Coober Pedy, a remarkable outback town in South Australia, is renowned for its distinctive underground dwellings and facilities. This unique settlement, carved into the arid landscape, boasts subterranean homes, eateries, shops, churches and even walk-in mines, offering respite from the scorching desert heat.

Amidst this subterranean wonderland, the Opal Inn Hotel/Motel stands out as an aboveground establishment, providing over 65 rooms and more than 50 caravan sites.

Arriving late at night to the Opal in Coober Pedy, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome despite the hour. The receptionist, though clearly at the end of a long shift, maintained a friendly demeanour and efficiently processed my check-in.

My room was basic but this didn’t matter because I would be leaving early in the morning.So long as it was clean and comfortable. But there was an en suite bathroom,  hairdryer, direct dial telephone, TV, fridge and tea and coffee making facilities. It was clean and basically enough for me to sleep, have a coffee in the morning with cereal that I had with me and then hit the road. Having eaten on the road earlier, I didn’t go to the restaurant, it was a shower and sleep for me after a very long day

In the morning, rested and refreshed I was on the road again before the sun came over the horizon.