Coober Pedy: 1,600 Residents Vanish Underground, Build $277K Cave Mansions

After Sabrina’s morning in total darkness, she skips umbrellas—rain visits Coober Pedy less than ten times a year. Locals debate 'Is it cheaper to live underground?' and 'What’s the downside of cave homes?' as families dig for up to ten years, sometimes emerging only to marvel at the distant, sun-melted horizon. Sabrina admits, 'When I go on holiday, I’m exhausted by the busy, busy streets.'
Coober Pedy’s 1,600 residents escape 55C desert heat by tunneling $277K mansions underground—answering 'Why do people live in dugouts?' and 'How cool are cave homes?' with two spas, zero windows, and a sunrise-free sleep that baffles visiting city dwellers.