FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The town, known as Coober Pedy, has a population of around 1,700. After 1900, the discovery of opals in the area saw the population increase dramatically to reach its current peak.
Opals are found in some of the dunes that surround Coober Pedy. These dunes were formed as part of extensive sand sheets made during the last ice age.
The word 'opal' comes from Greek and means 'dear one.' The town is also called Darling's Well. It was officially named after John Coober Pedy, who discovered the find in 1868.
Although John Coober Pedy is thought to have been born in Sydney, his wife Mary Ann Motherwell first gave birth to their son, named Albert William. This family subsequently moved to Coober Pedy, where they lived until 1912. The town was gazetted as a service center in 1877, then a goldfield in 1892, and an opal field in 1897.
The first mine shafts were sunk in 1899 by the Midland Opal Company. At that time, the population peaked at around 1,200 people. The following year, the first telephone line was put in place.
Five years later, the Central Australian Opal Company opened its mine shafts, and within a year, the population had dropped to 600 people. However, by 1903 it had recovered to 1,000 people and then it continued to rise steadily.
In 1924-25, Coober Pedy produced nearly half of all the opals mined in Australia, with some nine million carats being produced. The town continued its mining activities until 1955 when it closed down permanently due to a lack of water supply.
Coober Pedy is located at the northern end of South Australia, 540 mi (870 km) north of Adelaide, on the Stuart Highway.
Coober Pedy was the site of Australia's biggest opal strike, which occurred between 1880 and 1884.
The climate here is quite consistent and the change of weather has been discussed here.
Coober Pedy is one of the most important opal mining areas globally.
The Opal Capital of the world is not a place for people who like adventure and the multicultural community presence. It is a gateway to the Oodnadatta and William Creek communities. A mail run takes place from Coober Pedy to these communities and outback homesteads.
Apart from the interesting shopping experience in the Opal Shop, you can visit the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum, the perfect representation of Coober Pedy's Opal Mining Industry. It is safe to say that Umoona Opal is an award-winning museum. You may also want to visit the 13 Hutchison street - Three-Roomed Dugout, and nine Hutchison street - Coober Pedy Catholic Church, both of which are listed heritage sites.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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