Outback South Australia

Our guide toOutback South Australia

Embark on an unforgettable road trip in Outback South Australia, driving through the Flinders Ranges, marvelling at Wilpena Pound and visiting the quirky town of Coober Pedy.

Here’s our pick of the best things to see and do in Outback South Australia.

Getting to Outback South Australia

Getting to Outback South Australia is part of the journey with a quintessential Australian road trip. From Adelaide, drive approximately 5 hours to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges to start your Outback South Australia experience. Alternatively, Regional Express flies regularly between Adelaide and Coober Pedy. Greyhound Australia offers regular coach transfers between Adelaide and most Outback South Australia major centres.

Top Things to do in Outback South Australia

Camping

Bring your sense of adventure for camping in Outback South Australia. One of the best spots to camp in South Australia is Wilpena Pound offering powered and unpowered campsites as well as luxury safari tents. Climb the ridge in the early morning and late afternoon and watch the sun rising and setting over the pound, a magnificent natural amphitheatre and the centrepiece of the Flinders Ranges National Park. Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary also offers powered and unpowered sites alongside the incredible Astronomical Observatory.

Conservation Park

One of the best things to do in Coober Pedy is visit the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park approximately 30km north of Coober Pedy. The Conservation Park takes in some of the most spectacular landscape in Outback South Australia with the best views from the main lookout or along the Dog Fence Scenic Tourist Drive Road.

Also check out South Australia’s incredible pink lakes while you’re touring the Outback.

Umoona Opal Mine and Museum

Coober Pedy is a quirky town not to be missed! Originally an opal mine, Umoona has been converted into the town’s largest single underground tourist attraction in Coober Pedy. A visit to Umoona includes a walk through the Museum, which details Aboriginal and European settlement of the area. Take a guided tour and see an underground living display home, learn about “The Story of Opal” an award-winning documentary and visit

Best Places to Stay in Outback South Australia

Whether you’re planning a family holiday road trip or adventurous couples getaway you’ll find the perfect Eyre Peninsula accommodation to suit your style and budget from Outback South Australia caravan parks and motels to glamping and luxury accommodation.

Luxury Accommodation

Be amazed by the spectacular scenery of the Flinders Rangers from safari tent style glamping accommodation at Ikara Safari Camp at Wilpena Pound. Arkaba Conservancy invites you to experience Wild Bush Luxury in the Flinders Ranges with five luxury guestrooms in a renovated homestead, add a walking safari in your stay to fully appreciate the landscape. Rawnsley Park Station offers self-contained secluded eco villas in the Flinders Ranges with views of Wilpena Pound.

Hotels

On a long road trip, a comfortable hotel is a welcoming sight. Prairie Hotel is one of Australia’s most awarded Outback hotels. Prairie Hotel offers quality room and legendary service from the Fargher family, the local station owners. In Coober Pedy there are a number of underground hotels including Desert Cave Hotel offering unique underground accommodation with the option to stay above ground and featuring resort style facilities such as outdoor swimming pool and onsite restaurant and café.

Motels

Motels are a great value option when road tripping from Adelaide to Darwin. Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience is a former working opal mine, transformed into an underground motel complex in the 90’s and a welcome oasis for travellers. Mud Hut Motel offers unique accommodation built of rammed earth in the style typically found in Outback Australia.

Where to eat in Outback South Australia

Unique cuisine, iconic pub food and local wine await in Outback South Australia. Go feral at The Prairie Hotel where you can dine on emu egg omelette and camel sausage. The infamous pit stop attracts travellers from far and wide for the ‘Feral Mixed Grill’ listed as one of the top Gourmet experiences in Australia! For more refined dining, feast in the Flinders at Arkaba Station using the finest South Australian produce to dine in style under the stars.

Tours and packages Outback South Australia

Explore Outback South Australia by air or land on an organised tour or charter. A scenic flight over Australia’s largest salt lake is near the top of the outback bucket list, so here’s everything you need to know to see Lake Eyre from the air, pardon the pun.

If you’re looking to explore Coober Pedy, Noble Tours Australia offers one of the best Coober Pedy tours and packages with 4WD Outback tours from Coober Pedy covering all the Coober Pedy highlights and attractions.