The 14 best churches in Coober Pedy

This is truly one of those hidden outback gems where the kitchen staff/head chef & owners all come together. The food/service/pricing is next level. Spoke to kitchen crew to personally thank their efforts- all so happy and friendly. Sunsets are next level.

Very average food, staff were ok not too overly friendly. The atmosphere was great and seeing the view is fantastic also, great sitting area outside. Good shop to buy some souvenirs. Toilets are very dirty.. also no prices for drinks so have to keep asking.

They smashed it out of the park. After visiting a couple of opal minds and at a loose end on what to do next, we popped into the Big Winch. Views of the town were fantastic, so I wasn’t expecting anything special. I ordered the laksa and Carola ordered the steak sandwich. The laksa was creamy and fragrant, the chicken succulent and the noodles perfectly cooked. I requested a sambal on the side which gave my dish that added kick. On asking would you like to share, there was none of it. I couldn’t fault the food, service and view. Coober Pedy is literally in the middle of nowhere but this place is well worth a visit if you’re passing through.

Easy to park, staff very pleasant, our egg and Bacon were delicious, you even received a little brownie with your coffee ( yum). The shop had lots of variety of clothes, soft toys and souvenirs. There was various seating, from booths,little tables for to or long ones for groups. There was outside seating, but as the wind was very strong, it wasn't that pleasant with all the dust. If you like my reviews please follow us around Australia 🇦🇺.

The cheesy garlic bread was absolutely amazing definitely worth the 16$. I’m pretty sure I traveled to a different planet when I had that cheesy piece of heaven. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better my burger with the lot came out. Biggest burger I think I’ve ever had yet I still probably ate it the fastest I’ve ever eaten a burger. The mix of different flavours is incredible very well made. Not sure who the chef is but that man needs a raise. My chips were also gold and crispy with the perfect amount of salt. Will definitely come back this place is so good. Definitely leaving a tip

Came to watch the sunset while on a quick stop over on the way to Uluru. I ordered the works cheeseburger it was bloody amazing. My partner ordered the steak and that was good too for starters. I’d recommend the cheesy garlic bread as it was to die for. Views over coober pedy were stunning. Would recommend 100% if you’re visiting.

Dinner with a view—and a side of existential joy Stopped by The Big Winch for dinner and left wondering if I’d just eaten my way into a higher plane of existence. We ordered the pesto pasta and the grilled chicken burger, which I’m convinced were cooked by someone who made a blood pact with the flavor gods. The pesto pasta was so good I briefly considered proposing to it. Fresh, herby, and just the right amount of garlic to make you question your relationships. The grilled chicken burger? Juicy, crispy, and stacked like it was trying to win a bodybuilding competition. I took one bite and forgot my PIN number. Washed it all down with an Asahi and a Guinness, because why choose between light and dark when you can have both and pretend you’re sophisticated? The staff were legends—friendly, fast, and didn’t judge me when I tried to lick the plate. Bonus points for the view: you can sip your beer while watching the sun set over a landscape that looks like Mars if Mars had better hospitality. 10/10 would eat here again. Might even move in.

It's absolutely stunning. Suggest you drive from Coober Pedy along the dog fence first and then onto the lookouts. The first allows you to grasp the size and sparcenest of the lands in front of you but, make sure you give yourself time to get to the 2nd lookout and watch the stunning changes in colour across the landscape but be sure to look up and if there are clouds this is where the magic happens. Simply stunning, and in my 40 years of remote travel, I have never seen anything similar. Highly recommended.

📸 Remote Beauty Worth the Drive This spot is perfect for capturing stunning scenic photos, offering a raw and untouched landscape that’s a dream for outdoor enthusiasts. However, be prepared—the access road is completely unsealed and can be tricky to navigate. A 4WD is not really needed, but recommend to reach the location safely, especially if you’re planning a trip after rain or during dry, dusty conditions. Rugged, but rewarding.

The Kanku-Break­aways Con­ser­va­tion Park cov­ers almost 15,000 hectares fea­tur­ing majes­tic arid scenery. The area is home to almost 60 native flo­ra species includ­ing aca­cias, mallee and ere­mophil­ia. It is also home to a vari­ety of wildlife, includ­ing red kan­ga­roos, euro, echid­na, numer­ous bird species and the fat-tailed dun­nart (a mouse-like marsupial). The Kanku-Break­aways Con­ser­va­tion Park forms part of the tra­di­tion­al coun­try of the Antakir­in­ja Matun­t­jara Yankun­yt­jat­jara peo­ple. It is owned by Antakir­in­ja Matu-Yankun­yt­jat­jara Abo­rig­i­nal Cor­po­ra­tion (AMY­AC). The park is under a unique co-man­age­ment agree­ment between the AMY­AC, Dis­trict Coun­cil of Coober Pedy and Depart­ment for Envi­ron­ment and Water (DEW).

