Two photos and videos that almost completely summarise one of the most incredible trips I've taken within South Australia, almost right after I moved here to Australia. The trip to Coober-Pedy was in September 2020, still during the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, we managed to get an underground hotel in the authentic Coober-Pedy style and stayed there for almost a week. We stayed at the 'Underground Motel'.

It's very difficult to describe Coober-Pedy in one or two words. It's an inhospitable place but it surprises with its originality and absolutely spectacular sunsets.

Here is a brief summary of this almost beatnik trip, made with a collection of snapshots and snippets, all captured  in these two small videos, by my mobile phone. The two panoramas above were captured by my Nikon D800 with a wide angular lens. 

Two panoramic photographs taken on two consecutive days in September 2020, capturing the northern side of The Breakaways in Coober Pedy, South Australia.

With its rugged, barren landscape, the area looks almost otherworldly, resembling the surface of an alien planet. It's no surprise that The Breakaways have served as a filming location for several science fiction movies, including Pitch Black and Red Planet, whose striking red earth and sparse vegetation create the perfect extraterrestrial setting. The landscape also featured in the iconic film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

What impressed me most, however, were the sunsets and twilight skies. The light here is extraordinary, painting the horizon with endless shades of blue, violet, lilac and every imaginable hue of red. I was completely captivated the moment I arrived.

The climate is equally remarkable for its extremes. Even in September, temperatures around midday can climb to 36°C, making the cool, colourful evenings feel even more magical