Traveling Through Coober Pedy

This small mining town has more character than Mad Max and Priscilla

Around town are a few reminders that Coober Pedy is a mining town. Here are a few of my favorites.

This blower stills runs at least twice each day. Not for mining opals, rather for mining dollars out of tourist pockets. It sits in front of the Old Timers Museum in town. The self guided tour is only $10, but with the brochure you can get in for $8.

Not only do they have broken down cars, but a spaceship in the middle of town. The ship is actually a movie prop from the film Pitch Black, which was shot locally.

Hands down, the best pizza I have had can be found in Coober Pedy at John's Pizza Bar. Located right in the heart of town on Hutchinson Street, this place has your normal pizza toppings, and then it has the "native" selection. I wasn't sure what to think of it, but went for the Coat of Arms Pizza. This pizza boasts Emu, Kangaroo then tops it off with spinach and Camembert Cheese. This pizza will change your life, it's that delicious.

I think rusted equipment is like lawn ornaments in Coober Pedy.

This guy was hanging out near The Big Winch, which sits on top of a great lookout spot over the rest of Coober Pedy.

The highlight of Coober Pedy lies behind Josephine's Gallery. You'll find the gallery near the corner of Seventeen Mile Road and Hutchinson St. The gallery does sell aboriginal art and Opal jewelry at reasonable prices, but the real gems are outback (Pun intended).

There is a couple who run a Kangaroo rehabilitation center which is outside just behind the gallery. Every day at noon and 5:30pm they feed the kangaroo's for a group of tourists to "oohhh and aahhh" over.

They get Kangaroo's from a variety of places. Some have been hit by cars and have facial and body scars to show for it. They also get the Joey's from Aboriginals who hunt the mother kangaroos for their meat. If they happen to have a joey inside, they let the kids play with it. When they see the Joey is looking a bit sickly the elders will offer it to the good people at Josephine's to care for.

And as if it couldn't get and better they let you hold the kangaroo's after they have just been fed. Everyone gets to hold them and it is truly a unique experience. It is also good for the Joey's to be held as much as possible, just like they would if they were still with their mom.

The 5:30pm Kangaroo feeding at Josephine's Gallery is a great way to end the day, right before heading off to John's Pizza for Dinner.