A mining town in Australia’s outback appears to be completely deserted, but its residents have escaped the scorching heat by living in underground caves. The town of Coober Pedy is home to over 1,500 people, as well as hotels, restaurants and churches, all of which are located up to 100ft below ground. “Coober Pedy is renowned for its below-ground residences, called dugouts, which are used to avoid the scorching daytime heat,” says photographer Abigail Varney, who visited the unusual town, located 846km north of Adelaide.
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
DINING under the stars, this restaurant takes you back in time - inside an ancient cave .
STRETCHING his little legs in the air, a smiley leaf-tailed gecko breaks free from his old, scaly skin .
With one hand rested on his belly and the other propping his head up, this lazy lizard takes an afternoon break .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
Pic By HotSpot Media - PARROT RIDES ON THE TUBE - THIS pretty boy could be forgiven for forgetting his Oyst-aaarrrgh-card .
Fetching a tiny carrot and a head-shaped snowball, a red squirrel builds the perfect snowman .
INSIDE Britain's last Naval hospital where scurvy was cured looks like an NHS time capsule .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
Blonde teen Jess Stubbs has certainly got girl power - as Britain’s youngest TRUCKER .