We got up early and headed out to watch the sunrise. Breathtaking and we had the place to ourselves.

Self guided tour , 70 Klms round trip , Well worth it to see some amazing landscapes

Absolutely incredible scenery from the lookout, but even better on the drive through the park past the formations. Must visit if passing through the area! ig: adventure__unlimited yt: adventureunlimited

Great place just outside Cooper Pedy, highly recommend a visit. Great for the sunset

Such a great place to explore and get insight into the old mining practices in Coober Pedy. Tours are self guided and there is lots to see and the interpretation is very interesting. Kids had a ball finding all the different spots and reading the signs etc. No good if you have mobility issues - there are a few very low spots too that require bending over to walk through. Very interesting to see the old dug out house all set up too. Gift shop on site and very friendly staff. We also visited the Umoona mine and it's with doing both as they are quite different experiences.

Great value for money and such a good way to learn about the history of Opal mining in Coober Pedy, while walking through a real underground mine. Owner very informative. Really enjoyed our visit and then fossicking in the pit out the front for our own little pieces of Opal. Highly recommend this place for everyone!

Absolutely loved our visit to the Old Timber Mine in Coober Pedy! 💎⛏️ It's such a cool spot packed with history and charm. The self-guided tour through the old tunnels was awesome — I felt like stepping back in time ⏳🕳️. There are so many interesting displays, tools, and stories to check out 🛠️📜. The underground living quarters were fascinating 🛏️🏠 — can’t believe people lived like that! Everything was super well-maintained ✨, with helpful signs and info boards 🪧. The staff were lovely and welcoming too! 😄👍 If you're in Coober Pedy, don’t miss this underground treasure ⚒️💯 Highly recommend for families, adventurers, and history buffs alike! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🧭📚

Ample parking, nice noodling pit outside, kids were able to find some nice stones. Self guided tour, well laid out and numbered. Lots of things to see. We spent about an hour inside. Good souvenir selection from affordable to eye opening.

Awesome experience going through the underground mine and house. Makes you appreciate life now after seeing how life was back in the old days. Recommend to anyone to have a look. Well worth it.

Such an amazing little experience. Only $15 to explore the original mines, how they were formed and used back when they were first opened. A tour Into the homes that are carved into rock and also souvenir shop with some stunning jewellery

A great way to see an underground mine and living quarters, with an interesting display of historical information. The friendly hosts made us very welcome, lots of opal jewellery for sale, as well as souvenirs. A very nice museum and exemple of troglodyte house can be also visited.

Great place if you visit Coober Pedy. There's a free museum with a lot of interesting information and a paid tour which we would highly recommend. Our tour guide Zoe was great. She had plenty of information about living underground and opal mining even adding in some really interesting and funny personal stories. We also rented UV lights here to go noodling in the public pit. The next day we came back to hand back the torches and to let them have a look at our rocks (some had a bit of opal). His explanation about what we found and what we could do with it was great as we had no clue what we found exactly. All in all highly recommended this place if you're in Coober Pedy!

This is a Must-visit attraction in Coober Pedy. Everything you need to know about Opals is here in this beautiful museum cum opal jewellery store. The entrance to the venue is free. There are guided tours with informative movies which operate 2-3 times daily and need booking. There's a huge amount of rich history of opal mining, works of traditional arts, paintings, depictions of cultural heritages and so on... exhibited everywhere you look, from showcases to all the walls of this underground museum. There's a jewellery shop located within, which sells varieties of opal jewelleries, paintings & souvenirs, etc. Incidentally, there's also a coffee machine located inside the jewellery store area, where you can grab a quick coffee/tea while looking around. But there ain't any toilets/wash rooms inside this venue. So when you arrive here, make sure you are not in a Rush! Thankfully, there are a few emergency exits though 🤣

I dare say every person who comes to this quirky town will visit this museum, and so they should, it is a lovely experience. For the life of me I will never understand why they don’t charge for entry, no one would blink to do so nor complain after! There is a tour that you must go on. We had the delightful Zoe who described her childhood, school, work, home, partner and general life here. It was. privilege to hear the absolute inside knowledge into growing up and living in this town. An excellent way to spend 2-3 hours.

Excellent museum and a must visit when in Coober Pedy. There's lots to see and interpretation to read as free entry. There's also a great mine tour and rooms of a traditional, and modern dug out. Our guide was very informative and it was fun to hear about how 80% of the population live in dugouts. We also did the Old Timers Mine tour and these complemented each other and were quite different. Very enjoyable. Our 4 kids loved it!

