The Best Hotels to Book in Coober Pedy, South Australia

The family-run Desert Cave Hotel walks between two worlds: guests can stay above ground in a hotel encased in stone from the nearby Moon Plain, or underground in a spacious private cavern – the natural patterns of the sandstone perfectly complementing the crisp linen and white tiles of the ensuite and the modern luxuries of the room. Back on terra firma, you can cool off in the pool or hop on a day tour to delve deeper into this fascinating place.

Not only is the Mut Hut Motel surrounded by the iconic red soil of the Australian outback – it’s also made of it. Built from ecofriendly rammed earth which gives the walls a unique red hue, this above-ground motel offers guests a private space to unwind, with air conditioning, heating, kitchens/kitchenettes and parking right outside your room. Within walking distance of the local attractions, Mud Hut Motel offers free airport transfers for guests and is pet- and family-friendly, with rooms and apartments sleeping up to four.

Carved into the side of a rocky hill rising out of the desert a few kilometres east of town, Underground Bed and Breakfast offers some of the quirkiest dugout accommodation in the area – stay in an individually styled, comforting subterranean cocoon and relax in a lounge decorated with the story of the ancient rocks that made this funky outback retreat. Back on the surface, you can chill in the kitchen and outdoor entertaining area – where the corrugated iron facade and wood-burning stove add some extra pizzazz to this fun underground enclave.

Set in sweeping grounds dotted with palm trees on the outskirts of town, Stuart Range Outback Resort has both caravan and camping sites with a shared kitchen and TV room for intrepid explorers, and self-catered air-conditioned apartments – with your own private laundry facilities – for those who fancy a little break from outback life. Visitors without their own transport can also enjoy a stay here, with free airport pick-up and daily guided bus tours of Coober Pedy and the Breakaways running throughout the high season, between April and October. There’s also an on-site pizza restaurant and bottle shop, an opal shop and art gallery and a playground for the kids.

Offering what must be the most unique Comfort Inn experience in the world – and some of the best accommodation in Coober Pedy – the aptly named Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience is located almost entirely in the subterranean sandstone caverns and chambers of an old opal mine dating back to 1918. The accommodation is home to the entertainingly named Soft Rock Cafe and an Aboriginal Women’s Art Gallery, as well as offering ensuite rooms with kitchenettes and a fully kitted-out two-bedroom apartment, a book swap library and board games to borrow. Guests can even explore the old mining tunnels with their exposed opal seams.

Dug by hand in the ’70s and lovingly styled with rock mosaics and timber, Di’s two holiday caves offer a unique taste of luxury local living on the outskirts of Coober Pedy. Sleeping up to nine, Di’s Place is a complete three-bedroom home – while Dinky Di’s is a lovely two-bed for four. Both homes have laundry and full kitchens, along with lovely outdoor areas with a barbecue – and even windows to let the desert light flow into the living areas, a truly magical dugout addition.

Conveniently located across from the information centre and the coach drop-off spot, the Opal Inn Hotel is a friendly one-stop shop, offering accommodation, a bistro, two bars, a bottle shop and day tours. Rocking a retro vibe, rooms here are a welcome and cooling break from the elements – complete with fridges and air conditioning – while campers will love the grassy spots and powered sites.