A truly one-of-a-kind South Australian home with a fascinating history is up for grabs – and it even comes with a swimming pool in the living room.
In the mining town of Coober Pedy – also known as ‘Australia’s cheapest town’ – lies a gem known as ‘Faye’s Underground Home’.
The iconic underground abode was carved by Australia’s first female opal mine owner and industry trailblazer, Faye Nayler.
While an underground home may seem unusual in most Aussie suburbs, it makes perfect sense to Coober Pedy residents, many of whom are accustomed to not only working in mines but living in cave-like dwellings to escape the sweltering desert temperatures.
Faye, along with her two friends, painstakingly created the unique burrowed ‘dugout’ home, commencing the project in 1962.
Armed with nothing but picks, shovels and perseverance, the trio transformed the cave over a ten-year period into a sprawling three-bedroom house – even carving out an indoor, underground swimming pool adjacent to the lounge area.
As they built the property, the trio also continued to mine for precious gems on site.
Their labour of love was completed in 1972, and quickly became a local icon.
In the mining town of Coober Pedy lies the iconic property, Faye’s Underground Home
The fascinating cave-like home even boasts a huge swimming pool next to the living area
There are six main rooms in the underground home, including the dining area (pictured), three bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, bar, and that famous swimming pool
Faye’s Underground Home has since opened its doors to the public and operates as a living museum. On TripAdvisor, it’s currently ranked #3 for tourist attractions in Coober Pedy.
But after decades as a living museum and top-rated tourist spot, this intriguing property located at 25 Old Water Tank Road is now up for sale.
So what’s it like inside? The interior of the home is a time capsule of retro outback style.
The décor is frozen in the 60s and 70s, boasting stone walls, a vintage bar built from rocks, a lavish entertaining area, and of course that unmissable swimming pool.
At the time it was built, it was the first in-ground swimming pool constructed in Coober Pedy and takes up almost an entire room.
Even today, the oasis-like indoor pool remains a standout feature – decked with greenery and seating. It remains one of the few properties in the mining town to boast a pool.
There are six main rooms in the underground home: three bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge and dining area with a built-in bar, sprawling entertaining space, impressive wine cellar, and that famous swimming pool.
Other features include striking jade walls, custom cabinetry, and all the cave comforts that anyone who lives underground would need.
Australia’s first female opal mine owner and industry trailblazer, Faye Nayler (left), built the unique property with two friends. To this day, the home is a popular Coober Pedy tourist attraction (right)
The home décor is frozen in styles popular in the 60s and 70s, including a vintage bar built from rocks
The owners, who are now selling, have painstakingly preserved the property in its original condition – and hope the next owner will carry on this legacy
The property is set on a generous, fully fenced allotment with shedding, a carport and a desert garden.
Since operating as a museum, floods of tourists have paid the modest entry fee for a guided tour through the residence and the opal tunnels below.
The current owners have lovingly preserved the cave property since the early 1980s. They are now selling it through Andrews Property Regional, hoping a new custodian will continue its legacy.
For an investor, this surprising property presents an unusual proposition. It offers the opportunity to own a slice of outback history, a thriving business, and perhaps the coolest cave house in Australia.
Although an exact price isn’t listed, a price guide will be provided to interested parties, who can also book in for a private tour with the realtor.
This rare treasure is waiting for its next chapter – the only question is, who will be the one to take it there?
