South Australia is full of strange places and the mining town of Coober Pedy is no exception. On first sight there isn’t much to see for a place billed the ‘opal capital of the world’. But that is for a very simple reason: it’s all underground. Due to the incredibly high temperatures in the area, the locals decided to escape to the coolness that underground dwelling affords. You’ll find houses, museums, art shops, mines and gemstone shops and even a church, all thriving just below the surface. Filmmakers love the site and in 1991 Wim Wenders made Until The End of the World here. In 1994, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert also used the town’s underground metropolis.
Nimbin
In New South Wales you can visit the town of Nimbin, an example of Australia’s handful of ‘alternative communities’ who work in a collective way to create a sustainable lifestyle. In reality it’s a hippy town, with easy access to marijuana and a thriving sub-culture and alternative vibe. You will almost certainly be approached with an offer to buy marijuana, so visit with this in mind. It’s different, it’s quirky, but not for everyone. It’s something of an oddity but worth a visit for those keen on new experiences.
Tin Horse Highway
Travel down the Tin Horse Highway in Kulin, Western Australia, for an odd vision. You’ll find, in an otherwise lifeless landscape, over a hundred horses, made from various bits of junk, scrap metal and lubricant tins. The quirky sculptures are full of humour and character, the highest standing at 5 metres tall. The idea for the tin horses was thought up by local people to attract attention to the yearly Kulin Bush Races, but has now become a tourist site in itself. An annual competition to judge the best horse, awarded on race day, ensures that there is never a shortage of new sculptures dotted around the roadways. It may seem a bit odd, but then that’s the Australia you’ll find if you venture off the beaten track…
Wycliffe Well
Wycliffe Well in the Northern Territory is famed for one thing: UFOs. It is considered one of the world’s five top UFO-spotting destinations. In fact, sightings are so commonplace to the locals that they have no awe left to describe the nightly show of lights. You are considered unlucky if you fail to spot a UFO during the night. Head on over and see what turns up. But there’s not much there, so fill up your car and bring food. If you don’t spot a UFO you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets and sunrises the Northern Territory is famed for.
The Big Potato
One of the many ‘big things’ you’ll find along Australia’s highways is the Big Potato in Robertson, New South Wales. It’s a sight to behold. It was built in 1977 by a local potato grower and sits uncomfortably on the main street at the eastern end of the town, measuring ten metres long and four metres wide. On first sight it lives up to its rather rude nickname, but it is a potato and the locals are rather attached to it. In 2010 it was attacked by guerilla artists who added a face to it, but indignant locals quickly removed it. The Big Potato is now surrounded by a park, so take a picnic and enjoy the view.
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