Curated field list
Self-Drive Day Trips from Coober Pedy
Load up the car and head out - the Breakaways, Moon Plain, the Dog Fence, historic opal fields and the long run to William Creek and Lake Eyre.
The country around Coober Pedy is as much the attraction as the town. These are the drives worth doing - from the easy, mostly-sealed loop out to the Breakaways, Moon Plain and the Dog Fence, to the historic Eight Mile field and Manguri Siding, and the bigger expeditions to the Painted Desert and William Creek on the edge of Lake Eyre.
Distances are real out here and many roads are unsealed and can close after rain. Fuel up in town, carry water and spares, check conditions, and tell someone your plans - see outback safety before you set off.
7 places in this collection
Map view
Day tripsKanku-Breakaways Conservation Park
Stunning Aboriginal-owned tablelands and colourful hills, 30 min north - unmissable at sunrise or sunset.
- Good with kids
Day tripsMoon Plain
A vast, lunar gibber-stone desert used as a film location - utterly otherworldly.
- Free
Day tripsThe Dog Fence (Dingo Fence)
See a stretch of the world's longest fence - 5,600km built to keep dingoes from the south-east.
- Free
Day tripsThe Eight Mile Opal Field
The rich historic opal field north of town where the world's most valuable opal was found - quirky sculptures, old diggings and a scattering of people still living out there.
Open field note
Day tripsManguri Siding
The remote rail siding 42km west of town where The Ghan stops - your chance to glimpse the legendary outback train on its run between Adelaide and Darwin.
Open field note
Day tripsPainted Desert (Arckaringa Hills)
Remote, multi-coloured hills about 2.5 hours away - a spectacular 4WD-friendly day trip.
Open field note
Day tripsWilliam Creek
One of Australia's smallest towns - a historic pub on the Oodnadatta Track and the gateway to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, about 167km east of Coober Pedy.
Open field note