Underground bookshop in Coober Pedy a local icon for more than 40 years
In a town famous for its underground way of life, few commercial properties are as iconic, or as rarely traded, as the underground bookshop at Lot 4 Post Office Hill in Coober Pedy.
Carved directly into the hillside, the property has operated beneath the earth’s surface for more than 40 years, becoming a well-known staple for locals and a must-see stop for visitors. According to selling agent Misty Mance of Andrews Property Regional SA, opportunities to purchase the site are exceptionally scarce.
“Everyone knows about it. The underground bookshop has been here for decades. It’s only had two owners in that time, so to have it come onto the market again is pretty special,” she said.
The property is configured to offer multiple income streams, with two distinct commercial spaces operating within the dugout. Alongside the original underground bookshop is a cafe tenancy, currently leased to a long-standing local operator known for its popular morning teas and coffee offering, earning $600 per month. The cafe is held on a one-year lease with annual renewal options, providing flexibility for future owners while maintaining a secure income base.
“That’s what makes it interesting as an investment,” Ms Mance said. “There’s definitely potential for two income-producing tenancies within the one property.”
Beyond its commercial credentials, the property is a striking example of Coober Pedy’s unique architectural response to its harsh desert climate. Dug into the earth to maintain a stable internal temperature year-round, the space reflects both necessity and ingenuity, offering a naturally cool environment long before modern air-conditioning systems were widely available.
“Back then, this was a smart way to run a business and stay comfortable in extreme heat.”
The floor plan includes a main entry that leads to a retail point-of-sale zone, with two separate rooms: one used as an office and the other as a stock storage area. The bookshop space could be used for retail, clothing, jewellery, massage and aroma therapies, gaming adventures or divided into office spaces according to Mance.
Interest in the listing has been strongest among local buyers so far, many of whom see potential to reimagine or further activate the space, alongside a smaller number of inquiries from outside the region.
“I’ve had several locals come through with inquiry, there’s also been some interest from people outside town who are drawn to how unique it is.”
The property is listed for $225,000, and it includes the land with the lease, the underground bookshop name and current stock at the time of sale is negotiable and separate from the sale.
