The Painted Desert

You can get there by 2WD but a 4wd is better as the road can get a bit ordinary. Basically they are coloured sandstone. Worth seeing, but not a good drive if thats all you go to see as there isn't much else out there.

We checked it out on our way from Cadney Homestead Roadhouse to Oodnadatta.

The road into painted desert is quite good. if you have come along the Oodnadatta Track the the road is no worse than this

If you want a place to stay then the property owners have camping and donga accomidation

Peter S

Painted Desert is a cool place.

But, you have to get out there before the sun comes up (best) and also be there before the sun goes down for the sunset.

Also there is the Breakaways nearer to Coober Pedy that is also pretty cool.

Here's some shots of both places (the cool sky is sunrise at Breakaways or should I say breathaways). Vivid Adventures Painted Desert Gallery.

The track in to Painted Desert is probably passable in 2WD so long as it is not wet if you drive carefully - particularly the last little bit into the car park has a couple of steepish jumpups, and perhaps a couple of creek crossings (generally dry).

Breakaways is absolutely fine in a 2WD although normal gravel road observations apply.

Cheers
Andrew.

I've nothing to add other than to say I'm taking a trip of 12 vehicles to the PD leaving tomorrow morning. : ))

Saw it for the first time last week. 2WD would be a rough ride. Worthwhile ? It's a stunning piece of landscape, but it depends where you're travelling from. From Coober Pedy the Breakaways (which are virtually the same landscape) are much easier to reach, are arguably more stunning and bigger. From the Oodnadatta Track, if you're already there why wouldn't you see everything that the country has to offer. NB: the Hema maps show the Painted Desert to be 45km from Oodnadatta, Wrong! The turn-off is 45km, the Painted desert is another 40km along the track. It's worth noting that another few km along and there's a Station campground, wish we'd known about it before setting up the CT in Oodnadatta then racing out to the Painted desert to catch the sunset.

Easy as to get there,,,,

Wait till you look at the " moon plane " and do a walk/fossick along one of the turnoffs ( all marked )

If bitumen is your forte, then go up from Pt Augusta, head for Alice Springs, Turn right at Cadney Park Roadhouse and approx. 80 km of the good dirt road, will put you at Arkaringa Station, where they have gr8 camping facilities, showers, laundry,and Air conditioned huts, if you need them.

Mt Batterby Lookout, and the " Painted Desert " is just another 14 km up the road.

They even supply firewood, and have an undercover cooking area.
Just loved our stay.

You can also get there from Oodnadatta, turn off is just a little on the south side, take the road to Cooper Peedy, and turn right off to Arkaringa Station some 100 km along the CP road..

You can contact Arkasinga Station
Ph/Fax,,, ( 08 ) 86 707 992

Email,,, arkaringa.pastoral@bigpond.com

And if you get the chance to accompany the manager on a " water trough run ", jump at it

Cheers
Bucky

Georgiegirl,

I believe both locations are unique in their own right.

If you are limited for time, the Breakaways are readily accessible as a short drive from Coober Pedy. You get a great view of the "moon plains" from the lookout.

Better still though, is to drive down the track onto the plains themselves. It is both eerie and spectacular. You see what appears to be lakes shimmering in the distance, only to find vast stretches of gypsum deposits. If you continue along the track across the Moon Plains (where many scenes from Mad Max was filmed) you will be on the Dog Fence Scenic Tourist Drive and will eventually join up with the Oodnadatta Road. Turn left to head out to Oodnadatta and the Mount Barry turnoff to the Painted Desert in the Arkaringa Hills, or turn right to head back to Coober Pedy.

This trek is easily achievable in a normal 2WD vehicle (unless it has rained) and is an easy days achievement if you dawdle.

How to get there?
Head out on the Stuart Highway (bitumen) for about 25 km until you see the turnoff sign for the Breakaways. The lookouts are about 15 km along a good dirt road. Proceed down the decline onto the Moon Plains and drive along the Dog Fence until you reach the Oodnadatta road. From memory, you turn left and drive towards Oodnadatta a little to experience "crossing over" to the "unprotected wild interior", before turning around and heading back to Coober Pedy and a nice cool beer.