Remember the [Airstrip post] ?
Remember [Water] at Coober Pedy ?
Coober Pedy is a town you either love or hate. It's isolated and distance is only a number to the locals. It's about 846 km north of Adelaide SA.
About 150 million years ago Coober Pedy was covered by the ocean, when the water receded, the sand silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the rocky crack and cavities and solidified over time into multi-coloured gem stone - OPAL! (No I didn't buy one)
Many of the houses are underground, have chimneys out the top of the hills - these are air vents.
The first thing you do when going into a town is look for the Caravan Park. We chose the first one we came to as we had stayed here before.
It was filling up with Caravans, campers and so on, and we ended up being packed in like sardines.
Near empty and no grass, to be a common thing from now on.
Getting full.
As you get closer to Coober Pedy you come across these mounds of dirt/gravel. They are mines searching for OPALS.
A sign to remind you of what goes on.
Around
150 million years ago, Coober Pedy was covered by ocean - and when the
water receded, the sandy silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the
rocky cracks and cavities and solidified over time into multi-coloured
gem-stone - opal. - See more at:
http://www.cooberpedy.net/#sthash.6eKAoGQW.dpuf
Around
150 million years ago, Coober Pedy was covered by ocean - and when the
water receded, the sandy silica minerals from the seabed flowed into the
rocky cracks and cavities and solidified over time into multi-coloured
gem-stone - opal. - See more at:
http://www.cooberpedy.net/#sthash.6eKAoGQW.dpuf
Fabulous truck mounted on posts, and I would have bought an opal, they are so pretty and delicate. Thanks for the photos.
ReplyDeleteTruck does look rather nice right up there on the pole. No, no opals did we buy..
DeleteOnly the real hardy types live in Coober Pedy.
ReplyDeleteThe opals are some, if not, the best in the World.
I'd want to be very successful in opal mining to live there, Hosa!
Still it is a great tourist attraction - so good for the non-miners
who accommodate and supply food/drink for the visitors - they need
very cent they can get, so I wouldn't go about whinging about the high
prices in the shops etc. That would be something that you and "shanks"
would understand.
Everything would be trucked in and that costs money!
Great report, Margaret.
Only two days to go now - I can almost taste those Terrigal oysters and
prawns already - ha ha.
Cheers
Colin
So many people complained about the high price of everyday items in isolated areas. We didn't because it's true what you say, this we knew and know from previous trips in our land.
DeleteNot a place I could live. Not so much the isolation, but the heat. And the lack of green. I don't think my claustrophobia would like living underground either.
ReplyDeleteMining, whatever the mineral sought for, is not for sissies.
Have to be tough and love this place to live there...I could for awhile.
DeleteAre you bringing home some opals, they are very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMerle.............
They are lovely, so many colours. No, didn't bring any home :)
Deletethat sign sure illustrates the point, a scary thought
ReplyDeleteSure is a good sign...make one think..
DeleteLovely photos, and I know I would be miserable living in a desert type place, with lack of green, and way too hot. I would miss the trees, the birds singing, the green grass. :)
ReplyDeleteWe take those things you mentioned for granted, Coober Pedy people may not have seen green grass, birds singing for many year...
Deletehm, woudln't go of the road if I see a sign like that.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
You are adventurous...I bet you would go.
DeleteMargaret it is a really amazing place and so isolated.. But masterpiece of nature
ReplyDeleteVery isolated Gosia..
Deleteinteresting...what a moonscape. Eh
ReplyDeleteSure is like a moonscape, and more to come.
DeleteBesides of the lack of vegetation it is noteworthy, the reddish color from the earth.
ReplyDeleteKisses
The earth gets redder as one goes north.
DeleteI couldn't possibly go to Coober Pedy and NOT come home with an opal.
ReplyDeleteI really would like to explore one of those underground homes, I believe some of the accommodation is underground too.
I had to be strong and not buy an opal....Winton always had lovely ones.
DeleteWhat a fantastic sign. Every town should have one highlighting the essence of the place. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey should. There were more sign about in the right places, saying the same thing..
DeleteThat truck sign is too cool.
ReplyDelete