Collection
Multicultural Coober Pedy
A tiny desert town of ~2,000 people drawn from dozens of nations — its clubs and churches tell the story of who came chasing opal.
For such a small, remote town, Coober Pedy is astonishingly diverse — its ~2,000 residents trace their roots to around 35 nations, drawn here across a century of opal rushes. You taste it and see it in the nationality clubs and the churches: an Italian miners’ club since 1964, a thriving Croatian community, the Greek community’s Friday BBQ, and underground places of worship carved into the rock. This collection brings them together — and the heritage story fills in how it came to be.
- Attractions
Coober Pedy Italian Club
A warm, volunteer-run miners' club since 1964 — hearty Italian meals, a beer garden with sunset views and walls full of opal-field history. Visitors welcome.
- Attractions
Coober Pedy Croatian Club
The social heart of Coober Pedy's large Croatian mining community — the Croatian Welfare & Sports Club, part of what makes this such a multicultural town.
- Eateries
Greek Hall — Friday Greek BBQ
Authentic Greek BBQ every Friday night at the Greek Hall — a Coober Pedy community institution.
- Attractions
Serbian Orthodox Church of St Elijah
The largest underground church in town — 17m below ground, with carved rock walls and stained glass.
- Free
- Underground
- Attractions
Catacomb Church (Anglican)
A cross-shaped underground church cut from sandstone in 1977, with fittings made from mulga wood and an old miner's winch.
- Free
- Underground
- Attractions
St Peter & Paul's Catholic Church
An underground Catholic church carved into the rock — completing Coober Pedy's trio of dugout churches.
- Free
- Underground