As we were spending two nights in Coober Pedy we did not need to rush in the morning but that did not stop Branch from making an early morning appearance to remind everyone that all is not doom and gloom and any issue can be sorted no matter how big or small…. Trev detected that we were missing a towel and was certain I had left mine at the showers last night – he clearly remembered hanging up his towel the night before after returning from the amenities after me and had seen only 1 towel on the rail – allegedly! After searching the amenities and laundry I could not locate the towel – I was sure I had brought it back with me the night before but Trev was very insistent as to what he had seen…that was until he opened the drivers side door and found HIS towel on the front seat….Branch ensconced on the towel smiling broadly. See it pays not to be too certain of what you had seen!!

Everyone did a bit of tinkering here and there tightening nuts and screws that had rattled loose the day before. We then went into town to the Umoona opal mine and history museum for a mine tour. We had done the tour previously but this time it was even more informative – our guide was Sonya who turned out to be Swiss and knew an impressive amount about opals and mining them.

We toured through the miner’s residence first – most people in Coober Pedy still live in the underground dugouts which they now turn into very unique but beautiful homes. As the temps outside are extreme (up to 52 degrees in summer and below zero in winter) the underground homes are perfect as they are at a constant temp of 22-26 degrees without any heating or cooling. The homes have all the comforts of a typical house but only limited by your imagination – if you need another room or cupboard you just dig one out – any shape or size!

The opal mine was a stark opposite to the silver mine in Broken Hill – it needed no supports as the ground is sandstone mixed with gypsum – miners drill down and then dig by hand when opal is found so as not to damage the gemstone. Airshafts were dug – the guys were keen to inspect the upward passage.

Opal was still located in this mine – Trev eyeballing the sample entombed in the rock – anyway of just chipping it out??

The area was a honeycomb of passages and it would have been quite easy to get lost. We emerged up the main exit tunnel to the shop and museum where we took advantage of the complimentary tea and coffee…. Trev bought me a beautiful opal ring as an anniversary gift.. and Gordie bought Kerrie an opal “K” necklace.

Outside we took in the view of Coober Pedy township…

before moving on to the Catacomb church – the Anglican underground church dug out of the side of a hill.

We were taking some photos inside when 2 bikies Mal and “Bomber” from God’s Squad came in – they were great Christian blokes and took a group photo for us. We spent some time talking to them – Bomber is a pastor at Yass – and then we prayed together and went on our separate ways.

Our next stop was Faye’s underground home dug out by 3 women in the 1960s-70s. Again it had all the comforts of home with an inground swimming pool also dug by the women – it apparently was party central in the ‘70s in Coober Pedy!

The home even has a “dog cupboard” where the women’s dogs slept – Rosie and Gordon were suitably impressed!

We left the underground home and walked past the public noodling area where you could fossick for opals….

After a quick lunch at the local “Passion Bakery” where Trev made friends with “$2” a local aboriginal who asked Trev for some money to buy a  cool drink – Trev went one better and bought him some cold water which he then rudely refused…not so needy after all!!

The same bloke later took a shine to Annette outside the hardware store – again hoping for “$2” – the hardware store owner told Glen and Annette his name was “$2” and he then sent him politely on his way.

Back to camp where it appears Branch had been at work.. Glen was able to put his fridge back in completely and it appears to be working!!

Dave noticed some water again under his van – on inspection it seemed a rock had punched a hole into his grey water pipe – not a big deal at this stage and not too difficult to repair.

We drove out to the Breakaways and took in the spectacular view across the plain. The area had been used for locations in movies such as Mad Max beyond Thunderdome and Red Planet. Much to Trev’s disappointment it was a “no drone zone” which was really unfortunate as the landscape was awesome and aerial photos would have been the best way to do it justice!

Trev disappeared down the cliff only to reappear as a dot in the distance which gave some perspective to the size of the panorama. Rosie was sure the large mound in the distance was an opal mine but Gordie soon put that idea to rest.

We drove down to the castles – like salt and pepper shakers – and marvelled at the unique and wonderful variety of God’s creation.

We fulfilled Annette’s fetish for shadow photos with a group shot….

Driving back into Coober Pedy the mullock hills were everywhere evidence of the multitude of opal mines all around the town

Trev had a drive of the Titan on our way back into town – very salubrious vehicle!!

The most beautiful plant so far was the Sturt’s desert pea in full bloom in Coober Pedy…

Coober Pedy is a fascinating place with so many random metal sculptures and lots of junk lying around – very unique but great to visit!

As we were planning for a 630 am start we had dinner at John’s Pizzeria – huge portions and great food – and then headed back to camp to pack down ready for the early morning exit.