Guided tour was fantastic, tour guide was very friendly and informative. Loved seeing the modern day and older dugouts. Museum also has some great information and displays

Great place to learn about the history of one of the nature’s greatest creations in the world. Very interesting place and very lovely kind staff. Special thanks to our lovely Museum tour guide (her name starts with “Z” 😉) She explained so many interesting things about Coober Pedy & Opals and we instantly fell in love with that dry red desert 🏜️. The people we met were very friendly and so kind.. Already decided to visit back and hoping to see those beautiful nice friends and places again.. Thanks again for such a wonderful hospitality & welcoming us warmly.. - from T’gon Vic- 😇

Well set up museum related to history of Opal production with plenty of free parking. Nothing free about their product range though with highly elevated prices for just about anything in their Opal and Jewelery shop.The Lady shop manager is a most unfriendly person, not well suited to her role Great for a look but I would look else where in town to secure your Gem purchases. Tour bus drivers have always enjoyed comissions here, how ever this occured under previous management but is quite possibly still the case. Go for the free of charge displays but look more towardsshops like "Opalios and Star Opal" for great Opal , fossil and Jewelery purchases.

The Catacomb Church in Coober Pedy is a remarkable testament to human ingenuity and spiritual devotion, uniquely situated within the opal-rich landscapes of South Australia. Carved into the sandstone during the 1970s, this underground Anglican church offers visitors a serene and contemplative environment, shielded from the harsh desert climate.   Upon entering, one is greeted by the church’s minimalist yet profound design. The natural rock walls, subtly illuminated, create an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence. Visitors have noted the church’s simple decor as “truly beautiful,” drawing parallels to the ancient catacombs of Rome .  A highlight for many is the warm hospitality extended by the church community. Personal tours led by the reverend or knowledgeable members provide deep insights into the church’s history and the broader context of Coober Pedy’s underground lifestyle . These interactions enrich the visitor experience, offering a personal touch that resonates with many.  The Catacomb Church stands as a symbol of adaptation, reflecting how the residents of Coober Pedy have harmoniously integrated their spiritual practices with the demands of their environment. It’s more than just a place of worship; it’s a cultural landmark that encapsulates the resilience and creativity of its community.  For those exploring the unique subterranean world of Coober Pedy, the Catacomb Church is an essential stop. Whether you’re drawn by faith, history, or architecture, this underground sanctuary offers a profound and memorable experience.

This is another iconic underground church to visit in Coober Pedy with a lot of history. After visiting Serbian Orthodox Church, we came here to have a look. It's an interesting place worth a visit if in Coober Pedy. It's about 2.5 km from the city and there is plenty of parking available.

A fantastic little underground church. Well worth the visit. Free entry!

We happened to be in Coober Pedy over Easter 2021 so it was fitting that we should go to a church - an underground church! We were the only ones there so that was a bunus, being able to read everything at leisure and take our time with the photos. Well worth a visit!

Catacomb Church of Coober Pedy Visited on 5/6/2019 On a sign board it says the church is "named after the Catacombs of Rome, where early Christians buried their dead and met undisturbed in times of persecution. Catacomb Church is an underground church dugout, with seating capacity around 100 people. It is cool all year round, without any air-conditioning system, except an electric pedestal fan. When it comes to oxygen supply, the church has simple ventilation shaft built into the rock to keep air flowing from the outside into the hall below.

Farther of the church was so welcoming and knowledgeable. It’s always a delight to talk with someone local. Thanks for all the information. Sorry we missed the Sunday sermon as we overslept.

I got some crazy motion in the catacombs straight two handsing it like shes was wrestling a croc, shit made me feel like steve irwin

The Serbian Orthodox Church in Coober Pedy, officially known as the Church of Saint Elijah the Prophet, is an extraordinary underground sanctuary that beautifully merges faith, culture, and the ingenuity of its community. Carved entirely into sandstone between 3 and 17 meters below the surface, this church is a must-see for anyone visiting Coober Pedy.  🕍 Architecture & Atmosphere Built in 1993 by Serbian Australians who settled in Coober Pedy as opal miners, the church was constructed underground to escape the region’s intense heat. The interior is a marvel, featuring a 30-meter-long nave with a 7-meter-high ceiling, all sculpted directly from the rock. The sandstone walls are adorned with intricate bas-reliefs of saints, and a stained-glass ceiling window bathes the space in a warm, ethereal glow. The glass iconostasis adds a unique touch to the sacred space.  Visitors often describe the church as serene and awe-inspiring. One reviewer noted, “The simplicity of the church emphasises the incredible amount of work done to create this beautiful space in a very short time.”  🙏 Experience & Accessibility The church complex includes a community hall, parish house, and religious school, all carved underground. While the church is active, services are currently limited due to the difficulty of securing a resident priest. However, the site remains open to visitors, with an entrance fee of $5 AUD. Parking is available on-site, and the church is easily accessible via a gently sloping corridor.   🌟 Final Thoughts Whether you’re drawn by spiritual curiosity, architectural interest, or the unique underground setting, the Serbian Orthodox Church in Coober Pedy offers a memorable and moving experience. Its combination of cultural heritage and natural beauty makes it a standout attraction in the Australian outback.  📍 Address: St Elijah Dr, Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723  🕒 Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 💰 Entry Fee: $5 AUD  🚗 Parking: Available on-site  📷 Photography: Permitted inside

Beautiful underground church - $5.00 donation to enter, cards and candles inside are $2.00. If you go up to the mezzanine florist you get a great view of the church and you can see the baptismal bath up there as well. Lovely church - don't miss it!

