The Lookout Cave Underground Motel
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The Lookout Cave Underground Motel
1141 McKenzie CL P.O. Box 79, Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723 Australia
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Room & Suite (128)
Dining (4)
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About
#1 of 3 motels in Coober Pedy
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Lookout Cave Underground Motel celebrates the quintessential underground architecture showcasing colourful sandstone rock while seamlessly incorporating the contemporary extras today’s traveler seeks. Set on a hillside overlooking town you can enjoy sweeping views and spectacular sunsets from the lookout. We have free wifi, BBQ facilities and a guest laundry with ample parking for large vehicles and trailers. Restaurants and shops are only a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk away to the center of town. All rooms feature private en-suite with toilet & shower and are equipped with breakfast crockery & cutlery, tea & coffee, toaster, kettle, bar fridge & 32" or 46" LED TV. Why not stay in your own private cave, we have 1 and 2 bedroom dugouts situated across the front of the property that include full kitchen facilities, smart tv’s, air-conditioning all with premium linen & towels.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Private check-in / check-out
Complimentary tea
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Room features
Blackout curtains
Desk
Housekeeping
Seating area
Clothes rack
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Walk-in shower
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Oven
Refrigerator
Stovetop
Electric kettle
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
City view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Greek
Location
1141 McKenzie CL P.O. Box 79, Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723 Australia
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 54 out of 100
54
Coober Pedy Airport
4.7 km•
See all flights
Rental Cars
10 Restaurants
within 1 kilometer
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We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
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Detailed Reviews
I stayed in the Queen apartment. It was a nice apartment and definitely unique staying underground. I was happy to find that this particular apartment opens directly outside with a private little patio area to sit and have a drink in the afternoon. It was a comfortable temperature inside all day and night. I woke quite warm several times, which was great considering the temperature outside was about 5 degrees! It was very quiet inside the bedrooms, the only noise you could hear was when people went up the stairs to watch the sunrise or sunset as the steps go directly over the top of the apartment. The kitchen area was very small, there's no pantry type cupboard in which to put your food etc. There were only 2 of us staying in the apartment and I found cooking etc to be pretty awkward when you had dishes etc also. There was a dishwasher, but we were only given 1 cleaning tablet for 5 nights, so had to wash everything by hand, which generally is not an issue, except for the lack of space to put a dish rack. There is no extra staple items in the kitchen, so be prepared to buy oil, salt and pepper, cling wrap etc or bring your own. There is a laundry where you can wash your clothes. It costs $5 for a load to wash, and then about $4-$5 to dry them. Overall, it was a nice place to stay. The shower was nice and warm, and the beds were OK to sleep in. The sunset from the viewing area is pretty amazing.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked the Doggers Cave for 2 nights on the 5th and the 6th of November
This accomodation, which has self contained apartments as well as motel rooms underground, sits at the top of a hill overlooking Cobber Pedy
The owner greeted us when we checked in, and as part of his welcome, he pulled out a map and made a lot of suggestions about what to see in the town and nearby, as well as letting us know which restaurants and attractions gave discounts when you showed your room key
He showed us to our apartment.
This self contained apartment was extremely well appointed, and was hand carved with equipment out of the rock to create a fantastic space. An extremely comfortable bed in a seperate bedroom, in a true rock cave. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you would need to prepare a meal, and there is a comfortable couch with a good aircon in the main room. The bathroom is spectacular and modern with a great walk in shower, which was well received at the end of a day exploring. There are also laundry facilities on site if required, though there is a reasonable charge for this
There are steps outside that you can walk up to the top of the hill and get an even better 360 degree view of Coober Pedy and surrounds, which is great for photos and watching the sunset
Overall we couldn’t be happier with our decision to stay here and would highly recommend this accommodation to anyone
This accomodation, which has self contained apartments as well as motel rooms underground, sits at the top of a hill overlooking Cobber Pedy
The owner greeted us when we checked in, and as part of his welcome, he pulled out a map and made a lot of suggestions about what to see in the town and nearby, as well as letting us know which restaurants and attractions gave discounts when you showed your room key
He showed us to our apartment.
