Painted Desert

David, to view the painted desert at its best, it should be viewed at either sunrise or sunset. Copper Hills is a worthwhile diversion and has a nice camp spot by the billabong.

Signman, The Painted desert is a well worthwhile trip - watch out for the perenties- fantastic scenery at any time of the day. Why not keep going east and have a beer at Oodnadatta, then return to CP the next day. The road between Oodnadatta and CP via the Painted Desert was excellent when we travelled it 2 years ago. Friday night at the Oodnadatta pub was a real eyeopener!!
Enjoy
Mal 1

We stayed at Coober Pedy last year for a few days after returning from Uluru. We went and did a day trip to the Painted Desert, well worth having a look at and walk around. We saw it during the day but as suggested, sunrise or sunset would probably be better if you wanted to make an overnight trip of it. We went up the road towards Oodnadatta, then turning back on the road to the Painted Desert, and then continuing on to Cadney Park at back to Coober. This is probably the loop you are refering to. Things of interest that I can recall along the way were Moon Plain, Lollipop Lane and Mount Arkaringa.

Don't know a lot about the other spots - have only driven through on a mission, but have stayed at Copper Hills - that is a treat if you like 'nature'. On a beautiful outback day with a clear blue sky, those creek lines with the white trunked gums and the green canopies are hard to beat. The 'copper' topped hills are everywhere (actually the petrified mud floor of an ancient sea) and are quite impressive - photographers and painters would delight in this area - me too. You can pick up jasper samples all over the place too.