Coober Pedy Stopover on the Stuart Highway

Coober Pedy is the natural halfway break on the Adelaide–Uluru/Alice Springs drive — and it’s far more than a fuel stop. Even on a tight schedule, it’s worth an overnight.

If you’ve only got a few hours

• Fuel up and refuel yourself — lunch at John’s Pizza Bar or the Outback Bar & Grill.
• The free museum at Umoona Opal Mine is a quick, brilliant intro to the town and opal.
• A photo at the Big Winch lookout and a browse of the opal shops.

Stay the night (recommended)

Break the long drive and sleep underground — a genuine bucket-list experience. With an afternoon and evening you can add the Breakaways at sunset and a relaxed dinner. See the one perfect day plan.

On the road

• Fill up before you leave — it’s a long way to the next fuel either direction.
• Carry water and check conditions if you detour onto unsealed roads.
• See outback safety before you set off.