Australia's opal-mining capital provides the opportunity to unearth a fortune and chill out underground.
1. Get down and dirty Ever since 14-year-old Willie Hutchison stumbled upon opal in Coober Pedy in 1915, prospectors from around the world have flocked to this South Australian Outback settlement in search of their fortune. These days, with the opal fields dotted with mine shafts, wandering around on your own can be dangerous. The 'Down n' Dirty Tour' gives visitors the opportunity to dig up gemstones under the tutelage of an experienced opal miner. The tour starts at the Desert Cave Hotel's underground display area (bottom centre) with an informative talk followed by a visit to an area known as the 'jeweller's shop', where noodling (or fossicking) for opals in the dirt provides the chance to unearth a souvenir or two. Occasionally, someone hits the jackpot: according to our guide, one lucky visitor a few years ago got the shock of his life when he unearthed an opal worth A$50,000 (HK$321,000).
2. Underground homes One of the quirky things about Coober Pedy is that more than 60 per cent of the population live underground in 'dug-outs'. In summer, when outside temperatures can reach a sizzling 50 degrees Celsius, these homes maintain a cool 22 to 26 degrees. Faye's Underground Home (bottom left; entry A$4) is a 30-year-old dug-out excavated by one of the first female opal miners, Faye Naylor, along with two others, all using picks and shovels. Five rooms, a wine cellar and a swimming pool have been added to Naylor's home. These days, homes are dug using tunnelling machines and are equipped with plumbing, electrical wiring and cement floors. Some are stylishly furnished with polished timber floorboards, Italian tiles, Afghan rugs, contemporary decor and soft Italian leather sofas.
5. Stargazing Twenty kilometres from the lights of Coober Pedy, gaze in awe at the constellations and planets moving across the night-time canvas. The Southern Cross, the Big Dipper and Orion glitter like jewels against the unpolluted sky.