In our modern world, less and fewer people seem inclined to live in small towns or villages. There has been a slow migration of people from the farm communities that used to make up so much of our country. More and more people are leaving behind the small town life in favor of the big city and all the amenities it can offer. Growing up in a small farming community myself, I know what it’s like to want to see the world and experience new things outside the confines of your hometown. Sometimes though, your hometown is so cool and unique, that you just don’t ever want to leave. If I lived in the town of Coober Pedy, Australia I don’t know if I would want to live anywhere else!
In this area of Australia, harsh weather and mineral wealth mean one thing: life is better lived in the underground city of Coober Pedy.
Welcome to Coober Pedy. It looks like your typical outback town. It relies heavily on the tourism industry for its survival.
The town is in the middle of nowhere, and you wouldn’t think it’s anything special, but it holds a crazy secret!
The town is lined with unique art projects and different creations.
You will notice an absence of people though, which would be a creepy thing at first.
The reason for that is because the people of this town live mostly underground! Even their churches are located beneath the dirt.
I never thought I would say that eating underground sounded cool, but I would totally come eat here just for the novelty.
This is what your bedroom underground might look like if you lived in this place. Doesn’t look to bad to be honest.
Aside from being blistering hot during the day time, the temperature drops to below freezing at night. People are warned to stay inside because of the cold temperatures and the lack of lighting makes it easy to fall into these unmarked shafts.
Using the natural landscape around them, many of the homes built by the residents are carved directly into the stone walls.
The rocks help keep the internal temperature stable. It also gives the whole town the look of a movie set.
Looking out across the outback every night wouldn’t be a bad way to end the day.
If you get claustrophobic, I would think twice about paying this place a visit though.
You would never guess this town held such an amazing secret from just looking at it.
This place looks like it would be incredibly interesting to visit. Living underground would be a crazy experience, but if nuclear war ever breaks out these people have a leg up on everyone already. Living in a climate like this wouldn’t be easy to adapt to. These people have learned to work with their environment though, and it seems like they have no problem with where they at. Hopefully one day I will be fortunate enough to visit this amazing place.