19 Best Things to Do in Cooper Pedy with Kids
Are you thinking about going to Coober Pedy with kids and want to know what fun things you can do there?
Coober Pedy, located in Outback South Australia, is unlike any place I had ever been before, which is exactly why I wanted to visit.
After seeing Coober Pedy on the TV show Instant Hotel years ago, I have wanted to visit. When we decided to take the kids to South Australia, I was determined to add it to our itinerary, even though it was summer and could be extremely hot.
While I would suggest visiting Coober Pedy during the autumn or winter months, we did enjoy our time there even though it was hot. Coober Pedy is worth visiting with kids.
Keep reading to find the best things to do in Coober Pedy with kids.
Tour an Underground Mine
Depending on the time of year you visit Coober Pedy, different opal mines are open for tours.
Options for underground opal mine tours in Coober Pedy include:
We visited Old Timer’s Opal Mine as it was open during our visit. If there is a mine you want to visit, be sure that it will be open when you plan to visit, as many of them close for a while in the summer.
In addition to the self-guided tour of the opal mine at Old Timer’s, there is also a museum that includes an underground home. Old Timer’s is open daily.
At Umoona Opal Mine, you can view the museum for free. Guided tours are offered multiple times daily, except there are no tours on Tuesdays.
Tom’s Opal Mine offers both self-guided and guided tours from April until October. They are pet-friendly. Free noodling takes place at Tom’s when they are open.
As long as at least 5 guests sign up, Riba’s Underground Tours are offered most evenings. Riba’s is the only place in Coober Pedy where you can visit a mine at night.
Go Noodling for Opals
From the moment we arrived in Coober Pedy, my youngest couldn’t wait to get his hands on a shovel so that he could dig for opals.
It just so happens there is an area where you can go noodling for opals for free any time of day.
Dirt is brought from the opal mines and piled up just outside of town. Anyone can go through the dirt with the hope of finding opals.
Visitors can also go noodling at Tom’s Opal Mine.
Explore the Breakaways
Pictures do not do The Breakaways justice.
Be sure to go online and book a pass to Kanku Breakaways Conservation Park. If you would rather purchase a pass in person, you can get one at the Coober Pedy Visitor’s Centre or Underground Books.
Located 25 kilometers north of Coober Pedy, The Breakaways has a unique and colorful landscape.
Most of the time, you remain in your car as you drive to lookouts, but there are a few times when you can park and explore The Breakaways.
Note that there is a dirt road leading up to The Breakaways, and sometimes it is 4WD only.
See Dingo Fence
On the way to The Breakaways, stop to see the Dingo Fence or Dog Fence.
No matter what you call it, the fence is one of the longest structures in the world at 5,614 kilometers (3,488 miles).
Write Your Name on the Cave at Crocodile Harry’s Underground Nest and Dugout
We stopped at Crocodile Harry’s on our way back to Coober Pedy from The Breakaways and weren’t quite sure what to expect.
No one was there when we arrived, but a large dog was lying down, and there was a box for donations on the counter.
After realizing that the dog was completely harmless, we put money in the donation box and walked around.
Most of the walls are covered with writing, the majority of which are names and dates that go back almost 40 years.
Inside the cave, you will find artwork, a collection of bras, and a large crocodile, among other unique items.
The rooms are pretty dusty. One other group arrived while we were there are like us; they didn’t know what to think.
Our kids loved the entire experience. Luckily, we happened to have a Sharpie in the car so they could write their names on the wall. I was surprised there weren’t any Sharpies inside the cave.
See The Big Winch 360
Though it was not playing during our time in Coober Pedy, seasonally, there is a show at The Big Winch.
The Big Winch 360 takes place hourly during opening hours, with the show lasting about 40 minutes.
The show was filmed over a year and shows the stories of modern-day Coober Pedy.
Meals are also served at The Big Winch 360.
Check out the View from The Big Winch
Even if you aren’t there to see a show, be sure to head up to The Big Winch to check out the view of Coober Pedy from above.
You can see The Big Winch from the street, but it is worth heading up to the top of the hill to check out the view.
Stay in an Underground Hotel
Just being in your underground hotel room is a fun thing to do with kids in Coober Pedy.
Even on hot days (it got up to 42 Celcius which is 108 Fahrenheit, on our trip), the room stays cool and comfortable. The kids were more than happy to watch TV from inside a cool cave.
Plus, the room stays dark, which helps everyone sleep in.
Where to Stay in Coober Pedy with Kids
Visit an Underground Church
There are multiple underground churches that you can visit in Coober Pedy.
Catacomb Church is a smaller church and is free to enter. No one is there, but the doors are open, and there are directions to turn the lights off when you leave. Catacomb Church has a small play area for kids in the back with blocks and other toys.
The Serbian Orthodox Church is much larger, and they do ask for a donation to enter. Again, no one was there, but the doors were open.
If you go during church services, of course, expect to see others. We visited on a weekday morning.
Go Swimming
Even if you do not have a swimming pool in your accommodations, you can swim in Coober Pedy.
A public swimming pool is located at the school. As it is at the school, it is not open during school hours.
The swimming pool is partially shaded.
Meet the Joeys at Josephine’s Gallery
We visited Josephine’s Gallery and saw a lot of unique Aboriginal art, but they also have kangaroos that you can visit twice a day.
Orphaned joeys are taken care of at Josephine’s Gallery, and visitors are welcome to attend their daily feeding for a fee.
Walk the Well-Being Labyrinth
A labyrinth is set up for calming and relaxation. It is open 24 hours a day.
Anyone can go and walk in the labyrinth.
Check out a Spaceship
Take the kids to see a movie prop spaceship in Coober Pedy. Head to 111 Hutchinson Street to view the spaceship.
See the Big Goana
Stop to show the kids the Big Goanna, one of Australia’s big things.
Try Unique Pizza at John’s
John’s Pizza Bar and Restaurant has a large variety of pizza toppings, many of which you can find anywhere, but they also have a native pizza collection that features pizzas with emu and kangaroo.
Things To Do in Coober Pedy at Night
See the Big Miner
Take a photo with the Big Miner, another of the big things to see in Australia.
Shop for Souvenirs
While opals are on the high end, there are plenty of shops with souvenirs for kids in Coober Pedy.
All the opal mines you can tour include a souvenir shop, and there are quite a few shops located around town.
My kids ended up buying some colorful lizards and were lucky enough to be gifted a box of rough-cut opals from the woman at Opalios Opal Shop. They are currently in a jar of water on our counter.
Take a Mail Run Tour
Up to 4 guests can head out on a mail-run tour where they will witness mail being delivered to cattle stations and outback towns.
Famous sites will be visited, and a meal will take place at an outback pub.
Most of the roads are unsealed.
Spot Unique Outback Wildlife
We saw quite a few different types of lizards during our time in Coober Pedy. Most of the time, they were running across the road.
We also saw emu on our way into Coober Pedy.
Are you driving from Adelaide to Coober Pedy? Find the best places to stop on the way.
Best Things to Do in Coober Pedy with Kids Wrap-Up
No matter what time of year you choose to visit Coober Pedy, you will be able to find fun things to do with kids while you are there.
Coober Pedy is known for being an underground outback town. Not only can you stay in an underground hotel, but you can also visit underground churches, mines, and shops.
You will most likely spot unique wildlife during your trip to Coober Pedy, so look out!
Be sure to take a trip to the Breakaways to see stunning scenery in a remote location.
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