Must see places Port Augusta / Coober Pedy

jdpatrol replied:

Stan

I’m sure everyone will have a different view, but I always prefer to travel north from Adelaide via Melrose / Wilmington, in preference to the main drag. You could then come down through Horrocks Pass to Pt Augusta.

I think Pt Augusta has major School of the Air and Flying Doctor bases. Good fishing in the area too.

Going north, seeing the triple road trains (they only operate north of Pt Augusta) is an experience. The moon scape south of Woomera is magnificent depending on the time of day etc. Woomera has a bit to interest the kids (rockets etc).

It may not be on your route but Roxby Downs is a bit of an 'oasis in the desert', mine tour worthwhile. You could then take Borefield Rd to Marree and onwards.

I haven’t managed to get to Cooper Pedy yet.

Enjoy
JD

Sand Man (SA) replied:

Stan,

You and the young fella are going to love the trip.

You haven't said if you are camping but I'll assume you are.

When you hit Coober Pedy, you have the option of camping or moteling.
I can recommend the Oasis Caravan Park. If you didn't want to set up camp, they also have cabins to stay in, but it would pay to book.
Alternatively, you can choose one of the Motels in town where you can sleep underground. Too many of these to recommend a single one.

You will no doubt want to go for a walk and by dropping in to the 5 star Desert Cave Hotel/Motel (for a drink of course) you can wander though an underground passage set up as a self escorted mine tour. (no charge)
There is also the Umoona Opal Mine & Museam in Hutchinson Street that is worth a visit if you have the time.

After leaving Coober Pedy, travel up the bitumen for 23 kilometers to the turn off for "The Breakaways". About 11 kilometers in you will come across a lookout that gives a great view over the Moon Plains. Leaving the lookout, follow the road down onto and across the Moon Plains. This is a spectacular experience. The road will take you along the Dog Fence and eventually bring you out onto the Kempe Road, the main road to Oodnadatta and the turnoff to the Painted Desert. (sign posted)
A good place to stay, is the Arkaringa Homestead where you will find a basic camp site with good amenities. The young couple who have recently taken over a caretaker role are really nice, (Richard and Gemma) and their big black friendly puppy dog, Charlie. Ignore, but watch the cat if you are BBQ'ing.
The homestead is within "spitting distance" of the two lookouts accessible from the road. Go to the lookouts towards dusk. One you drive up to, the other you park and walk up. (Really worthwhile)

Then you can continue on to Oodnadatta for a Oodnaburger at the Pink Roadhouse, before heading out the Daihousie Springs.

All roads are in good condition, saving for the one to Dalhousie, which I can't comment on because I didn't drive it.

How do I know all this?
I've just come back a couple of weeks ago.

You don't say where you are going from Dalhousie Springs, but if you head back along the Oodnadatta Track through William Creek to Marree, you will enjoy that part of the trip too.

I don't really need to wish you a great trip because I know you and the young fella will have one, but have a safe one as well.

Old Scalyback & denny replied:

goodday stan
a must on the way up is the museum at woomera the young fella willl enjoy it as there are rockets and planes etc out front and plenty to see and do inside

steve

Member - Lance S (VIC) replied:

A must see at Coober Pedy ( about 5 minutes out of C.P ) is Tom's working mine. My 3 kids loved it. We stayed at stuarts caravan park just off the highway and as the other guys have mentioned, the Woomera muesuem and Roxby Downs are a must see. We also visited a underground house for $10 a family and he showed how he started from a one bedroom house to a 4 bedroom house. Also the oasis hotel is a must, amazing.

Have a great trip

Lance

Member - vivien C (VIC) replied:

Stan,

When you leave Dalhousie and head down the Oodnadatta track there are lots of places to see. All along the track are the remains of the railway, bridges and buildings. I've only seen Lake Eyre South from the lookout but Lake Eyre can be accessed. You can get information at William Creek or Marree. One place to stop is Coward Springs where there is a campground and thermal pool which is wonderful for tired bodies and your boy would love it. Around that area there are many mound springs..Blanches Cup and The Bubbler are the easiest to see. Marree used to have a large population of Afghan cameleers and their descendants still remain...I think there may be a museum or memorial to them As well there is a small park where Tom Kruse the Birdsville Track Mailman's truck is there to see. Just a little further on from Marree is Farina ... ruins of an old mining town. The campground here is great, beside a creek bed and the sunsets and sunrises are suburb. When you near Leigh Creek you drive through the mountains of earth moved by the Leigh Creek Coal Mine...an amazing sight. By then you are heading into the Flinders Ranges and they are a trip in themselves.

I'm sure you and your son will have a great trip.

Best wishes
Viv

Member - vivien C (VIC) replied:

Hey Stan,

Just got my map out and read where you are heading. Sorry didn't read properly first time. You are in for a great trip. I've just got the book "Crossing the Dead Heart" out of the library and intend to read it over the week end.

Do you go from Dalhousie to Poeppels Corner and then north? My map doesn't even have a track there but just looked at the trek notes on exploroz.

Have a wonderful trip and I hope your son enjoys every minute of it.

Viv

Member - Stan (VIC) replied:

Thank you everyone for replies, they are very helpful. 5 more sleeps to go....

Barnesy replied:

Mount Remarkable NP has some good bushwalks, either Mambray or Alligator Gorge. Telowie Gorge CP has a healthy population of Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies, good chance to see one if you're quiet.

The drive from Adelaide through Clare, Gladstone, Jamestown, Melrose, Wilmington and through Horrock's Pass is a lot more enjoyable than the main highway.

You could maybe even make a slight detour through Quorn and visit Warren gorge if you want YFR Wallabies.

Barnesy

Dion replied:

Ride the Pichi Richi Railway between Quorn and Port Augusta

cheers

Dion

Brew69(SA) replied:

Port Augusta a bit like Melbourne. A pretty good road in but an even better one going out. :)

Al & Mrs Al (Vic) replied:

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but in Coober Pedy the Old Timers Mine is good value, my kids loved it, the Big Winch is interesting too, heading back up there on Aug 1, already counting the days.

have a great trip

Lyn