Coober Pedy’s ‘opal fever’ is still running high as Outback town prepares for its biggest event

Coober Pedy attracted more than 1000 miners hopeful of striking it lucky during its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. Even 40 years on, the Outback town’s “opal fever” remains alive and well.

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During Coober Pedy’s heyday, more than 1000 miners flocked to the Outback town from all over the country, eager to strike it lucky and dig up a fortune.

Locals say during the 1970s and 1980s, optimism was high, the town had a strong night-life and there was plenty of cash being splashed around.

These days, the fields are worked by a much smaller contingent of miners — but the town’s “opal fever” is very much alive and well.

Coober Pedy is preparing to host its annual Opal Festival next weekend, celebrating what sets it apart from other Outback towns.

John Dunstan is among its faithful miners, the landmark main street shop he shares with wife Yoka selling hundreds of pieces from the fields.

His father was a miner and it was under his influence that John cut his teeth in the industry while living in Andamooka, near Roxby Downs.

He was just 13 years old when he uncovered his first major piece of opal, which he sold for £120.

“I bought a pushbike and Canon camera and still had some change,” Mr Dunstan says.

“I thought, this is all right, finding this sort of money.

“What do I need to go to school for? I left school a year after that to go full time into opal mining.”

John and Yoka Dunstan from John & Yoka's Opal Art, Coober Pedy. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Mr Dunstan, now 78, says making a valuable find is “like a drug”, causing miners to chase the next big haul.

“You dig it out, you sell it and that’s it, you’re hooked,” he says.

“(But) most years you don’t find anything. It’s a tough business and it’s not for everyone.”

Mr Dunstan proudly displays a picture of his most valuable find — dubbed “Virgin Rainbow”, which is now housed in the South Australian Museum.

His partnership discovered the piece of cuttlefish bone in 2003; the 73-carat specimen valued at more than $1 million.

“We picked it up and cleaned it up and could see that it looked special but it still had a thick crust on it.”

As they took the outer layer off, its “blinding colours” came out.

Mr Dunstan recently starred on the Discovery Channel show Outback Opal Hunters, which travels to towns across Australia sharing miners’ stories.

He says it’s helped put his hometown of 51 years on the map.

John Dunstan has been mining in Coober Pedy for 51 years. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Down the road at Oliver Street Cafe — Caltex Outback, owner Peter Simatos says he came to Coober Pedy in 1973 in search of his fortune.

“My mate rang me up and said, ‘I’ve got a different idea for you — we’ll pick up all these millions in one year’,” he says.

“Forty-three years later, I’m still looking for them.”

The Coober Pedy of the 1970s was a very different place, Mr Simatos says, with about 6000 residents compared to the 1500 living there now.

“There were restaurants and night-life, and there were a lot of tourists,” he says.

“People were everywhere and there was plenty of money.

“People would throw money at musicians, and the money was thick on the floor.

“Those were the good old days.”

The town’s mining history will be celebrated on June 21-22, when it hosts its 31st opal festival with fireworks, a street parade, live music and a speedway event.

Coober Pedy Retail, Business and Tourism Association events co-ordinator Gai Di Donna says there will also be history displays and opal cutting demonstrations.

More than 1000 people are expected to attend.

“It boosts the region’s economy, with people staying longer and … venturing out to places like William Creek and Oodnadatta,” Mrs Di Donna says.

For more information, head to opalfestival.com.au/.