7 Hotels in Australia Where You Can Sleep Underground
Australia’s outback is a land of extremes, and in the summer months it can see summer temperatures in the 50s (Celsius). The outback also has many areas of intense opal mining, such as that of Coober Pedy and White Cliffs. Because of the mining, a small number of bold and entrepreneurial people have challenged themselves to live in this intense environment. How do they do it?
They live underground.
In fact, many old opal mines were converted into dugout homes, those of which maintain a cool and comfortable temperature year round.
Over the years, these unique habitats have become a tourist attraction, and anyone venturing to the outback of Australia will make it a requirement to stop in at Coober Pedy. There are even a number of unique underground hotels you can spend the night (or week) in to get a true taste of what life is like living in such a harsh and interesting environment.
Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy
The Desert Cave Hotel provides visitors with 4 star above and below ground accommodation in the outback town of Coober Pedy. The hotel features 50 suites, a pool, wifi and room service. In addition, there are convention facilities, the Crystal Cafe, Umberto’s Restaurant and even an underground bar and gaming room to enjoy during the stay.
Visit the official Desert Cave Hotel website.
Radeka Downunder Dugout Motel & Backpackers Inn, Coober Pedy
Radeka Downunder provides visitors all sorts of accommodation options (underground, of course) from motel rooms to dorm rooms for the backpackers.
Radeka’s is located right in the center of Coober Pedy, and was once an active working mine until its conversion in the 1980s.
Enjoy the on-site licensed bar, the pool table, games room and free parking.
Visit the official Radeka Downunder website.
Comfort INN Coober Pedy Experience Motel, Coober Pedy
Even the Comfort INN in Coober Pedy has underground rooms. Each room is individually decorated and fit out with a queen bed and at least another single for plenty of space. There is even free WiFi in this underground motel, which is surprising seeing how it is in the middle of nowhere and yet hotels in Sydney still lack this feature.
Visit the official Comfort INN Coober Pedy website.
Lookout Cave Motel, Coober Pedy
The Lookout Cave Motel has 19 underground guest rooms, but the main draw to this Coober Pedy motel would be the lookout from above the motel.
The lookout is the highest point in the town, so it provides brilliant sunrise and sunset views every day.
There are BBQ facilities, parking spaces and even WiFi at the Lookout Cave Motel.
Visit the official Lookout Cave Motel website.
Underground Motel, Coober Pedy
The Underground Motel was built back in 1984, and it would be the first one constructed in Coober Pedy at the time.
This motel has relaxation in mind, which you can do on one of the many verandas around the place.
In addition, there are bbq areas, a childrens play area and undercover parking to consider in this quaint Coober Pedy accommodation.
Visit the official Underground Motel website.
PJ’s Underground B&B, White Cliffs
PJ’s Underground is a premier 3.5 star bed and breakfast accommodation located underground in White Cliffs, NSW.
PJ’s features both underground suites and a self-contained, underground cottage. Being a bed and breakfast, it offers visitors fresh jams and homemade bread each morning.
You can also spend a good amount of time lounging and relaxing in the midst of a beautiful garden or with a good book from the library.
Photo to the left of White Cliffs area.
White Cliffs Underground Motel, White Cliffs
The White Cliffs Underground Motel is one of the biggest in the world featuring an onsite swimming pool, 30 unique rooms and a maze of corridors leading from one to another. There is a 3 course dinner cooked every night that guests are encouraged to take part in enjoying together, after which watching the sunset is definitely in order.
Visit the official White Cliffs Underground Motel website.
>> You can read more about White Cliffs and my stay in the Underground Motel. It is one of 6 special places to visit in outback NSW.
I could not find photos of all the accommodation to use in the article, so I inserted area shots. Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.