This self contained apartment was extremely well appointed, and was hand carved with equipment out of the rock to create a fantastic space. An extremely comfortable bed in a seperate bedroom, in a true rock cave. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you would need to prepare a meal, and there is a comfortable couch with a good aircon in the main room. The bathroom is spectacular and modern with a great walk in shower, which was well received at the end of a day exploring. There are also laundry facilities on site if required, though there is a reasonable charge for this
There are steps outside that you can walk up to the top of the hill and get an even better 360 degree view of Coober Pedy and surrounds, which is great for photos and watching the sunset
Overall we couldn’t be happier with our decision to stay here and would highly recommend this accommodation to anyone
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â There is great parking even for cars with vans
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After initially planning to free camp in Coober Pedy we decided we would like a clean bed and a shower. We turned up mid afternoon and they had a room for us. They appreciated that we didn't book online with a big hotel website. It means the money stays with them and more importantly within Australia. For this they gave us $10 off which is big when you're travelling on a budget like us. The woman who checked us in was very friendly, informative, and welcoming. The room was excellent. Modern styling complemented the rugged stone walls of the underground room. Very comfortable. Wonderful shower. Laundry facilities available. We would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On arrival at Coober Pedy, I was surprised to note that we were unable to see anything until we were at our turn into the township. It reminded me of futuristic movies like Mad Max, Pitch Black and Priscilla The Queen of the Desert. On arrival at the Lookout Cave Underground Motel, I felt a bit more at ease as the rooms were equipped with modern facilities and the temperature was constant. The room was clean and tidy and the cave walls which made up the room was just stunning. The manager Mick was helpful and gave us lots of information on the various venues to dine in and also places of interest to visit, We had a great time visiting and learning about mining and the history of the town. A must visit for anyone living in Australia.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â Be aware that all rooms are underground so don't expect windows or balcony. It's a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are plenty of hotels with 'underground' rooms here, actually most have, however, this place deserves to be no 1. Since leaving Sydney and driving up north, this place had bathroom fixtures that no hotels with higher price tag on our drive had. The amenities are top notch, rooms and surrounding are really clean and tidy. The location beats other too, the view just from in front of the reception is beautiful. Finally, the place is indeed family run business and you can have a nice chat at the reception for any info any time
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Date of stay: June 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the pleasure of staying at the Lookout Cave on our way back from Uluru. We had always planned to stay in one Coober Pedy’s famous underground hotels on the way back home.
Check in was friendly and quick. The gentleman on reception highlighted the wifi details and where we could get a discount on meals.
I loved how the hotel had been updated with modern bathrooms, modern fixtures and decor. It just gave it that ‘fresh and new’ type feeling.
The beds were very comfortable, and the ceiling fan gave the room a comfortable temperature. The room was very clean, as was the bathroom.
There was a nice table and chair area outside. In addition, the motel was located on the edge of the main street of town on a hill. There was a stairway you could climb outside that took you on top of the hotel so you could look at the Coober Pedy sunset.
There was enough room for the cars and an overflow carpark allowed for camper trailers. There were a few trailers in the carpark. I think others had the same idea of camp on the way up/hotel on the way back.
All in all we loved this hotel and would recommend anyone to stay here for the underground experience.
Check in was friendly and quick. The gentleman on reception highlighted the wifi details and where we could get a discount on meals.
I loved how the hotel had been updated with modern bathrooms, modern fixtures and decor. It just gave it that ‘fresh and new’ type feeling.
The beds were very comfortable, and the ceiling fan gave the room a comfortable temperature. The room was very clean, as was the bathroom.
There was a nice table and chair area outside. In addition, the motel was located on the edge of the main street of town on a hill. There was a stairway you could climb outside that took you on top of the hotel so you could look at the Coober Pedy sunset.
