertigo is important too.
• Knowing how to listen to and follow the instructions of the miner is crucial.
• Being aware that this visit costs a lot to the kind miner. For him, it's a lost day of work, but above all, a significant expense in fuel.

Toothache, need a filling?

For this kind of problem, timing is crucial. No full-time dentist here. He comes occasionally. One might even say not often enough. And when someone in town has a painful dental issue and the dentist isn't here... There's no other choice but to go to Port Augusta.

Entering the tiny waiting room of the dental clinic housed in a trailer is not without a violent apprehension. One immediately feels transported to the USA during the conquest of the West, where itinerant dentists were often associated with more than dubious reputations.

When the dentist opens the door to the clinic, revealing the interior of his workshop, one cannot help but feel a loud sense of relief. The clinic is ultra-modern. The relief is such that one could have a tooth pulled without anesthesia and feel nothing.

- Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Elijah

- Catacomb Church

- St Peter & Paul’s Catholic Church

"These three underground churches are worth seeing. Each boasts a completely unique design, yet all have their own charm and evoke a distinct impression."

At the drive through bottle shop or at the bottle store next to the post office. Both shops are located near the roundabout. No confusion possible, there is only one roundabout in Coober Pedy.

According to the government's mood, alcohol consumption is limited in Coober Pedy. It is impossible to leave a shop with 10 bottles of whisky. Australian citizens will be asked to show their driver's license. Foreigners will need to show a passport.

Few places 

 The bakery.
That can be glimpsed from the famous roundabout.

And        

That is impossible to miss at the bottom of the main street.

 

John's Pizza Bar and Restaurant (08) 8672 5561
Web site: johnspizzabar.com.au

 

 

Shell Outback Bar & Grill

 

For the others below: Inquire with Irene or Michael. Some are open seasonally, while others do not serve meals every day.

• Greek Club
• Italian club
• RSL
• Downder Gallery & Cafe
• Ck Confectionaries Bakery
• Opal Inn Bistro and Restaurant
• Oliver street Restaurant
• The Bing Winch 360 Cafe & Wine Bar

You'll certainly see some if you go to see the Coober Pedy station. Wild horses with exotic coats. Allow themselves to be approached up to a distance of 10 meters if you are patient and delicate.

In the area, you may come across herds of wild cows. It's always impressive to see cows that belong to no one, that don't need farmers to ensure their survival.

For those with a sensitive soul, it's immediately heartening to see cows living in total freedom, that don't belong to anyone and won't end up on a plate.

William Creek serves as a gateway to the magnificent Lake Eyre, the largest salt lake in Australia. Situated approximately 60 km northeast of William Creek, Lake Eyre is renowned for its vast expanse and stunning landscapes. As the lowest point in Australia,

Lake Eyre is a natural wonder that fills up approximately every eight years, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

While in William Creek, be sure to visit the iconic William Creek Hotel, the town's only pub, which offers a unique and memorable experience.

In addition to Lake Eyre, don't miss the opportunity to explore the Painted Hills, accessible by scenic flights operated by Wright Air.

These flights provide breathtaking views of the region's remarkable scenery, including Lake Eyre and the vibrant hues of the Painted Hills.

For scenic flights and other aerial adventures, inquire with Wright Air, which offers multiple flight options departing from William Creek and Coober Pedy.

Explore the William Creek Museum, housed in the historic railway station that once served as a stop for the famous Ghan train. Discover the fascinating history of the area and its connection to the iconic outback railway.

https://www.wrightsair.com.au/

Little secret corner behind the water treatment plant.

Some very rare birds that enthusiasts of these flying objects come to see, and some come from very far away.

"You don't know what it is.

We can show you and point out a place to find it. You'll need a shovel and a pickaxe."