Explore our extensive underground museum at no cost and discover the fascinating history of opal mining in Coober Pedy. The Umoona Museum offers a unique journey through time, showcasing authentic mining equipment, Aboriginal cultural heritage displays, and detailed exhibits on opal formation geology.
Our museum features the award-winning "Story of Opal" documentary, screened in our underground cinema, which provides an immersive look at how opals form over millions of years. The documentary explains why Coober Pedy produces some of the world's finest opals and the incredible conditions required to create these precious gemstones.
Walk through recreated underground living quarters to understand how early miners lived and worked in the outback. See original mining tools, historical photographs, and learn about the multicultural community that built this unique town. The museum also houses an impressive collection of opal specimens, from rough stones to polished gems, demonstrating the remarkable variety of colors and patterns found in Australian opals.
The underground museum maintains a comfortable temperature of 22-24°C year-round, providing a welcome escape from the desert heat. Open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm, entry is completely free. Our knowledgeable staff are always available to answer questions and share stories about Coober Pedy's rich mining heritage.