Gave thanks for our cheeky free nights accommodation in Port Augusta and hit the road towards the small mining town of Coober Pedy.

It didn't take long to feel like we were in the outback! the road there was 500km of nothing but red sand and dead trees. Occasionally passing other drivers we gave the obligatory outback wave, a raised index finger off the steering wheel, this wasn't just being polite and friendly but also felt and looked cool.

Eventually on the horizon Coober Pedy popped up out of nowhere. It's famous for its opal mines and underground housing. You can see all the mines on the way in to the town off the highway. The mines are still used today and even tourists can go and have a dig and a rummage (which they call noodling) through the stones in certain areas in hope of finding hidden jewels!

We arrived a bit late to see most of the attractions, but we did manage to walk up to the 'big winch' to add to our growing collection of 'big things'.

We should be coming back here on our way back down though so hopefully we'll have enough time to explore it then.