Coober Pedy (the name comes from the local Aboriginal term kupa-piti, which means "white man's hole") is located in the Australian outback about 846 kilometers north of Adelaide.
The town was established in 1915 following the discovery of opal. People from all over Europe flocked to the area to strike it rich in the mines, but soon discovered working below ground was actually easier than living above it, as temperatures in the desert can reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Due to the inhospitable climate, residents prefer to live in caves bored into the hillsides ("dugouts"). While structures above ground need air conditioning, dugouts remain at a constant temperature. Some residences are as big as mansions, covering 450 square meters. There are underground churches, stores, galleries and the award-winning Desert Cave Hotel, the world's first 4-star luxury property of its type, complete with mining display and opal gallery.
Coober Pedy is also a favorite locale for filmmakers and has been featured in Until the End of the World and The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
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