Hidden Underground Treasure! ⛪️🕯️⛏️ Wow! Visiting the Serbian Orthodox Church in Coober Pedy was an unforgettable experience! 🏜️✨ Tucked beneath the desert surface, this underground church is a peaceful and awe-inspiring masterpiece. Carved right into the sandstone 🪨, it was built in the early 1990s by the hardworking Serbian community 🛠️🇷🇸. The craftsmanship is simply stunning – from the hand-carved walls and archways to the beautiful stained glass windows 🌈🪟 and religious icons 🖼️. The whole space feels cool, quiet, and sacred… a perfect escape from the blazing outback sun ☀️🔥. It’s not just a church – it’s a symbol of culture, community, and Coober Pedy’s one-of-a-kind underground life 🌍🏠. Whether you're into history, architecture, spirituality, or just love discovering hidden gems, this spot is a MUST-SEE! 📍💯 Perfect for a peaceful moment, amazing photos 📸, and a deep appreciation for how people have adapted to life in the harsh Aussie outback. 🐪🇦🇺

This beautiful Serbian church is definitely worth a visit if in Coober Pedy. It's loaded with beautiful works of art and the history of the architecture involved in building it, etc. It is only a short drive from the city. When we visited, it was pretty empty with only a few people around. There's plenty of free parking available outside the church. There's a donation box on the entrance, and $5 donation is required.

⛪ Unmissable Gem in Coober Pedy This stunning church is an absolute must-see while visiting Coober Pedy. The atmosphere inside is serene and calming—a perfect place for quiet reflection. Architecturally, it’s a true masterpiece that beautifully reflects the town’s character and history.

A stunning and incredible place to see! Definitely worth a visit. Gorgeous stain glass windows and example of a modern dugout. Come prepared with cash to make a donation at the door.

Stunning church. Met the man who built it. Wonderful information on the church and Coober Pedy.

A beautiful, peaceful underground Catholic chapel in the centre of town. It is open 24/7. Entry is a golden coin donation into an honesty box. A highlight of my travels that I won't find anywhere else. Definitely worth a visit while in Coober Pedy.

Cute little church worth a visit. Door is always unlocked which makes you feel welcome (like an old style church). Make sure to donate!

Everything about Coober Pedy is amazing. The underground living is unique, with a great history and magic place. It's one of a kind.

Opened 24 hrs. Lovely church. Very quiet and peaceful.

Nice church, beautiful, underground was a different but inthralling experience. Lovely people, really interactive priest. Really connected to life like experiences. Close knit community. Enjoyable service.

Another beautiful church definitely worth a look

A wonderful experience reminded me of the catacombs. Father Paul was so hospitable and made you feel at home, such a different warm and intimate feeling to Churches built anywhere else.

Beautiful place. Stunning Opals. Beautiful people. Family owned and Opal miners for 40+ years. Would highly recommend stopping in on this lovely attraction. Like most businesses in Coober Pedy, Cash is required

went here with my family today (sunday) and had the best experience. the beautiful lady showed us all the opals and told us an amazing story of her and her husbands life in cooper pedy. she even let us see some of the opals in the back and some kangaroo dot painting art. the husband and her are two of the nicest people we’ve ever met. if you are a tourist or just driving by make sure to pop in and show some love. 10/10 recommend.

Absolutely fantastic place to go, the lovely lady was so helpful it was a pleasure to hear her talk about her life and the 55 years that she has lived in Coober Pedy.

Beautiful people with so much knowledge of Coober Pedy and their opals. The lovely lady was so patient with us whilst we chose our opals, we didn’t feel any pressure to purchase anything. Highly recommend visiting the big miner and if you wanted to buy some opals, buy them from here!

Came across this shop by accident and so glad we did. The owner spent a lot of time helping my wife choose some cut opals as well as some rough opal for her to practise cutting. He gave us a tour of his workshop and was only too happy to show us many magnificent opals that he has in his shop. We were very appreciative of his patience and his prices are very fair.

Such amazing people and very nice, walked me through the shop and it was unreal the detail that is spent on there wares

Very nice opal shop and friendly owner.

A beautiful little church sharing God’s love and God’s word.

(Translated by Google) It feels like a place for locals, not a tourist spot. (Original) 観光地ではなく、地元の人たちの場所って感じです