There was enough room for the cars and an overflow carpark allowed for camper trailers. There were a few trailers in the carpark. I think others had the same idea of camp on the way up/hotel on the way back.
All in all we loved this hotel and would recommend anyone to stay here for the underground experience.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful clean rooms, great positioning on a hill to see the lovely sunset, fully contained kitchen, beds very comfortable, bathroom modern and very clean, loads of towels, aircon in main room and ceiling fans in both bedrooms and a very comfortable lounge although we never used it. Cheap laundromat service on site and above all the service by the family was wonderful. Such nice people and so friendly. Can’t recommend the service enough. Yes it’s built underground too which makes it unique. I stayed in the queens room which really was stunning for a motel. Don’t think twice if you want better quality accommodation in Coober pedy.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is hands down one of the best places we have stayed at at this price point (or not even at this price point, just full stop).
We first stayed here in August 2020 when we were driving to the NT as we were moving there. As we stopped to get a photo at the very edge of Coober Pedy, our car died and we managed to get it to The Lookout Cave before saying goodbye to it forever. This was an extremely stressful time for us, we had never been anywhere this remote before and our car was full of our belongings! We had only booked one night, and it looked like we were going to be stuck in Coober Pedy for at least two nights.
Well, Sam and her parents who run the place, couldn't have been more helpful or welcoming. We were lucky that they were able to rebook our room for the extra nights, and they didn't appear at all put out that our dead car was taking up space in their car park and we spent most of our time rearranging our belongings in said car park! As there are no taxis in Coober Pedy, they gave us and our many belongings that we had stuffed into boxes from the local supermarket, a lift into town so we could catch the bus to the NT. They did this at no charge. Basically, they were a huge comfort in what was a very overwhelming situation, and we've never forgotten it. That's why it was a given that we would stay here again on our way back from the NT.
We were blown away by how awesome the place was the first time - the rooms are super clean, modern and very comfortable. Just as great the second time, only this time we were able to relax and enjoy our time there so it was even better. I'm pretty sure the bed was the best we've ever had in a hotel, and the pillows were top notch as well. Lying there in pure pitch black darkness at night was magical, and even better when I woke up at 7:50am and it still felt like the middle of the night!
Can't really fault the place at all except for a couple of minor things: although the shower is gorgeous, water does cover the bathroom all over when it's used. Also, we may have just been unlucky to have had inconsiderate people staying the same night as us but we could hear the long and progressively drunken conversations they were having outside our room in the communal hallway area very clearly (perhaps they were just extra loud or noise just travels more because of being underground). There were quite a few people staying the same night as us, and every time someone shut the door their room the noise of the doors being shut/slammed emanated throughout. This got really annoying after a while. Still five stars for service and comfort.
Amazing room, amazing service, best bed ever, super fast wifi for the middle of the desert, great recommendations and knowledge of the area, free parking and great view of the town. We won't be in Coober Pedy again any time soon but if we ever do return we will 100% be staying here and heartily recommend it to anyone.
We first stayed here in August 2020 when we were driving to the NT as we were moving there. As we stopped to get a photo at the very edge of Coober Pedy, our car died and we managed to get it to The Lookout Cave before saying goodbye to it forever. This was an extremely stressful time for us, we had never been anywhere this remote before and our car was full of our belongings! We had only booked one night, and it looked like we were going to be stuck in Coober Pedy for at least two nights.
Well, Sam and her parents who run the place, couldn't have been more helpful or welcoming. We were lucky that they were able to rebook our room for the extra nights, and they didn't appear at all put out that our dead car was taking up space in their car park and we spent most of our time rearranging our belongings in said car park! As there are no taxis in Coober Pedy, they gave us and our many belongings that we had stuffed into boxes from the local supermarket, a lift into town so we could catch the bus to the NT. They did this at no charge. Basically, they were a huge comfort in what was a very overwhelming situation, and we've never forgotten it. That's why it was a given that we would stay here again on our way back from the NT.
