Beneath the unassuming surface of Coober Pedy, Australia, lies a hidden world where innovation meets necessity. With 95% of the town concealed underground, visitors may find the landscape puzzling.
Derived from the Aboriginal term “kupa-piti”, literally meaning “white man in a hole,” Coober Pedy thrives in the subterranean. As temperatures soar to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) above ground, the dwellings below maintain a comfortable 71 to 72 degrees (21-.66-22.22 degrees Celsius), rendering air conditioners unnecessary.
Approximately 1,000 underground abodes and a population of 1,500 reflect a community shaped by the need for respite from the harsh exterior. From subterranean churches to motels, the town boasts a myriad of innovative underground structures.
Residents have crafted homes, expanded over time, with some even resorting to unconventional methods like controlled blasting. In this remote enclave, a sense of love for the unconventional lifestyle prevails, transcending the vast geographical isolation from the rest of the world.
Top Image: Crocodile Harry’s Underground Nest, one of the homes in Coober Pedy. Source: malickim/Adobe Stock
