The Big Winch is the obligatory roadside curiosity at the top of the hill above the town centre — Australia's standard mid-century practice of building enormous concrete versions of local industry mascots. The viewing platform around its base gives the best wide-angle view over Coober Pedy: dugout roof-tops, slag heaps, and the slowly turning blades of the dog fence wind monitor.
The 360° degrees revolving viewing area, with multimedia displays, has been redeveloped over the past few years. Open during the day for a small entry fee. Best at sunset, when the rusty desert flares orange and Coober Pedy reveals just how strange it actually looks.