We were blown away by how awesome the place was the first time - the rooms are super clean, modern and very comfortable. Just as great the second time, only this time we were able to relax and enjoy our time there so it was even better. I'm pretty sure the bed was the best we've ever had in a hotel, and the pillows were top notch as well. Lying there in pure pitch black darkness at night was magical, and even better when I woke up at 7:50am and it still felt like the middle of the night!
Can't really fault the place at all except for a couple of minor things: although the shower is gorgeous, water does cover the bathroom all over when it's used. Also, we may have just been unlucky to have had inconsiderate people staying the same night as us but we could hear the long and progressively drunken conversations they were having outside our room in the communal hallway area very clearly (perhaps they were just extra loud or noise just travels more because of being underground). There were quite a few people staying the same night as us, and every time someone shut the door their room the noise of the doors being shut/slammed emanated throughout. This got really annoying after a while. Still five stars for service and comfort.
Amazing room, amazing service, best bed ever, super fast wifi for the middle of the desert, great recommendations and knowledge of the area, free parking and great view of the town. We won't be in Coober Pedy again any time soon but if we ever do return we will 100% be staying here and heartily recommend it to anyone.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful and hospitable from the moment of check in. The little details count here from the quality of toilet paper and products supplied in room to the experience of the room including the cleanliness and crispness of linen. The bathroom is well appointed. I cannot rate or recommend this hotel for the experience and consideration taken to ensure your stay is awesome!
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel was clean, quiet and very comfortable. The lovely man at reception was welcoming and so very helpful ( printing travel permits and making sure we had everything we needed) It was a great experience to stay underground and the rooms had kettle etc which was good. The view over Coober Pedy was great- and the hotel less than 1 km to the town centre. Highly recommend it.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We paid $133.00 per night in April and LOVED it. There is parking and I am sure the lovely owners will be happy to accommodate a caravan. there was a very long vehicle with big trailer parked there while we stayed. The motel is clean, comfortable and a great experience. Climb up the steps and pathway to the "roof" at sunset and enjoy the view. I highly recommended staying there.
Yes our dugouts have kitchen facilities and there are also free BBQ facilities onsite available for all to use. The 3 dugouts that have kitchen facilities are our Queen Apartment, Miners Dugout or Budget Dugout. All rooms are available to view at our website.
If you have any further queries call and speak to our front desk staff who are happy to answer any questions.
Hi there...we are approx 1.5km's from the Visitor Information Centre. I am guessing it would take the average person around 20-25 minutes.
Hi there,
Yes the motel grounds are pet friendly but we have only one specific room allocated for this. It is the Miners Dugout 2 unit which is a 1 bedroom self contained underground unit. It is completely separate from the rest of the Motel and there is an additional charge for a pet as we use special cleaning solutions if a pet has been there. We strictly prohibit any pets in the bedroom.
If you have any queries please contact us by phone.
…
LOCATION
AustraliaSouth AustraliaCoober Pedy
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Lookout Cave Underground Motel
Which popular attractions are close to The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Nearby attractions include Faye's Underground Home (1.0 km), Old Timers Mine (0.6 km), and Opalios (1.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and reduced mobility rooms.
Which room amenities are available at The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and blackout curtains.
What food & drink options are available at The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Guests can enjoy complimentary tea and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Conveniently located restaurants include John's Pizza Bar & Restaurant, Big Winch 360 Cafe & Wine Bar, and Downunder Gallery and Cafe.
Is The Lookout Cave Underground Motel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.9 km away from the centre of Coober Pedy.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Greek.
Are there any historical sites close to The Lookout Cave Underground Motel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Big Miner (1.5 km) and Opal Bug (0.3 km).
Does The Lookout Cave Underground Motel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the city view available here.
Is The Lookout Cave Underground Motel accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.