subject: Opal Mines in Coober Pedy [print this page] The town that is producing 80% of the country's mined opal is found in Flinders Ranges. The name of the city is Coober Pedy- the opal capital worldwide. It's 846 km north of Adelaide and a home to 3,500 citizens of diverse ethnicities. Accordingly, there were few inhabitants in the place until the discovery of opal. Regardless of the ranging hot temperature, migrants in city kept their Flinders Ranges accommodation hoping to find fortune in opal mining. Mining started as early as 1915 when a four years old old boy discovered an opal in the area. Currently, opal mining is ongoing and the old mining places have been given great value to the place. There are 3 old mining places in the city namely The Old Timers Mine, Faye's Underground Home and Opal Mine and Umoona Opal Mine and Museum
The Old Timers Mine was founded in 1916. It is one of the Flinders Ranges attractions that become a part of South Australia's award winning tourist attraction. The museum conveys much about the earlier mining field of the place. It exhibits underground houses of miners, information galleries, and collections of opal jewelry. The galleries describe how pioneer miners struggle to search for opals. There were sculptures of old miners doing specific jobs. Among the sculpted old miners are Jim ONeill, George Burford, Ben Mohr, Mick OReilly, Bob Trow, Carl Wills, Ron Gough and Minnie Berrington. The museum features the gallery of Ron Gough who fathered opal mining in the city. Different types of opals dug from the area are displayed such as the seam gray opal, the horizontal pocket of crystal opal, the pocket of potch and colour left by old miner, and also the opalized sea shells. One can also view the hand-made shaft, the walls manually dig by hand using the old digging tools, the dirt or mullock and backfilled shaft. The museum also houses the ancient tools that were used in the mine such as cow buckets, windsocks that ventilated the mine, and windlass. The museum alsohas an opal shop for tourists who want to buy souvenirs.
Next to Old Timers Mine is Faye's Underground Home and Opal Mine. Initially, it was a small hole resulted from an excavation for mining an opal. It eventually became a room for mail truck driver. In 1961, a lady named Faye Nayler who migrated to the town as a cook purchased the place. She then transformed the room with the help of two other women. The three ladies utilized shovels and pick to expand the space adding three bedrooms, kitchen, wine cellar and swimming pool. The property is well ventilated with shafts. There's no need to use air conditioners during daytime and heaters during nighttime since the underground house provides a stable heat of 20-25 deg. The house is presently maintained by Colin McClean and his wife. The McCleans opens the house to visitors.
One will see Umoona Opal Mine and Museum in the main street of Coober Pedy. It shows opal cutting and polishing, genuine underground houses, South Australia fossil, wide range of opal jewelry for sale, postcards and souvenirs. One can see the 20-minute documentary of opal mining history in the spot. Underground homes dug by hand and by machineries are also exhibited. There are also old photographs exhibited in the place. There are also display of genuine old paintings and artifacts by local artists.
Be part of Coober Pedy's opal mining history. Explore the underground museums of historical opal mining places in the town. Moreover,, experience how the residents reside underground by staying in one of Flinders Rangers accommodations built underground.
